“Criminals Out –Justice In”

By Zia Danica Marcos

“We want justice!!!”- These are the common words that you can hear from a rally. People
who are fighting for the truth and for their rights as Filipino citizens are hoping that the
government will stand and will listen to them. But what is the action taken by our
government? Does a simple press conference or interview from them enough to serene
the people and to inform them that the law exists? The bolder question is: Are there laws
that will uplift the truth and freedom for everyone?

The Philippines has national judicial system that would engage the right procedure of our
law. This national judicial system consists of four levels: local and regional trial courts;
informal local system for mediating certain disputes outside the formal court system;
national Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Our constitution calls for an independent
judiciary and defendants in criminal cases must undergo due process. The legal system is
based on common law and civil law. There is no jury system in our country. Every
defendant has the prerogative to confront witnesses, to present evidence and to appeal.

Our country is full of laws that will defend our human rights-RIGHTS to attain our
justice. But what is justice for the family of Lauro Vizconde? Most Filipinos are still
shocked on the decision of the Supreme Court to acquit Hubert Webb and six others on
the Vizconde Massacre case. I am referring to the crime that happened on June 30, 1991
when a mother and her two daughters were murdered in their own home. Estrellita
Vizconde 47, suffered 13 stab wounds; Carmela 18, suffered 17 stab wounds and had
been raped before she was killed; Jennifer 7, had 19 stab wounds. This was tagged as the
“Vizconde Massacre”, the gruesome crime grasp the nation for years. But after several
years, the Supreme Court acquitted the main suspects and stipulated that no more motions
for reconsideration would be entertained. Many Filipinos are still sympathizing for
Lauro Vizconde over this kind of ‘injustice’. Frankly speaking, that incident strongly
proves that justice is what poor cry for.

I am afraid that the same fate would happen on the Ampatuans, being notorious for
killing journalists and other people, the killing incident is popularly known as the
“Maguindanao Massacre”. This single incident had made the Philippines surpass Iraq as
the most dangerous place for journalists. Ampatuans are known as a powerful family in
Maguindanao. They ambushed the convoy of their fiercest rival, the Mangudadatus who
was about to file a certificate of candidacy. They brutally killed them and buried them
using a government owned backhoe. It’s been a year when the relatives of the victims
cried for justice. They have feared that it may also go into a two-decade long trial and
that Vizconde Massacre decision would happen again in their case in favor of the
Ampatuans.

On the other hand, I can say that the corruption in the Philippines is one of the most
prevalent practice of injustice. When the issue of “Pabaon System” was revealed by Lt.
Col. George Rabusa and former state auditor Heidi Mendoza, many people believed that
they are the key to reveal our rotten system. They named many influential people who
were also part of the corrupt system. One of them was former AFP Chief of staff,
Defense Secretary, and Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes. Reyes is one of the former AFP
chiefs who allegedly received P50 million according to the testimony of Lt. Col. Rabusa.
Angelo Reyes was known for being a dignified person. He was one of the promising
leaders who had shown his love for our country. But last February 8, 2011, Reyes
committed suicide by shooting himself on the chest at the front of his mother’s grave.
Many stories behind this suicide were circulated. They said that Reyes cannot take the
allegations and the destruction of his reputation. Some said that Reyes cannot take his
conscience from the Filipino soldiers who have sworn to defend their country and
sacrifice their lives to protect our country. But Angelo Reyes’ suicide must not stop the
Senate from its investigation. It is not all about the suicide of Angelo Reyes but it is for
the truth for the Filipinos.

Our justice system must have a speedy trial and not take the courts a long time to settle
cases. We must have an equal justice for everyone. We must demand authentic reforms in
our justice system to give confidence for the Filipinos that we have a fair justice system.
Our government must wake up and open their eyes to the things that they should do. Our
new administration must uphold the rights of the poor and less powerful people. We
should be open and extend our arms to support our laws to attain our freedom and to have
a peaceful living.