When justice plays favorites
| Sophia Delos Trinos
Cartoon by Trixia Caratao
Justice systems are meant to hold those who have negatively impacted and harmed others accountable. It aims to maintain law and order and to protect society. But where is that system when it comes to those who have wealth or politicians who have stolen money from the people they were meant to serve?
Multiple cases of corruption have happened throughout the years: the “Pork Barrel Scam” in 2014, the “Sara Duterte DepEd” issue, “Ghost Projects”, and the recent use of “Flood Control” projects to siphon funds.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) figures show a high 93.59% conviction rate in 2024. Taking this at face value may suggest that the system is working; however, this can also show weakness. Stronger cases are filed, leaving smaller cases unfiled and unanswered.
A 2023 DOJ finding reported that 90-95% of cases filed are dismissed. People are turned away due to a lack of witnesses, evidence, and other things. People with alleged crimes are free to live another day amongst other people and possibly repeat the allegations as the Justice System chooses to side with them.
The data from this can paint a story that the system made to protect victims prefers to coddle possible perpetrators. How can you claim to serve justice when you dismiss almost every case filed? 90-95% is not a small estimate; that’s only 1-2 in 20 cases that aren’t dismissed, and 18-19 in 20 cases that are. Only those who have the chance to gather evidence, or witnesses, are able to get justice; those whose first thoughts aren’t to get evidence but to run– to escape, are turned away by this very system that chooses their cases based on how much evidence they have.
The Philippines ranks as the 3rd most corrupt country in Southeast Asia, according to the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring 33 out of 100, as it placed as the 67th most corrupt country out of 180 countries total.
These rankings show a pattern that corruption is deeply woven into the country’s system itself.
Former President and late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., his wife Imelda Marcos, and other associates managed to take an estimated PHP1,700,000,000,000 in the modern conversion, starting in the 50s. While the true number is not known to Filipinos, the high estimation is reflected in our struggles in the modern day. Only PHP280,000,000,000 has been returned from the stolen money; the rest remains in the hands of those who robbed us all those years ago.
In the Pork Barrel scam, some convictions happened, notably mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles, Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla, and former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. But other accused, including high-profile senators and legal figures, were acquitted on other charges.
These names are people that we still see and hear from in the modern day. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos was guilty of violating anti-corruption laws; however able to escape imprisonment due to old age and health. Jinggoy Estrada has been a senator since 2022 and was formerly the “President Pro Tempore” from 2024 to 2025, someone who fills in for the Senate President in their absence. Bong Revilla, now a former senator since 2019, is in custody, facing charges of graft and malversation of public funds through fake public documents. Juan Ponce Enrile attempted a Senate comeback in 2019 but was unsuccessful, and only recently, on November 13, 2025, passed away.
How were they still able to attempt a comeback after these issues? Instead of being shunned or imprisoned, these names who are involved with stealing from the millions of taxpayers, from those working hard to survive. They were able to roam free and run for government positions. They were still able to attempt to deceive us again. They don’t receive consequences, they get voted back in the same place they robbed us from, and their ego is boosted. They want to take money from Filipinos until there’s nothing left to rob.
In 2025, the Trillion Peso March happened due to the fact that flood control projects were created, but no improvement was actually shown; houses were still destroyed, 224 people died from Typhoon Tino (AKA Typhoon Kalmaegi) alone, and no projects seemed to arise. In a similar protest named “Baha sa Luneta”, many people were arrested, shot, and died, whether protestors or police. Despite a statement from DILG Secretary Remulla stating that there were no casualties and that the police force was acting properly, trying to push blame onto the protestors instead. However, this statement doesn’t feel like the same protest as there are multiple videos circulating online, tweets, all stating the opposite. Police have, in fact, used teargas and shot people, not at all like how Remulla claimed.
Zaldy Co, one of the reasons for the Trillion Peso March, has a warrant but has not yet been arrested. DPWH officials involved have also been detained and arrested. Another name, Sarah Discaya, was arrested in December 2025 for her involvement in “ghost” flood control projects. Discaya’s arrest was filmed by netizens, with her sarcastically saying the words “Happy, Happy? Yes!” This certain phase was shared as they poked fun at her. One by one, these corrupt officials are being arrested, yet so many have yet to be brought to justice, still out there, roaming, hiding.
The Philippines’ justice system has slowly lost the trust of the Filipinos, ranking 97th out of 143 in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, proving its weakness in effectively doing its job. The system may not be reformed if there is no change. Change will only happen if the Justice System finally serves the people, if they ensure that justice is not just served, but done on time. The people want a Justice System that rightfully penalizes and serves justice for its citizens, not something that pretends to serve them.