Archbishop Cruz on ‘pork’ case: ‘Justice moves slower than a turtle’

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Archbishop-emeritus Oscar Cruz expressed dismay over the slow pace of justice in the Philippines, particularly on the filing of charges against individuals involved in the pork barrel scam.

“Are we not yet used to the justice system of the Philippines? The opposition was first to be targeted; it was so fast and now I don’t know if the members of the administration party will also be charged. I’m still waiting,” Cruz said at the Independence Day protest Thursday held at Liwasang Bonifacio.

“Justice moves slower than a turtle. There are only two years left in the term of President Benigno Aquino III. Once a new president is elected, there will be a different direction of justice for these cases,” he said.

Cruz also cited the Maguindanao Massacre case, which has been ongoing for four years and has yet to be concluded.

“There is nothing. I’m ashamed to admit it but we seem to be going around in circles chasing our tail,” Cruz said.

“If this will be solved, I might no longer be here on earth when it will be solved,” the 79-year-old former archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan said.

He said he is joining the protests because he has seen the suffering of the people because of the rampant abuse being committed by government officials.

“Gatherings like these mean only one thing: the people see and feel that they are being fooled,” Cruz said.

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