THIS IS in reaction to the April 18 column of Solita Monsod in the Inquirer (“Doctrine of condonation reexamined”). We totally agree that it was silly of the Supreme Court to have adopted a doctrine that abets and rewards graft and corruption in government. Akala ko pa naman “brilliant minds” ang mga justices na ’yan! Here’s how Monsod breaks it down: Official steals big, gets obscenely rich, buys votes, wins reelection by hook or by crook! And the Supreme Court tells us that by virtue alone of his reelection all his shenanigans are wiped clean!
“Vox populi, vox Dei” is being thrown around as the possible justification. The voice of the people is the voice of God! So, if God chooses to look the other way and forgives the “kawatan,” who are we not to?
Monsod said this “crazy” ruling was used by the Court of Appeals as its excuse for issuing the writ of injunction which stopped investigators digging into the public records of Makati City dead in their tracks. But is not the Ombudsman Act of 1989 clear enough that only the Supreme Court can interfere with the Ombudsman’s exercise of jurisdiction?
Yet, the Court of Appeals did it anyway and the Supreme Court just looks on, taking its sweet time to decide what to do! In the meantime, sinusunog na siguro ang mga ebidensya! Ang gulo gulo talaga ng justice system natin!
—CHIN CHIN KATIGBAK,
cckatigbak@yahoo.com.ph