This is in connection with former chief justice Artemio V. Panganiban’s column titled “Maguindanao massacre: acid test for justice system” (Opinion, 8/2/15).
The Philippine justice system has been notoriously known the world over as crawling very slowly like a snail that obviously defeats the cry for justice.
The irony of it all is that the Philippines is not lacking in intelligent, well-educated people—especially in government—to effect real judicial reforms. What keeps them from doing these reforms? Your guess is as good as mine.
Even before the now six-year-old Maguindanao massacre and the recent PNP SAF 44 massacre, there already was the 1983 Ninoy Aquino assassination.
Today, in 2015, or 32 long years later, the real masterminds remain unidentified.
Thus, no justice has been served the Aquino family. The eventual presidencies of Ninoy’s widow, Cory, and son, Noynoy, have not helped any in effecting real judicial reforms. The two administrations never bothered to initiate drastic reforms in the judiciary, and failed to closely coordinate and cooperate with Congress and the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the reforms initiated by the Supreme Court are all palliatives. The very much delayed—and frustrated—dispensation of justice in the Philippines today is a glaring proof of these palliatives.
If the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States can mandate a one-year trial and decision, why can’t the Philippines adopt it? Complex cases or not.
Criminals and the corrupt in government and in the private sector have been taking advantage of the slow wheels of justice in the Philippines. They have been doing their crimes with impunity!
The Supreme Court must work with the President and Congress to overhaul the judiciary. The Supreme Court must also clear its clogged dockets to lead by example. Credibility is the name of the game.
—MANUEL P. CALAUNAN,
Project 4, Quezon City