Friday, September 5, 2008

No Justice in Talibon Irrigation Dam Scandal

One of the problems confronting this country, aside from the unequal distribution of wealth, is the manner that justice is dispensed by the courts.

 Indeed, there is something about justice in the Philippines that makes people wonder if it is fast becoming an endangered specie.

 With the manner poor people routinely end up in prison – regardless of whether they are guilty or not – it is hardly surprising what kind of conclusion one arrives at as a consequence.

 This is not to denigrate the men and women who work faithfully and truthfully to dispense justice – and they are legion. Regardless of what people think, there are still many who face the mirror after a day's work with their dignity intact.

 The perception however remains.

 How people arrived at that perception, we can only surmise.

 It is not so much about how the poor almost always end up as losers. Rather, it is the manner in which the rich flaunt their clout that rubs off and leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

 If there is no justice in this country, the likes of ex-Cong. Romeo Jalosjos, former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez, Claudio Teehankee Jr., Hubert Webb, Ambet Antonio and Rolito Go would not have made Muntinlupa their home.

 And yet, even that would have to go through a wave of protests from people who would point out that their convictions were the consequence of intense pressure from media and the public and not because of efficient dispensation of justice.

 It doesn't help that otherwise respectable justices of the Court of Appeals and leading lawyers including the counsel of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo are making a fool of themselves in the investigation being conducted on the Meralco temporary restraining order snafu.

 One need not look very far though.

 Regardless of where one stands, the resolution of the majority panel that dropped the charges of rape with homicide against former Panglao Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan and two others leaves more questions than answers.

 It did not help that a leakage occurred when that controversial resolution came out. And it does not help that the majority panel took a long time in resolving the motion for reconsideration filed by the family of victim Vivian Dumaluan.

 Now, here comes the decision on the Talibon dam.

 The accused certainly have the right to declare that they have been vindicated. In the process however, it puts the justice system on trial. - Editorial, Sunday Post Newspaper

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