By Dr. Tony Leachon
Our justice system has long been weak, slow, and preferential to the rich. Swift and unforgiving when applied to the poor, yet hesitant and pliable when the powerful are involved.
Time and again, we have seen how cases against the elite are delayed, diluted, or dismissed—only to end in acquittals or pardons once the cameras are gone. Money talks. Justice becomes selective.
The recent recommendation to charge former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and former Representative Zaldy Co with plunder is being hailed as bold. Yet I harbor serious doubts about the sincerity of President Marcos in pursuing these cases.
Why the Doubts Persist
1. PhilHealth’s ₱60 billion promise — On September 20, one day before mass rallies, the President promised the return of these funds. To this day, nothing has been restored. Now, ahead of another rally on November 30, new promises are made about prosecuting Romualdez and Co. The timing raises questions about intent.
2. Unexplained resignations — The sudden departures of former Executive Secretary Bersamin and DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman remain shrouded in silence. Transparency is essential, yet the public has been left in the dark.
3. Promotion of Sec. Ralph Recto — Elevating Recto to Executive Secretary only cements suspicions that questionable fund transfers were orchestrated at the highest levels. This undermines confidence in the administration’s integrity.
4. Allegations of illegal drug use — These allegations must be addressed directly and disproven. Evading them only fuels speculation and erodes trust.
5. Accountability of DPWH Sec. Manny Bonoan — As head of the Department of Public Works and Highways, he is a central figure in infrastructure and budget allocations. If the administration is serious about cleaning house, the “big fish” cannot be missing from the net. His role must be scrutinized with the same vigor.
Lessons from the Napoles Case
The Sandiganbayan’s 193‑page decision acquitting Juan Ponce Enrile and 34 others in the ₱10‑billion pork barrel scam is a sobering reminder. Despite years of investigation, testimonies from whistleblowers, and the exposure of bogus NGOs funneling public funds, the court ruled there was a “clear lack of evidence” to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
• 35 acquitted, including Enrile, Gigi Reyes, and Janet Lim Napoles.
• ₱338 million in civil liability imposed on Napoles and six co‑accused, acknowledging actual damages suffered by the government.
• Billions lost in PDAF allocations, yet inconsistencies in witness accounts weakened the case.
The Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPeg) criticized the ruling as proof of the entrenched culture of impunity.
Former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima lamented the slow wheels of justice, noting how the accused relied on the public’s short memory to escape scrutiny.
This is the pattern: high‑profile cases drag on for years, evidence is contested, and eventually, acquittals are handed down. Meanwhile, ordinary Filipinos continue to suffer the consequences of corruption, poverty, and broken promises.
The True Test of Justice
The PhilHealth funds remain the true test. Long overdue, they symbolize the gap between words and action. Until this issue is resolved, every new pronouncement will be seen as political maneuvering rather than genuine reform.
Justice must not be a privilege reserved for the poor and powerless. It must be a right guaranteed to all. Otherwise, we will continue to live under a system where influence shields the elite, while ordinary Filipinos bear the brunt of corruption and recurring disasters.
If President Marcos truly seeks to restore credibility, he must act with consistency, transparency, and accountability—not with promises timed to rallies or selective targets. The Filipino people deserve sincerity, not theatrics.
—Dr. Tony Leachon
#RelentlessForChange
Tony Leachon
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