THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT

(OTHERWISE CALLED FAITH)

I am a girl and so I cannot help but have a natural penchant for gossip. And so, I would have read the
Shadow of Doubt even if I did well in Constitution Law II. But I am such a slacker that I now have to write a report
on it. I thought it should be a breeze but boy, did I think wrong.

Reading the book, knowing what it is supposed to be about, was rather hard. With every turn of the page,
I ask myself if I really want to know if the ink of the Justices’ pens were for sale. Weeks before the book was
released, this guy told me that for a case on appeal before the Court “they” want 8 million pesos. I did not believe
this, of course. I may not be an expert on human nature and behavior but I think I’ve been in this world long
enough to know that people have a need to feel important and for some reason we get that feeling if we have
something that the other person lacks – money, beauty, recognition and sometimes, information.

Yes, why write about it? It’s supposed to check “corruption – be it ethical violations, dishonesty, or
acceptance of favors and bribes” – so that it does not seep “into daily work and becomes the norm.” And so I
asked this man if “they” still want the 8 million. Yeah, well apparently he still has to pay it. And so I ask again, why
write about it when it did not seem to have changed anything?

Don’t get me wrong, the author’s intention may be good, if not noble but intentions no matter how great
they are don’t really accomplish anything much. Let me ask you, if a father is having an affair, does it really help
the family if the mother or some neighbor tells the children “the truth”? I apologize for the analogy but does it
really help our society to be told that the Justices are not after all incorruptible? In any case, did anyone really
expect them to be, regardless of what should or should not be?

“But like any other resourceful journalist, I was able to find a way around these Supreme Court offices and
had informal tours of the buildings.” I’m glad I don’t live with my mother anymore, otherwise, I would have to
listen on one of her ranting about my manners if she sees me roll my eyes like I just did upon reading that line.

Before you start sending me hate texts and mails, let me explain myself.

Nothing is perfect. But there are some things in this world that are sacred – family, love, honor, justice,
chastity. Perfection is not a pre-requisite of sanctity. The justice system is not perfect and the Justices may have
more human failings than the average man but the Supreme Court is a sacred institution not because of the system
or the people inside its chambers but because we need it to be. And so I find it sad that we actually have a book
casting a shadow of doubt upon the independence and integrity of the Supreme Court. Haven’t we all read the
same allegations and insinuations in the papers? Haven’t we heard much worse from the grapevine? But from a
book? I’m just afraid it will do more damage than good. A majority of us doesn’t trust the government, let’s not
push the enveleope any further. But this is just me.

Of course, the Justices should be held accountable too but let’s hear their plea not to be treated like
politicians.

Yes, I do sometimes question the decisions of the court. These flip-flops really make studying more head-
spinning than necessary. I’m thinking law studies would be a lot easier if the laws were not subject to the Justices’
interpretation and re-interpretation of them. But at the end of the day, I have to admit that I am just a first year
law student who is in danger of flunking Constitution Law II. I cannot pass judgment on the wisdom behind their
decisions when I have so much more to learn. And so, I try not to dwell so much on the flip-flops which really tend
to raise some doubts and makes one wonder what the unwritten considerations behind the ink of the ponente
were.

Sure, a behind the scene account of the events leading to what is now part of Philippine political history is
interesting but trivial. Yes, trivial. And even those which may have significance cannot be entirely relied upon
without checking the veracity of the information. Still, to consider those which are both significant and true
without seeing the whole picture is stupidity. I guess what I’m trying to say is - let’s give the old people the benefit
of the doubt.

Journalists serve their purpose. They took it upon themselves to provide the checks needed in our less
than ideal society. The author’s sources are probably reliable and the information fairly accurate. However, the
worth of Maritess Vitug’s book does not depend on its content or substance. The Shadow of Doubt is only as good
or as bad as its effect on the society. We can only hope that it will serve as a catalyst for change. But even then,
it’s not worth risking the people’s faith in the justice system.