On John Pope

Dear Editor:

Who is at fault?

We are so quick to condemn JOHN POPE for that gruesome and unforgivable act committed recently. But let us ask ourselves what drove him to do these acts. Was it insanity? Desperation may be a better answer. Is it not true that cases filed in the Palace of Justice would take 10, 15 or maybe 20 years to be resolved? Sometimes (if not all the time) cases outlive their litigants, bringing their unresolved cases to their GRAVES -- leaving a deep gushing wound to the ones left behind, a wound that not even time can heal. Cases such as malicious mischief, grave coercion, slight physical injuries etc. would take so long to be decided, bleeding the litigants TIME, MONEY, EFFORT and most of all the immeasurable suffering of emotions and sleepless nights.

Law abiding citizens file their cases in the hope that “JUSTICE” will be served swiftly. But, can we still call it “JUSTICE” after 10, 15, or 20 years?

Our Palace of Justice is for the PEOPLE, it is a place congregated by the supposed-to-be NOBLE, INTELLIGENT, DIGNIFIED, RESPECTABLE, and MORALLY UPRIGHT lawyers and judges, yet they can't seem to find a way to resolve cases the shortest way possible, they seem to enjoy the suffering and agony of the litigants. They fail to see and realize the need of the FILIPINO PEOPLE, and that is a SWIFT AND SPEEDY TRIAL.

As seen on the evening news right after the incident a lawyer said, “Wa kasabot si John Pope sa atong justice system diri.” Wait, in my own simple way of thinking, “Naa diay laing justice system ang atong beloved nga Philippines? O gapalain lang gyud ta aron ingnon.” Please give me some answers. Also, it is not only JOHN POPE ang wala kasabot, I think we have to open our hearts and minds -- it is the 'THE WHOLE FILIPINO NATION” who doesn't understand our justice system. However, we Filipinos are religious, we believe GOD will solve all our problems, and most of all we are extremely PATIENT. But we cannot be sure if there are no Filipino JOHN POPEs -- people who are probably more violent and ruthless. It would be safer and more peaceful if we face this problem squarely instead of finding faults. Let us stop fooling ourselves -- there is a “BIG PROBLEM IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM” and if we fail to address this then, let us brace ourselves for more JOHN POPEs inside and outside our courtrooms.

This is a lesson for all of us, a wake-up call to all.

May almighty bless us...

Respectfully,

J.H. Bual

Labangon, Cebu City