Extraordinary measures

On the fifth anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre case -- a case that has not, to date, proceeded beyond the bail hearing phase, the SandiganBayan finally rendered a decision on the Ozone fire tragedy. After almost 19 years, it is finally done -- well nearly done, the respondents can still file an appeal with the Supreme Court. So the world record attempt can not as yet be submitted with the Guinness people -- proud to be Pinoy!

In the face of this absurdity, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Lourdes Sereno, has come out with the statement that the judiciary shall take extraordinary measures to ensure a speedy resolution of the Maguindanao case.

Well, excuse me Madame Chief Justice, but you are totally missing the point. We are not looking for extraordinary measures. What we, the common tax paying citizen of this godforsaken republic want, is for speedy trials to be a normal, regular, as to be expected, everyday occurrence -- not extraordinary. We don't want the courts to resolve that one case speedily. We want you to fix the judicial system so that crooks can not say "file a case" knowing that a mere arraignment - for us fools, nothing more than that phase where a defendant says either "guilty" or "not guilty" - can be delayed almost 2 months on the flimsiest excuse (one week not enough time to prepare).

Sadly, Ms. Chief Justice, the sure way to escape justice in this godforsaken republic, is to have them file a case in your courts. Our next (likely) president is banking on it. And when that unthinkable finally happens -- God help us all.
 


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