EDITORIAL — All hope is not lost

The conviction of cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. on graft charges arising from illegal disbursements made while he was still mayor of San Jose town in Dinagat Island in Surigao del Norte is not merely a triumph of justice.

The Sandiganbayan decision, which sentenced Ecleo to 30 years in prison, also signals the defeat of political power. And that is more important to Filipinos who have often wondered if there is a separate justice for the powerful and another for the weak.

Filipinos have often been haunted by this thought, which derives reinforcement from everyday happenings. For while there are only very few Ecleos, Jalosjoses and Sanchezes who have had their powers clipped, hundreds of Juans, Pedros and Joses have been extinguished.

Ecleo, who faces a separate case in Cebu arising from the murder of his wife, has often flaunted his influence even while still in jail awaiting trial. Every imaginable perk obtainable, including women in his cell, had been obtained with so much ease.

Those responsible for allowing these luxurious excesses in a facility whose nature and purpose is supposed to be punitive simply looked the other way when questioned. And when push came to shove, concerned jail officials were only too happy to be relieved.

There should be more of this kind of justice. There should be more instances of the powerful getting defeated. When expectations of justice are satisfied, people often become more patient with everything else.

It is no secret that the political leadership in this country leaves so much to be desired. And it is only natural that people thrust into such a situation can become frustrated enough as to actually leave and try their luck elsewhere, where the playing field is more level.

But there is a last remaining bottle of glue that can hold this nation together, a last line of defense that can inspire the frustrated to hang on for just a little while longer. And that is a functioning and trustworthy justice system. If this system works, all hope is not lost.