Abadilla 5 not alone in suffering judicial delay in RP, HK group says

MANILA, Philippines - The five men detained for more than 12 years for the murder of former Col. Rolando Abadilla in 1996 are not alone in suffering from judicial delay, a Hong Kong rights group said Wednesday. Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said random interviews by their researchers in the Philippines showed even jail guards agreed that judicial delay is a problem. "Random interviews conducted by a researcher for the AHRC have revealed that the plight of the Abadilla Five is a shared experience and common knowledge amongst respondents," it said. It added the interviews began in early June, and highlight an "endemic problem in the administration of justice in the Philippines." Such problems, in turn, often result in delays in the completion of court cases, it added. AHRC said Princesa Sevilla, a court stenographer in Panabo City, said her own experience showed the lack of judges and lawyers as behind the "very slow" progress of court cases. "Too many cases filed in our courts cause the delay and slow process of obtaining justice. But honestly, 80 to 85 percent of justice or determination of rights are obtained by those who have money to pay," said Jerry Sia, a traffic enforcer in Davao City. Victoriano Galang, whose son is in jail, lamented the harsh treatment on detainees and accused prior to the conclusion of their cases. "Suspect miserably languishes in jail as if they are already convicted. Suspect in jail though not yet proven guilty but are already considered criminal by law and by society," he said. Another common complaint was the lack of resources and money in pursuing legal expenditures to cases in court; and the lack of effective legal aid in the country for the poor. "Poor people cannot obtain justice because the rich ones have the control," said Dodong Husay, a tricycle driver. Even members of the security forces agreed that slow justice system is an experience of poor people, while rich ones "get" it instantly. "That's why we cannot also blame the human rights progressive groups for fighting the unfair and unjustifiable justice system if this is always the case," said Pfc. Reah Viña of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Davao City. AHRC said others who were interviewed suggested that political influence and strong publicity can be an effective tool in pushing pending court cases. On the other hand, others have already resigned themselves of any hope by having getting themselves contented to what has been the practice. "What the respondents have revealed reflects the already endemic problems in the administration of justice in the Philippines. Even though these practical problems are themselves a common knowledge and a shared experienced, there has not been any substantial progress on part of the State to effectively address this; for instance, the continuing delay in the completion of review on the Abadilla Five case," AHRC said. - GMANews.TV