| Philippine Justice What? And some opinions on today's events |
[Mar. 19th, 2009|02:47 pm] |
Convicted child rapist and former Philippine congressman Romeo Jalosjos was released Thursday. He was granted clemency by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007, thus lifting his two life term sentences. He served a total of only 12 years behind bars -- after raping an 11 year old girl.
I'm no expert in law, but it doesn't take a lawyer to say that something's not right about this.
The authorities at the Bureau of Corrections supposedly recognized Romeo Jalosjos' "good conduct" in jail and was recommended for a shorter jail term. Hmmm really? Or was it because he "donated" new prison facilities?
And why was he singled out for release? How about the other inmates there with unresolved cases or those other convicted rapists who've also been in "good conduct", why aren't they the ones given clemency?
Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), of all people(!), said they're okay with the release. To paraphrase what he said in the news, what he (Jalosjos) did was a personal crime anyway, and that it's enough that the justice system has shown that it does not favor anyone, be they rich and influential or poor.
So was this a show all along? Dante, I'm disappointed. We're not doing some dry run of our justice system here, the system is supposed to deliver cold hard justice! It's not there to prove something, it's precisely there to impose some things!
And rape is not a personal thing -- it's a crime! It's a public matter againts the state itself!
But I'm just ranting. I'm no law expert anyway.
All I can say is that this would strengthen the idea that the Philippine's justice system does indeed only favor the rich, famous, and influential. Shame, shame!
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In other news, "Nicole" of the Subic Rape Case recants her previous statment that she was raped by American G.I. Daniel Smith, who was given a guilty sentence a few years ago. That she wasn't sure about it because she may have been too drunk that night, and may have gotten too intimate with him, and that she may never have been raped at all.
Well, thanks to you Nicole! Thanks for making a mockery of your sympathizers, lawyers, courts, your countrymen, and our country! You've made everyone a fool for believing you.
Now enjoy your new life, now that you left the country.
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So three Ateneo de Manila University students were arrested this morning for robbing and threatening to kill a taxi driver.
Three Ateneo students. Crazy huh? What's next, De La Salle students robbing a jeepney driver?
I can't figure out why they would do that since these guys are from this famous exclusive school. A very rich school, I might add. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Were they just tripping? Too bad for them. When they were asked about the incident, of course they denied it -- in English of course. "I'm confused. I don't know what I'm doing here." said one guy.
The taxi driver and a witness positively identified them.
What an embarrassment! I'm sure these guys are good as expelled.
And all for what? Php 3,000.00 (US$62) and a mobile phone.
Like I said -- crazy, huh?
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