Roxas blames Arroyo for deteriorating justice system

MANILA, Philippines — An opposition senator on Wednesday blamed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for a “screwed-up justice system that strongly favors the rich and the powerful." In a statement, Senator Manuel Roxas II deplored that President Arroyo is in power for eight years already, but has failed to improve the justice system. "It's embarrassing and so frustrating that Gloria didn't do anything to fix the system in the eight she was President," he said. Roxas' remark came at the height of the "Alabang Boys" drug controversy that involves scions of wealthy families. The so-called Alabang Boys are Richard Brodett, Joseph Tecson and Jorge Jordana Joseph. They were arrested in September by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) while allegedly peddling various kinds of drugs, including ecstasy. Allegations by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) officials that state prosecutors were bribed to drop the charges have prompted the House dangerous drugs committee to call an inquiry. Roxas said the fact that Congress needs to investigate the issue showed that even law enforcers, such as the PDEA, distrust the justice system. "Our justice system is not working because instead of filing charges against the likes of Joc-Joc [Bolante] and the Alabang Boys, our officials give priority to stealing from government coffers," Roxas said. “How do we change this if the big fish get away with it?" he added. Roxas further said the worsening of the illegal drugs problem in the country “is clear proof that the criminal justice system is not working." He noted that although supply scarcity had forced prices of shabu (methamphetamine) to skyrocket, demand for the illicit drug and the number of drug busts nationwide continued to rise based on records from government agencies. Information from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) showed that the price of shabu soared to P70,000 to P80,00 per 25 grams, or known as "bulto" in local street terms, last year following the seizure last May of 770 kilograms of the drug, estimated to be worth P4.6 billion, at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the statement said. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV