Editorial: Delay may breed danger

TIGHT security was implemented. Sufficient police personnel were deployed at the Hall of Justice. Fourteen members of the prosecutors from the Department of Justice Manila and other parties were all ready to argue.

Everyone was prepared. Kagay-anons and the entire Mindanao were all eyes on one of the most controversial scams that angered a good many. It was supposed to be decided upon.  

But to everyone’s shock and extreme dismay, the supposed arraignment of Jahcob “Coco” Rasuman, leader of NAD Auto Option Corporation, an investment firm allegedly behind a multi-million massive pyramiding scam in Lanao del Sur, was cancelled and moved to another schedule by the presiding judge.

In a short press conference, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edna Valenzuela, who heads the 14-member panel of prosecutors, said the arraignment was moved due to the pending motion filed by one of the respondents.

But to whatever reason it may be, let’s just hope that the delay of the supposed arraignment does not involve any “internal arrangement” in favor of the suspect who victimized a lot of investors all over Mindanao.

The delay of the arraignment may be due to some legal intentions that immensely involve the rule of law, but to quote Miguel de Cervantes, the famous Spanish author of Don Quixote, “Delay always breeds danger; and to protract a great design is often to ruin it.”