Reform the Philippine Judiciary with a Jury System

The month of August 2014 was crunch time for the advocates of the adoption of Jury System in the Philippines.  With finances dwindling and campaign work outpacing our speed in raising the necessary funds, we decided to let go of some of our volunteers.  It was disheartening but tough decisions had to be made.

Nevertheless, our core group in the Philippines carried on.  Majority of our people in the south of the Philippines have not heard of the jury system but for the meetings held by our dedicated and brave volunteers like Ptr. T in Maguindanao, Mindanao.  This was the place where 57 civilians were massacred for political reasons nearly 5 years ago.   This heinous crime still has to be resolved even though evidence and witnesses abound.  Gold and goons are simply overwhelming for ordinary Filipinos and the inept judiciary.

The weekend, August 16 and 17, WPJI either sponsored or co-sponsored three events to promote the Jury System.  These were held in three different regions in the Philippines _ Regions IVA, V and IX.  At the 1^st Mindanao Indigenous Peoples’ Business Summit in the Muslim area of the country, our National Coordinator, introduced the Jury System and discussed how it can help settle an age-old problem of land grabbing that is prevalent in the region.

On August 26, just over a week later, we held a Jury System Symposium at RMTU in Zambales.  It was endorsed by its University President and was attended by 445 university students who are all registered voters.

Here are comments about the symposium:  from a supporter_

Hi, Daisy & Marlowe-

Thanks for forwarding this. Congratulations! This is an impressive turnout.  Now if we can only replicate this in thousand other places, we're in our way.

I suggest that this photo and text of the symposium be disseminated to the rest of WFA and other e-groups. This will lend credibility to our cause and encourage those who are on the fence to join us.

Cheers,

Gene

... and another one from Fred in the audience, posted in WPJI’s Facebook Account _ HUKOM ANG BAYAN.

"HUKOM (Filipino word for Jury or Judge) is just reviving a practice that is inherent but dormant. I cannot wait to attend the next symposium and learn more!   ... But I praise the bold initiative. Like any move for change, we can start anywhere, just so there is a call to ACTION. Someone said, resistance without action is consent."

Difficult and very demanding it may seem, but as long as Filipinos in the homeland and from all over the world unite,  we can peacefully exercise our sovereign power and make the changes introduced by President Benigno Aquino to get rid of corruption in government  become permanent through the enactment of a NATIONAL JURY LAW.

This jury law shall serve as our master procedural enforcement law at ourmandate judicially without seeking permission from any public official to enforce our sovereign will for a good,honest and efficient government.

Your continued financial support is important to us and to the success of our dream for a righteous and just nation.  Here is a BIG THANK YOU to all our donors.

Links:

• HUKOM Ang Bayan