As serious as it can get

As if the Napoles scam wasn't enough to keep government investigators busy gathering evidence to strengthen their cases, here comes the "Ma'am Arlene" issue. Honestly, can we still trust our judiciary system, when apparently there is a "Ma'am Arlene" who can be approached to help in winning cases, all for a fee? Of course, for a fee. Justice apparently be bought, or tilted to favor whoever has the money to tip the balance. According to initial findings, this operator's influence runs all the way from the regional trial courts all the way up to the Court of Appeals! Just how many cases have been bought out, nobody knows for sure, but it is enough to merit an investigation by the Supreme Court itself.

When the story about an influential "Ma'am Arlene" broke out, the courts practically dismissed it, saying that it was being blown out of proportion. But like anything wrong in government, the stench became unbearable as more evidence and testimonies came out. Only then did the courts conduct an investigation led by none other than a member of the Supreme Court. Three "Arlenes" were persons of interest. But last Wednesday, a certain Arlene Angeles Lerma left the country for an undisclosed Asian destination. Why the country could not be disclosed is puzzling. Is it illegal to mention the country where someone flies to? In the middle of the investigation, this "Arlene" leaves the country. Many would say that this was a sign of guilt. We will not know for sure, but she seems to be three steps ahead of the government.

Which begs to ask the question. If there were already three "Arlenes" of interest by the investigators, why weren't they closely monitored? Where was the hold departure order? If it wasn't time to issue one, at least find a way to detain them, especially if they are probable flight risks. Arlene Angeles Lerma just proved once again how easy it is to leave the country and avoid an investigation. She may very well join everyone else that the government is looking for.

Or was she deliberately allowed to leave the country? Remember, we are talking about an operator who could facilitate decisions in favor of whoever can pay the price. That involved crooked judges, doesn't it? Nothing worse that a crooked judge. If the right "Arlene" were to be held by government investigators, I can just imagine the number of judges who would want to leave the country as well! I also have to ask, was this "Ma'am Arlene" working alone, or did she have her own network of facilitators, just like Janet Napoles? I would think that someone with that kind of influence stretching the various courts would have her own minions doing leg work. I wonder how many cases have been handed down unfair decisions because of the handiwork of "Ma'am Arlene"? How many more unfair decisions have to be handed down? 

Justice is the very thing that holds society in check. If it no longer can be trusted, where does that leave society now? This is not being blown out of proportion. This is as serious as it can get.