Justice Secretary Leila De Lima – of Principle and Sworn Duty

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima

Based from a previous article “Manila’s Bus Hostage Crisis-The Fall Out” The official investigation report and recommendation to the  hostage crisis has been released by the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) headed by  Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.   Chinese officials have expressed their satisfaction to the report as they say it was made in the interest to seek out justice.   Many agree.

In the report, recommendations were made that were deemed necessary by Secretary De Lima based on her  principles for which the victims of the crime have pinned their hopes to find justice they so badly need. 

Falling Short of Justice

We are used to seeing a lot of fact finding committee reports and recommendations on several incidents for the sake of finding out the truth and who should be held accountable.  They all fall short mainly because of the influence of those involved which leaves justice for many cases,  hanging in the balance.

However the report  of Justice Secretary De Lima seems to lead us to a new direction as most of the recommendations of the report are a direct hit to high ranking officials in the government and media personalities.  The report recommends either criminal or administrative charges against 12 officials, police and media people.  The recommendations, however, are not immediately executory as the President of the Philippines has the final say on how to implement these recommendations.

Sadly though, President Noynoy Aquino has a different perspective as the President had watered down several of the committee’s recommendation with respect to the filing of criminal and administrative charges against those mentioned in the report. Now this does not mean that PNoy does not have the desire to seek justice. It may be because  he sees the situation from a different point of view. That of being a President.

Conflicting Paths

For Justice Secretary De Lima, her role in the administration may be that of an alter ego to the President.  But her principles may speak otherwise. For her, it is a choice of choosing between two conflicting paths.  She has given hints of resignation, yet her mandate to serve the President is not something easy to let go which is something we must understand.

Do Whats Best For The Country

This morning while watching a daily morning show, I have seen De Lima being interviewed by Professor Winnie Monsod, a well respected political analyst and media personality to which Ms. Monsod said to De Lima “do what is best for your country”  and in return De Lima said “yes I needed that”.  For me, that simple advise should be directed to the President as well. 

The entire situation is not something that can be considered elementary.  There are political costs to be considered from all sides.  But in the end, it is in the interest of seeking justice that counts. With all said, I hope justice will find its place not only in this particular incident but for all who are seeking the same.