EDITORIAL - Round one won

The official statement of the Cebu Puericulture Center and Maternity House that no member of its staff did or was involved in the taping shut of a newborn baby's mouth several days ago is unfortunate. It does not speak well of the institution and challenges the reputation it built over the years.

What the statement suggests is that either 1) the baby taped its own mouth, 2) the parents did the taping of their own baby, or 3) the tape just magically attached itself to the baby's mouth. None of the above gives much respect to the intelligence of the public.

This is not to say that the hospital has to produce a culprit. Neither does it follow that, in the unlikely absence of one, it has to come up with a scapegoat. But to categorically say that nobody taped the baby's mouth contrary to the photographic evidence only invites scorn instead of understanding.

It does not help that in the days prior to the issuance of the statement, the hospital has been perceived to be largely secretive and uncooperative. Whether that perception is accurate and fair or not, it does not help that a statement is issued contrary to the expectations of many.

At this stage, with none of the hospital staff stepping up to claim responsibility, and the hospital itself only too willing to stonewall on their behalf, the absence of any other evidence to support the photographic proof does indeed seem to work in favor of not knowing the truth.

There are those who may say that while nobody knows what really happened, surely God must have seen the whole thing. But what good will that do in the heat of the most fervent denials by those willing to take their chances come the day of judgment.

Human justice has to take precedence in human life. Right now it appears that the parties to this controversy are gearing for a legal showdown. But that could take a very long time. When the resolution comes, if it does, the incident might not even seem as relevant as it is today.

How sad that the culprit and the hospital can, in all likelihood, get away with it. But never mind. What comes around goes around and in this roller coaster life that baby will eventually become a man. Who knows he might cross paths with those involved in the torment of his innocence.