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Thursday, April 22, 2004
Wenceslao: Shocking decision
By BONG WENCESLAO
The report that the new judge handling the case of Ruben Ecleo Jr. is leaning towards allowing the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) “divine master” to post bail was a shocker. And this even if questions about the reputation and integrity of Regional Trial Court Judge Anacleto Caminade has already been raised.
It would appear now that the strategy of Ecleo’s lawyers to move for the inhibition of the judge previously handling the case has paid off. Labra was on the right track at that time, making sure that the reason for her allowing Ecleo to post bail—his health—would be subjected to deeper scrutiny. But she eventually backed off.
Then Caminade, without even completing the process Labra started, dismissed the prosecution’s motion for the court to reconsider the order allowing Ecleo to post bail. As a result, he set aside an earlier testimony of a doctor that Ecleo’s health was not a “time bomb” as earlier claimed. That doctor recommended further tests on Ecleo.
So what made Judge Caminade conclude that, yes, Ecleo’s health is problematic? What if, in the end, he is found healthy? My point is, the posting of bail should not be allowed hastily in this case given the violence that attended Ecleo’s arrest in the PBMA enclave in Dinagat Island. Or have we forgotten those killed in that incident?
I hope that, just like when Labra issued the order allowing Ecleo to post bail, concerned Cebuanos will speak out on this latest twist in the Ecleo case. I take it that the Crusade Against Violence will not take this sitting down. So too some militant groups that earlier picked up the issue in behalf of the relatives of the victim, Alona Bacolod.
Yes, the Bacolods. After a massacre perpetrated by a PBMA man, the remaining members of the family will again be suffering the pain of seeing Ecleo free to do what he wants. Then there, too, will be the fear. If they suffered even when the man was in jail, how much more when he is out of detention? And their only fault? To seek justice.
For those concerned with our judicial system, this is surely another reason to mourn. I think there are still Cebuanos out there who, despite some misgivings, are trying to view the system in a positive light. But Judge Caminade’s decision was like a black cloth covering that light, allowing negativism to expand its dominion.
P.S. As expected, the campaign in Cebu City has gotten hot only more than a couple of weeks before the May 10 elections. Mayor Tomas Osmena and his challenger, former mayor Alvin Garcia has exchanged claims and accusations. A texter, Cristian Malaki, seems interested more on the claims of supposed achievements.
Here’s his Text Reax contribution: “Tomas claims he has more projects than all the past mayors combined. Is he hallucinating again?”
No, he is just being Tomas. Actually, the mayor is finding it difficult to mention specific projects during his present term because these are few and were implemented only during this year probably to be able to secure funds for the election campaign out of the SOPs. So he is resorting to generalizations.
(e-mail: khanwens@yahoo.com; text: 0927-4912362)
(April 22, 2004 issue)
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