CORNER STONE

The date Sept. 12, 2007 is a much celebrated day in the history of the Philippines. But it will be an occasion depending on our political beliefs and ideologies. And we will be sure that it is a day that is to be added on the pages of our history books. And for this, it is sad for the students as it will be another thing to memorize but we will never be sure that it is a date to ponder by all sectors of our society.

Sept. 12, 2007 is said to be the day when the justice system in our country works at its fullest as it is said by those who are presently working for the government. But to the lower strata of our society, it is the failure of such system. Our justice system is designed in excellent manner as it is to benefit and protect all citizens of our nation but it is the reverse that is happening on it. The one accused of plunder is said to meet the many firsts in our government considering that Pres. Estrada is the first member of Philippine showbiz to have rose from political ranks; from being an ordinary Mayor of a small town up to being the highest official of the land. He is also the first leader of our nation to undergo the impeachment proceedings and continued to the court, tried, imprisoned and judged guilty. This thing is never accepted by the poor as they considered him as their only hope to be freed from their hostility from poverty. But as elite rules in this country, they never feel that their effort to survive will never be vindicated as long as their so called “Idol of the Masses” is suppressed.

On the side of our nation’s justice system, it is a triumph to convict such an official of our country. But we don’t know whether this conviction will serve as a strong and loud signal against those who continue to plunder our government. We may feel for now that we have laid the corner stone in assuring that our government officials will behave as they have to but the foundation on which such stone is intended to build lays its strength to us who makes our country, the Philippines.