On Pardoning the Magdalo Mutineers
April 17th, 2008 at 3:07 am (General, National Politics)
Once again, this country is in a crisis. The Arroyo administration is faced with the task of deciding on the fate of the so-called Magdalo mutineers. Now that the mutineers have been convicted, the palace, probably hoping to gain favors, is looking at pardoning the mutineers.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Editorial “Tough Decision” opposes the pardon of the mutineers:
But there’s no getting away from the reality, indeed the enormity, of what they did in July 2003. Some of the country’s most elite soldiers, with top-of-the-line equipment and superior training, rose in arms against the duly constituted authority and took over a luxury high-rise in the middle of the country’s prime business district. Regardless of the justness of some of their demands, their mutiny cannot be countenanced. Their kind of adventurism must be punished—or else it will erupt again.
Twice in the past two years the country came under threat from the same kind of military adventurism. Perhaps the inordinate length of the trial of the Magdalo soldiers may have been an additional factor in encouraging the latest adventurism—which is all the more reason then to uphold the court’s convictions. Behavior, psychologists will remind us, is reinforcement.
Time and time again, our justice system has been tested. Unfortunately, it has failed more than enough times. While Estrada was convicted, he was pardoned. And now, the mutineers who have been proved to have committed crimes (not petty crimes, mind you) might be pardoned for no good, logical reason.
How can this country and its citizens have faith in its justice system when it is mocked all the time? How can we sleep well at night knowing that criminals are not made to pay for their crimes? How can we be sure that those planning or at least thinking of doing GREAT injustices to the Filipino people will be deterred from doing so?
ASAN ANG HUSTISYA?
Related Posts:- The Continuing Saga of the Magdalo Group
- The Media vs The Government
- Does Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Even Think?
- Another Magdalo Uprising
- Magdalo Mutiny Part 2
blumaxx said,
April 26, 2008 at 6:31 am
all of these are a part of a bigger plan of GMA… her plans of charter change is just under her sleeves…her dream of President or Prime minister for life… ( sic ) dejavu on FM… anytime when she sees fit .. she will blow the whistle.. look at the supreme court .. ombudsman … almost 100 % are her appointees… we filipinoes are cowards… all we do is talk … no action.. we always play it safe.. not making a commitment for our future generations.. what happened to the Priest? langhya nung sinabi lang ni gloria na papatawan sila ng Buwis… nabahag na bayag nila… damn the religious sect damn the politician… damned are the filipino people..