Palace responds to open letter, admits need for judicial reform

Following criticism that the senators involved in the alleged pork barrel scam are getting special treatment while in detention, Malacañang on Tuesday admitted that the country's justice system is in need of reforms.

“We acknowledge that we continue to deal with a criminal justice system that needs to be overhauled and reformed in order to be truly fair and equitable,” Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

He was responding to an open letter by John Silva, executive director of the Ortigas Foundation Library, complaining about the alleged VIP treatment for Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., who is being detained at the Camp Crame Custodial Center with fellow Senator Jinggoy Estrada.  

In his letter to President Benigno Aquino III, Silva pointed out that the senators' “huge comfy” jail cells are 10 times bigger than the one that was given to Aquino's father, the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., during the Marcos years.

“Your dad didn’t go to jail for stealing. He was into more heady stuff like a return to democracy, human rights and moral convictions. So why the hell are you treating these senators with kid gloves, these guys who can’t seem to recall, account, or sign off on billions of missing pesos?" Silva asked in his letter.

“And yet you treat these guys like naughty boys who get ten lashings with a wet noodle. After you break your ass all these months pushing Justice Secretary De Lima et al. to make sure there’s finally arrests, despite all the roadblocks thrown their way,” he added.

He went on to say that the senators will not likely repent if they are going to get “cushy” jail arrangements.  He also urged Aquino to prosecute them “judiciously and swiftly.”

“They’ll bide their time, take up knitting, read the Bible, tweezer their nose hairs, botox their faces, walk a little longer on the treadmill because in less than two years, they’re praying their friends return to power and the jail doors open big and wide and bienvenida parties will be in full swing,” said Silva.

Coloma, however, said the administration is determined to pursue reforms in the justice system.

“With the support of a vigilant and enlightened citizenry, we may be able to achieve significant gains. We join our people in hoping that the Sandiganbayan will conduct a fair and speedy trial that will ensure the triumph of truth and justice,” he said. —Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News