Sunday, July 27, 2008 Gueco: Innocence By Malu Gueco
WHAT a night of intrigue.
On June 12, 2008, around 2:00 a.m., former vice mayor Nelson C. Manuel, from Barangay Sucad, Apalit, Pampanga, was seated as a passenger inside the vehicle he rented for that day.
Bearing license plate ZLF-685, the car bore the brand mark of an Isuzu Crosswind painted with white color. Together with the vehicle driver (Romeo Manalo), they were calmly driving through Jose Abad Santos Avenue in the City of San Fernando.
They just came from the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) where they welcomed Korean Airline officials who came to visit our Clark Freeport Zone.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) flagged them down and accused them of possessing a carnapped vehicle.
Proving their innocence, Messrs. Nelson Manuel and Manalo presented the car's certificate of registration and official receipt.
Mr. Romeo C. Manalo, owner/driver, told the officers that he recently purchased the car on May 15, 2008.
Thereto, he acted in good faith and did not know it was a "hot" car and the documents were spurious.
Investigation on said matter followed. This is the outcome.
On June 17, 2008 the Department of Justice handed this resolution which absolved Nelson C. Manuel of all carnapping charges.
In part, the resolution stated:
"Respondent Nelson Manuel y Cabrera should not be charged as it clear from records at the bar that he is a mere passenger in the motor vehicle when he was arrested... That the charge... against Nelson Manuel y Cabrera be ordered dismissed..."
Worthily, this resolution clears the good name of former Vice Mayor Manuel. Penned by State Prosecutor ROMEO B. SENSON and approved by Chief State Prosecutor JOVENCITO R. ZUNO, it is a valuable proof/document.
"I am vindicated because I am innocent. Truth and total justice prevailed. I simply rented said vehicle to meet friends on the said night of June 12, 2008.
KUDOS to the Department of Justice for the speedy resolution of the matter.
Truly, they live up to their calling of fairness, accuracy and equality.
Dacal a salamat pu kareng Kabalen tamung magmalasakit. In those times of crisis, they voiced out their expression of support, sincerity and steadfastness. I vow to continue my work for integrity, common good, and public service."
Insight
Justice is derived from the Latin word "justitia" meaning righteousness or equity.
Balancing the scales of justice, we see how the law protects people who are innocent as seen in the above cited story.
Similar to a lighthouse, it lights up the way to fairness.
Vice versa, it can deal out punishment/corrective measures to those who break the law.
Today, let us take time to see the merits of the law for everyone regardless of their race, creed, political group or religious sect.
Let us link arms as we walk towards the path of harmony, equality and innocence!
