EDITORIAL - Slapstick at the Sandiganbayan

When deposed President Joseph Estrada was arrested for the capital offense of plunder, there were high hopes that the unprecedented case would send the message that finally, the country meant business in its campaign against cronyism and corruption. Eight months after, however, it has become clear that in this country, there are miles to go between the filing of a criminal complaint and its resolution.

The trial has been delayed numerous times. Estrada’s place of detention stirred controversy. There were questions about the Sandiganbayan’s jurisdiction over the case, about the legality of Estrada’s ouster and the constitutionality of the law against plunder. Even as the Supreme Court deliberated on the questions, there was a sideshow at the Sandiganbayan: Presiding Justice Francis Garchitorena had an open feud with the justice handling the plunder case, Anacleto Badoy.

Garchitorena was the first to go, on orders of the Supreme Court. Badoy, who has been acting quirky since the celebrated case landed in his lap, later took a sick leave but returned soon after. The other day the Supreme Court announced that Badoy was "considered on leave until further orders" from the tribunal, pending resolution of a complaint filed against him by defense lawyers for improper conduct. Both government prosecutors and defense lawyers have said they wanted Badoy taken out of the case for good. Meanwhile, over at the lead government agency handling the case, Ombudsman Aniano Desierto is fending off an impeachment complaint.

Will this circus ever be over? Instead of a historic trial, we have been treated to slapstick. There have been enough distractions in this landmark case to make the people nearly forget the testimonies and evidence presented during Estrada’s impeachment trial. Now the despondent former president, needing some Christmas cheer, wants to spend the holidays with his family in San Juan. And Badoy’s division has suspended the trial till January. At the rate this case is going, it will take a lifetime to resolve.