ETCETERA; Thoughts between the lines

  A few days ago, in one of the Senate Blue Ribbon hearings, Sen. Kiko vented his frustration with our justice system, citing the Napoles case. “Siguro kung ’ yung Napoles cases nauwi sa imbes na absuelto ay kulong, baka hindi na nangyari itong mas malaking kurakot.” In my blog, “The Napoles Template,” I mentioned the most likely defense of the principal accused: BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT , particularly in the cases filed by the Ombudsman that constitute Plunder. The concept of reasonable doubt is arguably the most fundamental safeguard in the criminal justice system, and in my opinion, it can be rightly characterized as the " escape hatch " for the many politicians who are soon to be accused and tried. Former CJ Sereno, in one of her speeches, said, “ The decision of the Sandiganbayan a few days ago, acquitting Senator Bong Revilla of the charge of plunder that encapsulates the most recent legal abomination that has been created in the last two years . It is a dagger st...

  The Napoles scam was a political horror show, but it was also a masterclass in how to beat the system. While many of us hoped it would be the start of a new era of accountability, it seems it was a preview of things to come. I'm calling it the "Napoles Template." Remember the three senators? They were all charged with plunder—a crime requiring the proof of amassing at least PhP 50 million in ill-gotten wealth. The outcome? They were all acquitted of the main charge, while the alleged mastermind, Janet Lim-Napoles, was convicted. The irony is not lost on us: the partners in the scam have been imprisoned while the politicians they worked with are now free. This is the playbook for the powerful. With an army of lawyers, they can exploit legal loopholes, create enough "reasonable doubt" to prevent a conviction, and delay the trial for years to exhaust prosecutors. So, what should our prosecutors and the Ombudsman do? I am not a lawyer nor an expert in legal...

  In Thoughts Between the Lines , I usually avoid writing about politics or religion—these topics are fiery, and people almost always hold opposing views. But sometimes, silence feels too much like indifference, and that’s not what a good citizen ought to be. So let me say this upfront: what follows is not political analysis, just one Filipino’s reflection—served with a bit of humor—on how recent events have unfolded. The denials were loud. “I’ve never been involved!” they declared. “This is baseless!” they swore. As the flood control scam unraveled—with trillions and billions of pesos and familiar names floating in the filth—the chorus of “hindi ako ‘yan!” was deafening , not to mention the highly acclaimed   Acting Award postures in both chambers . There’s just one tiny problem. The internet never forgets.   The curse wasn’t triggered by watchdogs or court hearings. It was delivered by videos, screenshots, memes, and a collective public memory sharper than an invest...