EDITORIAL - Road rage incident recalls Duterte-Carpio case

It would be interesting to know from Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales what the status is of the direct assault charge filed last year against Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio by the national organization of sheriffs for throwing several punches at a court sheriff.

The question is asked in light of a recent incident in which a tobacco company official slapped an MMDA traffic enforcer, an incident that saw the wheels of justice turning inordinately swift by comparison.

The comparison is made because of the many similarities in the case. Both incidents were against persons in authority and caught on video that, when posted on the Internet, went viral and drew wide condemnation against the attackers.

The comparison is also made because Carpio-Morales has shown a quickness to act, as in the Corona impeachment case. Since the Duterte-Carpio case was filed a year ago, it therefore would seem out of character for Carpio-Morales if the case turns out unresolved until now.

But that we do not know. That is why there is a need to find out from Carpio- Morales if the case is still alive or already resolved. Whatever fate may have befallen the Duterte-Carpio case, it would still be instructive either way in light of recent developments.

The slapping incident involving the tobacco company official and the MMDA traffic enforcer has captured the imagination of many. Newspapers have run human interest stories about the enforcer having to take care of six motherless daughters, and so on and so forth.

Conversely, the likely fate of the tobacco company official is already widely known and anticipated, even if his case has just been filed. He can lose his job, his driver’s license and faces the prospect of up to six years in jail.

It thus cannot be helped to be reminded of the Duterte-Carpio case. While the tobacco company official (a private citizen) merely hit the MMDA enforcer first with a cap and then with his open hand, Carpio-Duterte punched the court sheriff several times, with cops just looking.

Only by whatever update Carpio-Morales can give on the Duterte-Carpio case can Filipinos know the real score of justice in the country, whether the law applies equally or is selective, depending on who those involved might be.