Lopez, Maria Aena M.

BSLM-4B

Give up Tomorrow

A documentary which was released 7 years ago which became popular when the
movie “Jacqueline Comes Home” the story of the Chiong sisters who was the victim in the
case. The documentary was about the case of Paco Larrañaga who was convicted of murder
in 1999 for the double murder and rape of the two sisters in the Philippines. The
documentary shows the corruption within the judicial system of the Philippines during that
time. Give up tomorrow tells the story of how the court found Paco guilty and how his
family did everything they can to save Paco from his death sentence. It also includes several
interviews from the parties involves in the case. The documentary title was a saying from
Paco, at time that he wants to give up, he would always say to himself to “Give up
Tomorrow.

By watching this documentary it made me realize how different is the judicial

system today and during that time. However, this makes no difference as for the corruption
in the judicial system, a lot of criminals are saved from trial and punishment because of
money and connections while a lot of innocent people are placed in bars due to the lack of
this benefits. As a legal management student who has a background of law, I personally
think that the decision was unfair as no equal chance was given, they gave more priority to
the victim side. While the lack of evidence is clearly present as no proof that Paco was in
Cebu during the time the crime was committed.

The documentary gives you a preview of the condition of the justice system which
gives ears to people who has an advantage. Many evidences and witnesses proves that Paco
wasn’t in Cebu during that time. For me, I think that the crime was too impossible to be
committed by Paco as he cannot be at two places at the same time since he was studying
here in Manila and the rape and murder was committed in Carcar, Cebu. Also many of the
classmates, teachers and even the plane companies proved that he was in Manila, however,
no one listened to these witnesses as people only listen to the cries of the victim. The true
victim on this case as they failed to decide and hear from both parties, they never decided
on fairness but decided on what they think is morally correct.This shows how the justice
system failed to give a just and fair trial, even during the arrest of Paco. Also, no bodies of
the victim that proves that they are the Chiong sisters was ever found. After sometime, a
witness, who also admitted the commission of the crime in exchange for immunity and
freedom. Paco was transferred to Spain as he was a dual citizen of Philippines and Spain.

As a legal management student, the film served as an eye opener of how the justice
system truly works in the Philippines. It proves how money and power can control what is
right and what is wrong, how power can save you from crime and, how power can put a
innocent person behind bars. This film makes the present generation want a better judicial
system.