unpopular

The Supreme Court made unpopular decisions as the days of 2010 dwindles. This unfortunate questions the impartiality and credibility of the judges who are the last resort to resolve important issues. They are the last guardians of the justice in the country, but it is as if justice had been blind for the wrong reasons.

Just recently, the Supreme Court decided that it is unconstitutional to create a Truth Commission that will investigate the corruption charges against the former president and now congresswoman, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It can be remembered that she appointed several members of the Supreme Court when she was still in power. People can’t help but wonder if politics had tainted the controversial decision.

And last week, the long-awaited Supreme court ruling about the Vizconde massacre ended with the despair howling and apparent breakdown of Mr. Lauro Vizconde. The prosecution failed to prove that the accused, Hubert Webb, et al, are NOT guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Public uproar followed, as people are blood thirsty that ‘someone’ should be punished to the brutal murder of the family. Making the perpetrators coming from influential and rich families will be for the best to give hope the majority poor Filipinos that justice is not just for the upper crust of the society.

If it is not Hubert Webb and his friends, then who are the murderers of the Vizconde? My heart goes with Mr. Lauro Vizconde. It is easy to say that there is justice beyond this life to appease him. But that is not a consolation, even the partial justice that some are saying that Hubert and his pals spent 15 years of their lives behind bars. It would be difficult to clear the dark clouds of doubt and suspicion to the justice system in the country. Justice was denied to the family of the victims, it happened to Mr. Vizconde, it can happen to anyone who is not rich in the Philippines. That is the sad, and somewhat scary truth.