Monday, September 10, 2007 Seares: 'Justice' for Erap By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
IF Sandiganbayan convicts Joseph Estrada, there’s no justice. If he walks, justice is done.
That’s how he and his supporters look at the ruling the court issues Wednesday in the plunder case against the former president.
On the other side, the State, Erap’s enemies, and those who believe he’s guilty see things differently. Justice triumphs if convicted and justice falls if acquitted.
That’s what bugs us in clash or contest, be it litigation or election. The people chose well if one won. People’s will was frustrated if one lost.
Already, Erap is making the pitch that he sees Malacañang’s hand in a guilty verdict. The Palace wouldn’t wish to see Erap cleared, which would say his ouster and President Arroyo’s ascent rested on trumped-up charges.
Not that elections can’t be rigged or court rulings are fraud-free. The Garci tapes and the number of judges sacked show that justice can be lynched.
Yet, what institutions stay strong despite repeated battering?
Jitters
Already, there are fears of uprising by Erap’s followers. The nation had the same jitters when he was arrested in 2001. The Arroyo government is less shaky now than it was then.
People forget or don’t know Erap’s “terrible sins.” But people also have meager concern about miscarriage of justice.
How many times have justice been thwarted and yet people have merely watched? Edsa embers are cold.
Convict or free Erap. The fall-out can’t be worse than the toll of serial executions of petty offenders in Cebu City. Few lose sleep over the heap of unsolved murders and relentless assault on the justice system.
