The Local Scene
by Vincent Ryan Ong

What is the percentage of innocent people being jailed in the Philippines? How many criminals are lurking freely in our streets just because someone is taking his place in the municipal jail? In this country where the judiciary system is relying almost solely on witnesses, what do you expect about the justice being served?

I often wonder why we can't be like other countries. We're not allowed to use DNA samples as evidence. We don't have complex systems of investigation. We don't use chemicals to unravel clues that might have been waiting for the right moment to appear. Why? It then dawned to me that I am looking from the wrong angle. In the first place, why does the police exist? They are currently in existence because there is a demand for them. This demand is dictated by the number of criminals this country has. Why then does the government abandon the search for complex solutions? It is because there is no need for it. Our criminals are not that wise, therefore, we don't need police geniuses. All we need for now are people who can run and can tackle another being. That's what our men in uniform are trained for.

I'm not saying that our police force is dumb. I'm just saying that we Filipinos live in a simple world that even our criminals are simple. Why can't they do their mischief without anyone being a potential witness? Why can't they use scientific methods to cover up their crime? Why can't they use better gadgets to rob banks? Why do they have to be so eager to do something bad without thinking of a contingency plan or a supporting plan? I am not encouraging our people to do these things, I am just pointing out the possibilities that they should have thought of. The things I mentioned above are not complex in its own sense. But believe me, if criminals do use such methods, our police force would have a helluva lot of thinking to do.

Now, let's go back to our methods in a trial. What does the Supreme Court or any other judiciary establishment in the country accept to prove that a certain individual or party is guilty? First and foremost, the all-mighty witnesses; secondly, the fatal weapon (or any equipment that is clearly related to the case); and lastly, some papers. They think this is enough... I don't. Witnesses can be bribed, they can lie, or they can be threatened. Yet they still remain the single most powerful force with regards to a court's decision. With them, the weapon used or the clear motive itself can be immaterial. And if the suspect is rich, he does not only "buy" the witness, he also includes the judge in his payroll just to be sure. The economic stability of our country makes it quite a logical (although not acceptable) action in the part of the judge and the witness.

With all these irregularities in this country, the death penalty has even managed to be approved at some point in time. The government was able to let go of lives due to the evidences that they deem to be sufficient enough. What if the one in the death row is innocent, framed by an unexpectedly intelligent witness? That life cannot be given back. Truly, absolute justice does not exist. No matter how good the methods used in investigation are. No matter how honest the witness and the judge is, justice is served by men alone, and as such, prone to miscalculations and errors. Therefore I can say that everyone is entitled to have justice, yet no one would be privileged enough to have it. Not in this country, and if it would be a consolation, not in others either.