Tag: criminal justice

Philippines hopelessly divided under a government that stood for “UNITY”

March 23, 2025 Ramon Ortoll 4 Comments

In his recent Inquirer column, Randy David shares his views on the aftermath of the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. He cites the inutile state of the Philippines’ judicial system which “failed to hold Duterte accountable for the thousands of killings during his brutal drug war.” [Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s] acknowledgement of the…

Crime, Politics

Philippine Opposition bent on POLITICISING the Jonel Nuezca shooting incident

December 21, 2020 benign0 6 Comments

As expected, the Opposition led by the Yellowtards (the block within it loyal to the Aquino-Cojuangco clan) and the communists are seizing the opportunity to politicise the shooting incident that left Sonya and Frank Anthony Gregorio dead. The dishonest logic that underpins this politicisation campaign is all-too-familiar: (1) put up this isolated incident as sufficient…

Crime, Politics

Bad taste rules: Morbid photos of a dead Jeffrey Laude released by his family!

October 30, 2014October 30, 2014 benign0 34 Comments

So the reason Harry Roque, legal counsel for the family of slain Filipino transgender Jeffrey Laude, released photos of the victim’s body to the public is reportedly “to gain public sympathy for the case.” “It’s high time the Filipino people understand the family’s and Suselbeck’s sense of anger,” Roque said. In short, Roque confirms that…

Culture, Media, Society

3 core principles that should define a NATIONAL-SCALE Anti Pork Barrel Movement henceforth

June 12, 2014June 12, 2014 benign0 3 Comments

Seems the decision to hold the official presidential Independence Day celebration in Naga City, Camarines Sur was shrewdly-timed considering that a big anti-Pork rally is scheduled to be mounted in Luneta Park that same afternoon. According to an ABS-CBN News report, Philippine President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III used the occasion mainly to slam critics…

Crime, Government, Politics, Society

Raymond Fortun resignation as Cedric Lee mouthpiece highlights Pinoy dysfunction

February 17, 2014 benign0 32 Comments

Law practice in the Philippines quite simply is not that straightforward. Ask lawyer Raymond Fortun who recently resigned as spookesman for alleged Chinese mafiosi Cedric Lee who, together with starlet Deniece Cornejo, are accused of viciously mauling variety show host Vhong Navarro and framing him for rape. But Fortun has apparently been increasingly frustrated over…

Crime, Glitz and Glamour, Media, Politics, Society

Why pork barrel whistleblowers Benhur Luy and Ruby Tuason should go to jail

February 16, 2014 benign0 9 Comments

The fact that there are many whistleblowers and that the entire case the Department of Justice is mounting against several Philippine senators accused of plundering their pork barrel funds rests on these whistleblowers highlights the profound dysfunction of the country’s criminal investigation and criminal justice system. How many whistleblowers are needed to support the case?…

Crime, Media, Politics

Wouldn’t it be great to see handcuffed senators walked out of their homes by NBI agents?

August 20, 2013August 20, 2013 benign0 12 Comments

As indignation-fuelled momentum mounts in the lead-up to the planned “million people march” to the Luneta Grandstand at 9 a.m. on the 26th August, Monday, the obvious question What happens next? comes to mind owing to the immense challenge of bringing erring senators and House representatives to justice. The scale of the outrage over the…

Crime, Politics

Many Philippine politicians are corrupt because Filipinos allow it

August 17, 2013August 19, 2013 Ilda 127 Comments

Philippine society’s dysfunctional culture is evident yet again in the latest scandal involving some members of Philippine Congress and how they channel their Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) or “pork barrel funds” into bogus projects. The fact that a lot of Filipinos have predicted that the main character in this sorry saga, Janet Lim Napoles,…

Crime, Politics