Truth and Justice in the Philippines

A foreigner friend asked me--what now, Mr. Patricio, what is your take on the judicial system in your country? If I were to follow my principles as a Kabayani, I would probably tell this foreigner, it's fine. Its working perfectly well and I enjoy living in a perfectly normal and democratic society such as the one I have right now.


Crap. Bullshit.


The one that I am living under, is a system being manipulated by corrupt men, whose interests conflict with the national interest. Men of dubious character, men of sullied histories and men of such despicable interests rule these lands like feudal lords of old. 


Their only claim to fame is being more criminally minded than others. The more criminal your mind is, the more rewards you get from this discrepit and retrograding system. Rewards are given to those who can get billions from the public coffers without violating the law. Punishments are rendered to those not sophisticated enough to steal, and are quite ravenous in their thievery. 


That plea bargain agreement with Major General Carlos Garcia only shows you how twisted our system is. Imagine, you have a very strong case to prosecute this General and has, in fact, presented everything in court. Then, government had a change of heart and agreed to a plea bargain? What sort of stupidity is this, of the monumental order?


Allowing someone to keep 173 million out of 303 million just to get 130 million of looted funds? This reflects the policy of this new administration--get as much as half of the loot and allow the thief to run scot-free? 


So, this means, that if the Arroyos have, say more than a billion stashed somewhere, then, this administration would allow just 500 million pesos and the rest, the Arroyos can very well keep as their own? Half-half kumbaga? That probably explains why the Aquino administration has now de-activated the Truth Commission.


That is the criminal justice system--it favors the big-time moneyed criminals while letting those without any cent to rot in jails throughout the country. What about those suspects involved in Abadilla 5, those suspected of gunning down Col. Abadilla? They don't have enough money to prove their innocence. They rot in Muntinlupa, innocents all, but do not have enough money for their voices to be heard by a pragmatic mob. 


What about the famous Morong 43? Are'nt they released? They don't have money yet the government let them loose. 


Morong 43 is different. Their crimes are political, if you can call public service to the poor living in the uplands as a crime. 


Besides, they have the support of a huge organization, with one armed component, ready to strike back if government will not relent on this condition preceding a peace talk. 


What about those innocents who were finger-pointed by tainted witnesses and were hauled to jail by policemen as fast as they get monies from hapless victims? 


This explains why many people are so deathly afraid, not because the Law is rational and just. It is the injustice in our laws that make people afraid of our system and the brutality of our methods that make people less trustful of the system.


My good friend, Dante Jimenez, has just resigned from his post as Chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC). 


Jimenez does not believe in the criminal justice system anymore. He is now, according to him, looking for other "extra-legal means" to get justice.


I just remembered a few decades ago, when the Sparrows are still around. People were optimistic then that they can get justice. The Sparrows are quick. The Sparrows give people some semblance of Hope. Maybe it is high time to activate these birds for the sake of the People? 


By the way, Ka Dante will grace our regular Monday kapihan sa The Orange Place tomorrow, Monday. The Orange Place hotel is just a few meters away from EDSA. It is along Kamias Road. It starts at 9 in the morning and ends at 11am.


Attend this very historic event. There is something which will happen there which will shock every one.