PH justice system showcased as big joke
In the Oct. 4 Inquirer issue, columnist Solita Monsod took note of the very long delays in the resolution of cases under our justice system (“Can’t the same standard be used in Makati?” Opinion). Twenty years (or in not a few cases 30 years) would allow a person accused of a crime to either turn such delay to his advantage or unmitigated agony, depending on how deep or shallow his pocket is. The message being sent is—if one is corrupt, he should be more corrupt by stealing big in order to be able to hire the best lawyer his loot can buy.
Monsod cited the cases against Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family, where resourceful lawyers had a field day harassing the courts, including the Supreme Court, with dilatory tactics; and eventually getting what they wanted: dismissal of the cases on grounds of the denial of their right to speedy trial. On the other hand, a small-town lady mayor who was charged with misspending mere “barya” of government funds—and therefore had no such resources—ended up in jail despite the violation of her right to speedy trial.
We have heard it said so many times before from big-time crooks: We will answer the charges in due time and at the proper forum! By “proper forum,” they mean the courts where in this country cases can be made—if the accused is loaded with filthy lucre—to remain pending from 30 to 50 years under the guise of “due process”! The same can be said of the cases filed against lawmakers involved in the “pork barrel” scam. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to see how our justice system has become such a big joke!
—GEORGE DEL MAR,
