Battle is far from over

The decision of the Sandiganbayan to hold Imelda Marcos accountable for seven counts of graft came as a surprise, or so I suppose. Given the abominable sociopolitical culture that dominates this land, citizens can’t be blamed for being cynical.

We have become accustomed to witnessing how evil has prevailed, and the judicial verdict on an all-powerful figure in the person of Mrs. Marcos was like a candle that lighted our dark days.

Once hailed as the most powerful woman in the world, Mrs. Marcos is infamous for her extravagance. It was from her ways that the word “Imeldific,” which means ostentatiously extravagant, was derived.

Her parties during her husband’s rule were impressively grand, her myriad collection of shoes and jewelries a testament to how luxurious her life was back then.

In the midst of the suffering that was commonplace in ordinary Filipino homes, she had partaken in one of the most legendary plunders in history, living like a queen and knowing no limits.

She personified sheer abuse of power and lust for personal enrichment.

Almost 33 years ago, we had marched along Edsa to regain the freedom and democracy that were stolen from us in September 1972.

Now, our battle, it seems, is far from over — billions of pesos of assets have yet to be recovered by the government; a number of cases against the Marcoses are still pending before the courts, and many human rights victims have not been given justice.

And in light of the Philippine National Police’s pronouncement to take Mrs. Marcos’ age into consideration in case of her arrest, it is clear we could potentially end up losing the battle we have been fighting for decades.

As Sen. Chiz Escudero said, such a pronouncement is immaterial. The police force, being the de facto instrument of the judiciary in executing its decisions, must refrain from taking sides and do what is required. The police force’s partiality is the latest evidence of the continuing reign of impunity of the Marcoses and their ilk.

Yes, our freedom and democracy have long been restored, but all of what we enjoy now, I am afraid, will not make sense at all if those who had locked us up under an unforgiving dictatorship will not be brought to justice.

IAN CARLO L. ARAGON,
[email protected]