The judiciary is still feeling the effects of the declaration of martial law by former President Ferdinand Marcos, according to Atty Chel Diokno.
According to Diokno, chairperson of the Free Legal Assistance Group or FLAG, the country’s judicial system is now divided into two types of lawyers.
“Ang legal profession at halos nahati doon sa nagpa-practice ng law, maayos, diretso, at doon sa mga nagpa-practice ng law na nag-aayos ng kaso,” he said.
This is allegedly the effect of Marcos’ control of the judiciary during the martial law era. According to Diokno, in the first week of martial law, Marcos issued Letter of Instruction No.11, ordering government officials, including judges to submit a resignation letter.
“Kapag hindi ka niya nagustuhan, tatanggapin niya yung letter of resignation ng kung sino man yun at next day wala ka na sa public service,” said Diokno.
Marcos also allegedly put a provision in the 1973 constitution, which states that judges can remain in office until retirement unless Marcos orders them to be fired.
Diokno: Effect of martial law still seen in the judiciary
“In other words, hawak ni Marcos sa leeg ang lahat ng judge at lahat ng justice sa buong Pilipinas. Kung mayroon mang maglalabas ng isang desisyon na hindi niya magugustuhan, madali niyang tanggalin, isang pirma lang at wala na yung justice, o wala na yung judge na iyon sa ating judiciary,” he explained.
Marcos also allegedly put a provision in the 1973 constitution, which states that judges can remain in office until retirement unless Marcos orders them to be fired.
“That was when corruption within the legal profession was born as an organized activity, kasi ang nangyari noon, may mga abogado, nakita nila yung opportunity, nagtayo sila ng mga network, dikit sila sa Malacañang, may kilala sila sa mga business, sa pulis sa mga jail officials and so on,” said Diokno.
“That is one of the legacies of the dictatorship what we still have today and that is the biggest obstacle to our development, ang pinakamalaking hadlang sa pag-asensyo natin ay yang pagkukulang natin sa hustisya sa ating bayan, isipin ninyo, paano tayo magkakaroon ng pananagutan kung ganito pa rin ang justice system natin, paano natin masusugpo itong mga issue ng organized crime, at ibang mga smuggling, drug syndicate, etc., kung ganito kahina pa rin ang ating justice system, that is one of the lasting effects of the dictatorship,” he added.
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