SC: Speedy justice, but more heads should roll!

That the Supreme Court sacked Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Vicente Roxas who wrote the highly-controversial decision declaring that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had no jurisdiction over the case of Meralco vs. GSIS gives us the impression that the Supreme Court wants to clear the name of the Judiciary. Justice Roxas was found guilty based on the findings of the three member fact-finding team of multiple violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct, grave misconduct, dishonesty, undue interest and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. Meanwhile, whistle blower Justice Jose Sabio Jr. was suspended because of simple misconduct.

Now that this controversy is behind us, what we’d like to see from the Supreme Court is a massive revamp of the CA. Already talks are ripe about that erring Cebu-based CA Justice, which gives fire to the smoke that the corruption in the CA wasn’t an isolated case… it is happening almost everywhere and we’d like to see the Supreme Court crack the whip on these so-called “Rogues in Robes.” I hope those heads would be the next to roll.

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We have two e-mailed letters in response to our articles last week. First we have this from Zenaida Relleta [email protected].

“I am glad that we have still some writers who are against the heresy of modernism and relativism. Writers who are steadfast in their belief in the traditional inspiration of the Holy Gospel. I really believe that our world is now in the so-called “end times” With all the angry nature such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc. and now the inner turmoil within the catholic church, I think that we are in the midst of the total darkness of the whole world and many souls are being led to their eternal damnation. Could you pls use your column Inside Cebu to remind some of our priests, religious and laity and especially the catholic educators and administrators to exert more effort to explain in more understandable way the dangers of the heresy of Modernism and Relativism. Thank you and more power!”

Our next letter writer is a familiar name, who wants to have peace between Christians and Muslims, through this very noble project.

“Dear Mr. Avila, Assalamu Alaykum (Peace be with You) I am Armand N. Nocum, a former reporter of the Inquirer and I recently put up a halal food business in Metro Manila to show that there is more to our Muslim brethren than just the Abu Sayyaf, the MNLF and the MILF. I and my Muslim Tausug wife Annora also believe that the food we introduce could somehow break down the wall of bias and indifference that some of us Christians have put up towards Muslims down South.

We figured that if food is the best way to a man’s heart, then exotic Muslim food – like the spicy Malaysian satti or satay we offer – could somehow give Filipinos here an appreciation of the unique gastronomic delight the less understood Muslims have to offer. Muslim food appreciation may bring understanding and respect of their religion, culture and norms. And we are happy that through the establishment of our small Satti Grill House outlets in SM Fairview Food Court and at M.H. del Pilar corner Padre Faura, Christian and Muslims are coming together. However, the recent outbreak of war in Mindanao has shown us that we should do more than offer Muslim food here.

This is the reason why we decided to start our Books-4-Guns project. We plan to flood Mindanao with used and new books, magazines, and all kinds of reading materials to open up the eyes of young Christians and Muslims there to the reality that they have a better future picking up a book than a gun. Although I’m a Christian and my wife is a Muslim who grew up in Zamboanga City and Sulu, respectively, we had a common experience of having many guns in our childhood but remembering books to be very rare. Old newspapers can only be read as they are brought home wrapped in dried fish bought from the city. We call our small project A-book-Saya Group (ASG).

Of course it is a play on the word Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) because we want to show how the giving of books could help stop one more potential terrorist or rebel from picking up guns or bombs. We’ll find fulfillment even if in our lifetime, our books could help stop only one or two potential terrorists from bombing civilians. Pls. help us disseminate our ASG project to the public. Initially, we have designated our Satti Grill House outlets in SM Fairview Food Court and at the corner of M.H. del Pilar and Padre Faura as drop-off points for the books. Later, we hope to tie up with newspapers, private and government firms to help take in the books. Donors may contact us through Nos. 7992745/3393732 or 09175208013/ 09195897879 or at www.sattisfaction.blogspot.com and [email protected].”

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For email responses to this article, write to [email protected]. Bobit Avila’s columns can also be accessed through www.philstar.com. He also hosts a weekly talkshow entitled, “Straight from the Sky” shown every Monday only in Metro Cebu on Channel 15 on SkyCable at 8 in the evening.