Legal profession must also clean up its own backyard

The recent news about Supreme Court Justice Arturo Brion and former Supreme Court Justice Eduardo Nachura standing as sponsors at the wedding of a daughter of a former congressman earlier convicted of murder underlines the fact that many criminals in the Philippines can hide in plain view and get protection by securing a public office. Here are some family names that have been mentioned in past headlines: Ampatuan, Arroyo, Ecleo, Jalosjos and, of course, Villarosa.

More research in media libraries can surely produce more examples of convicted criminals who have been able to evade justice by running for—and getting elected to—an office requiring public trust. No less than a former president has made it clear that the immunity accorded to a person for being a public official can be used to protect that person not just from prosecution but even from actual incarceration. One past Cabinet official who masterminded a fertilizer scam even had the gall to run for governor so he could continue to evade criminal prosecution. Many who now serve as public officials have deep, dark secrets that remain hidden only because their offices have the money and power to quash any inquiries and investigations.

But it looks like this may change with the “Daang Matuwid,” or straight path. Malacañang’s current occupant seems bent on holding criminals fully accountable, even if they try to hide behind a public office. This is a welcome development: If more such criminals can be convicted, sentenced and brought to jail, this will surely further boost President Aquino’s popularity and credibility.

As evidentiary trails lead closer to implicating congressional representatives, local government executives and even judicial luminaries in various crimes, most Filipinos appear to be wishing for more justice to be served. We hope that those guilty of mass murder and the wholesale plunder of public coffers can now be brought to full accountability.  Also, that the three branches of government can more assiduously effect the swift delivery of convictions and minimize the use of delays and technicalities in the pursuit of truth. Indeed, if there is one profession that needs to clean up its own backyard, it’s the legal profession. Too many lawyers today seem to relish being criminal defenders, such that it’s hard to distinguish if they are being simple lawyers or criminal accomplices.

The Filipino voter will do well to keep this in mind as elections draw near. Let’s not vote for any criminal who is aspiring for public office as a means to avoid being brought before the bar of justice.—JOSE OSIAS,

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