Laws in the Philippines are a dime a dozen, but implementing it seems to be last on the priority.
I read this in the Sunday Inquirer (January 9 2005) recently from Flor Lacanilao's High blood article(page A13). In this piece, she quoted the dean of the UP college of Law on traffic violations in the Philippines, "Laws are mere suggestions, compliance optional, punishment negotiable." Sad but almost always true.
Take the case of former congressman Romeo Jalosjos. This convicted child molestor is in the limelight again due to a proposal being floated by Malacanang and some members of the House. According to reports, Jalosjos might just get conditional pardon. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has admitted that pardon at this time may be too iffy for Jalosjos, who has not served the minimum sentence for two life terms he received for raping an 11-year-old. But the President has the last word, Gonzalez said; it is a political decision. The conditional pardon, they say is for humanitarian grounds as the former congressman is suffering from heart problems and require surgery.
This report shows the great divide between the haves and the have-nots in the Philippine society. Those who are rich and powerful can use their money and influence to bend the law to their advantage. Those who are poor, just rot in jail.
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2 comments:
sad talaga sa pilipinas... hay! just take erap for example, wala namang sakit sa tuhod 'yang lintik na 'yan when he was president ah! hmph!:(
ganyan naman d2 sa pinas, there are laws but how they are interpreted / applied differs if one is rich and powerful, if one is poor, if one is a muslim, etc... hindi pa rin tayo umaalis from a very parochial society. kaya siguro hindi tayo umuunlad... ang mga pinoy kc, mas gusto makalamang o makaisa.
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