By Jose Mario De Vega

In a world where justice is supposed to be blind, swift, and fair, the Philippine judicial system continues to stumble—blindfolded not by impartiality, but by incompetence, cowardice, patronage, corruption, and political maneuvering. The contrast between the pace of international justice and our own domestic courts is not just embarrassing — it’s infuriating and indeed humiliating to the core.

Take the International Criminal Court (ICC), for example. Despite being a global institution handling cases across borders and jurisdictions, it manages to move faster than our own local courts. The case of Mang Kanor, once shrouded in ambiguity, is now gaining much clarity. Even his alleged accomplices — described by many as demonic and murderous — are inching closer to being held accountable. Meanwhile, back home, our courts, Congress and other government quasi-judicial agencies are still tangled in red tape and political favors.

Consider the Flood Control controversy. It’s been months of hearings, investigations, and even the creation of an Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI). Yet not a single evil creature has been held liable. Not one has been jailed. The public has watched this circus unfold, with each act more absurd than the last.

Consider further the super idiotic actuations of the police. Instead of tracking, surveilling and eventually catching those brigands and criminals involved in the grandmother of all controversy, those so-called law-enforcers have directed their guns against the activists and those people who merely wishes to express their discontent and anger against corruption, impunity and the contradiction of the system.

Instead of summoning the culprits and the criminals, those idiots rather have decided to send subpoenas to the student leaders of UP and PUP for their participation in the Sept. 21^st anti-corruption rallies.

Indeed, it is our collective call that the police must: INVESTIGATE THE CORRUPT, NOT THE YOUTH.

Another moronic plan of the mindless authorities is the intention to summon and/or give show-cause orders to those individuals who wore police attire during the recent Halloween parties. What the bloody hell is this?

Those idiots are offended by these sarcastic actions and comical gestures of our people, but are they not offended by corruption, criminality and impunity? Are they forgetting that it was Us, the People, who paid their salaries? Are they forgetting Who are the real bosses?

What a bloody shame!

Worse still, a senator — widely criticized for his nefarious role in the scandal, involving a previous scandal of substantially the same magnitude — was “acquitted” via a secret “decision” by what many call the most disgraceful and utterly detestable ombudsman in our nation’s (Barangay’s) history. And as if that weren’t enough, the system also acquitted a former senator and his alleged romantic partner (yes, again on corruption charges), leaving the public stunned and disillusioned to the maximum level.

While the country grapples with systemic decay, some individuals—who could be agents of change — choose instead to focus on trivial distractions like a movie. It’s a painful reminder of how misplaced our priorities can be.

All these rubbish fiascos, spectacle and brouhaha – paint a grim picture: our justice system operates at a level more suited to a barangay than a nation. The rot runs deep, and the stench is undeniable.

But there is hope. It lies in the hands of our workers and our youth. If anyone can break free from this cycle of dysfunction, it’s them. We must look to models like Indonesia and Nepal — nations that have faced their own struggles but found ways to rise.

The cure is not in commissions or committees. It’s in collective action, in grassroots movements, and in the unwavering belief that change is possible.

#MayPagasa

Jose Mario De Vega is an educator for higher learning who pushes for social change not only in Philippine society but more over for government accountability. He is also a published author of multiple books, and currently a contributing writer for South East Asia Weekly news.