|
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Wenceslao: Of names and Judge Suerte
By Bong Wenceslao
I don’t know if there’s a relationship between a person’s name and his or her character and future. What difference would it make, say, if one’s family name is Dimalas and that of another is Debuenas? Will somebody named Love be true to the word? This thought visited my mind as I mulled over the fate of Judge Ildefonso Suerte.
Suerte’s name caught my attention months ago when a former town official, Romy Ejercito, submitted to the newsroom documents on the complaints he filed against the judge, the top gun of the Regional Trial Court in Barili. Those complaints didn’t stick, of course. Thus I reckoned the judge led a good life, more of debuenas than dimalas.
That seems to be changing, though. After he convicted Cedrick Devinadera, things seemed to no longer fall into place. The criticisms started off with a trickle, but now it has become a deluge. Many just found it incredulous that he would convict a man who claimed he was with Ben Bacolod when Ben killed his sister Alona Bacolod Ecleo.
There are many reasons why those involved in Devinadera’s conviction—the judge, the prosecutors and the supposed lawyer of the complainant, Alona’s distant relative Jaime—are receiving all the flak. For one, the conviction is too good to be true for the original suspect in the killing of Alona, her husband Ruben Ecleo Jr.
Then there are the questions. Why did all those involved in the Devinadera case act like they didn’t know about the Ecleo case? Why did they consider Jaime’s complaint when Alona still has close relatives to act as complainant? Why the haste in accepting Devinadera’s claim as true without going through the motions of verification?
Questions, questions. But perhaps the most telling one for Judge Suerte involves a Supreme Court administrative order. Why did he handle the Devinadera case when his superiors already told him to turn over all new cases in his sala to the assisting judge, Leopoldo Canete? With the High Court in the picture, Suerte’s fate seems doomed.
Now, the judge options are being limited. He was forced to let go of the Devinadera case upon the order of Deputy Court Administrator Cristopher Lock, who is leading the team investigating Suerte. Given the nature of Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., I doubt if the judge can escape a heavier penalty this time around. Dimalas?
But so much for Judge Suerte’s luck. With the recent development, we should now focus on the Department of Justice and what it will do to the other protagonists of this sordid tale, like prosecutors called Vicente (Manalac), Napoleon (Alburo) and yes, a Cezar (Tajanlangit). Will they be able to keep the greatness attached to their names?
P.S. If Sen. Aquilino Pimentel thinks he acted heroic when he filibustered during last Tuesday’s national canvassing of votes, he should read these Text Reax contributions:
Rod Suarez of Cebu City: “I can empathize with you on how Senator Pimentel has disgraced the noble cause he stood for during the years of infamy under martial rule.”
JP Molleno of Talisay City: “I was one of the millions of Filipinos who voted for Nene Pimentel, but now I am regretting doing so.”
Dell Sanchez: “You’re right. I really regretted voting for Pimentel. And not only regretted. I am even ashamed that I asked my wife to vote for him, too. He now sucks!”
Mr. Farmer: “What Pimentel should think about now is not Dagdag Bawas but Bawas Daldal.”
(e-mail: khanwens@yahoo.com; text: 0927-4912362)
(June 10, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
