For democracy and freedom to reign in our country, there must be checks and balances within the three branches of government. If the national budget emanates from the executive department, it undergoes review and scrutiny to ensure our legislative power of oversight is in order. All presidential appointments pass the vetting process, too.
The Department of Justice is under the executive department. What former senator Leila de Lima is pleading is for President Marcos Jr. to remind government prosecutors of their job to ensure the speedy disposition of cases by not obstructing witnesses through technicalities. This way, we will be able to determine the truth as to whether a former secretary of justice/former head of the Commission on Human Rights/former senator elected by the people should be jailed for “accepting bribes” derived from the drug trade.
De Lima’s request is not a case of interference because it does not entail ordering the judge; it is about looking at the performance of the prosecutors.
Mr. Marcos must show that he is fair and upholds the core value of the courts in giving justice by seeing to it that justice is not delayed and justice must not be denied in De Lima’s case.
Albert Castañeda,
Naga City