The Prime Mover An Insight Lyn Bacani, Volunteer Writer/Marino World

Our criminal justice system is weak and reeks with corruption and inefficiency. To anticipate directions of an organization, one must know its leadership. The mind that controls, the legs that walk the talk. And to gauge that mind and that walk, one should reflect on past declarations, on previous actions. VACC is in that mould. And VACC is Dante La. Jimenez: the fire within, the sizzle in public. Yes, the headlines, the targets and the timing. More importantly, the synergy created to maximize success from minimum resources. Hecklers gripe VACC is a one-man show. That does not hold water since VACCs army of over 10,000 unpaid volunteers cannot just be marshalled. They must be inspired by a vision and passion, by solid results. By a team of kind red spirit and will, of expertise and dedication beyond just compliance. All selfless as prime movers; liaison with Government but shakes off partisan biddings. All business, using carrot- and-stick, leveraging with goodwill fueled by public endorsements generated by friendly mass media in the cause of reforms for civic equality. This is the walk of Dante. Be it in carrying a symbolic cross at Lent and having his hair shaved for victims of violence and teach or awarding kalabasa to public servants on shortfalls. Or utterly corrupt, no mincing of words even in humor. These may be the sparks that ignite the watch in courts. Nationwide, as needed without fear. Even in challenges overseas facing Pinoy migrant workers. On such paradigm, we seek an inner understanding of the man Dante is. No need for resume nor spins of alleluias. Let us take a second serving of his words. It will set a shining example for us not to focus only on the hitmen or assassins whose only motive is to kill and get paid. Law enforcement has to chase the masterminds who have the power and influence to manipulate the law. Our Constitution provides that our military and police personnel must protect the citizens of this Republic from lawless elements and ensure public safety and not to be themselves the perpetrators of crime. What the people need are concrete actions to make people feel secure anywhere in the country, not media releases glorifying claims of an improved fake growth of the economy. A peaceful country makes for a healthy economy that speaks for itself. This is a most horrible form of cruelty. Why the kidnappers still killed their victim despite the willingness of the family to give in to their ransom demands speak of impunity which is extremely disturbing. Also, it reflects certain loopholes in our anti-kidnapping strategy. Lesson learned: DONT BE A WITNESSANYMORE IN HEINOUS AND HIGH PROFILE CASES AGAINST RICH AND INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE. Or else, you end up jailed while the suspects run around being rewarded. Thats how callous are the high and the mighty. Why Government could afford to spend millions of its resources to pay blood money and fight to the teeth for our distraught brothers in the Middle East and not do the same for our Filipino seafarers? Its unfortunate that the P-Noy government seems unwilling to exhaust its resources to

retrieve from the hands of ruthless pirates our hapless seafarers. The President should make the move to ensure that justice is not denied to victims regardless of nationalities. The victims families are looking forward that justice be given and those officials found guilty of neglect and incompetence that led to the killings should be made liable. Its a WEAK LAW. It doesnt suffice to curb the problem of hazing. If somebody dies from hazing, the perpetrators should be meted the Death Penalty, not just life imprisonment. Fraternity people are trifling with human life. Criminals are getting bolder and quicker using motorcycles, the crimes more frequent and brutal with this kind of modus operandi. We should put a stop to this. Layers of corruption in the various pillars of the criminal justice system investigation, prosecution, the courts and penology are stumbling blocks in the efficient dispensation of justice. Some corrupt police investigators, prosecutors, judges or jail officers are known to take bribes. It is hard to imagine our Honorable Senators allocating themselves such huge amounts as cash gifts without accountability in the midst of the nations utter poverty and neglect and while victims of natural calamities are dying for lack of financial help. Its all back to square one. We underwent a difficult impeachment process, rejoiced in our victory and then what? The old boys are still there, lording it over. It was like conducting a farcical vaudeville show, all the grandstanding only to dive back to the ugly status quo of judicial corruption and filthy influenced peddling. Casualties from the violence in Sabah have reportedly reached 61 mostly Filipinos. All indications point that the killings will continue as Malaysia continues to defy the United Nations call for peace. The Philippine government has been sending peacekeeping forces to countries torn by war. Why not send a similar peacekeeping contingent to Sabah?.