Famous and infamous criminal convictions in 2024

As a professor of Law since 1977 or for 48 years now, it has become my annual routine to review landmark Supreme Court decisions for class discussions and for inclusion into my Law books published for Law students and for practicing lawyers. This time, I will focus on Criminal Law, originally, my favorite subject.

Here are the convictions in high-profile cases in 2024. First, on February 16, former PNP Special Action Force Director, General Leocadio Santiago was convicted in relation to the alleged anomalous purchase of used helicopters which even dragged the name of former president GMA's husband. On February 21, a Kuwaiti court convicted the murderer of Julebee Ranara, a Filipina OFW who worked as DH in Kuwait. On February 23, Ma. Cristina Vizcarra was convicted in connection with a Samar congressman’s pork barrel scam.

On March 15, the Sandigayanbayan ordered Myrna Bayucan to return to the government ?4.6 million connected with Senator Lito Lapid's PDAF. On April 23, the Court Of Appeals affirmed the conviction of three Bureau of Immigration officials for their alleged involvement in the infamous "pastillas scam" which facilitated the illegal entry into the Philippines of Chinese nationals. On May 8, the Taguig RTC convicted Cedric Lee and Denise Cornejo of serious illegal detention filed by Vhong Navarro.

On May 24, Nur Misuari was convicted by the Sandiganbayan of two counts of graft involving school supplies in 2000 and 2001. On June 13, the Sandiganbayan convicted Maburao, Mindoro Occidental, Mayor Voltaire Villarosa of graft involving ?4.1 million in alleged unremitted GSIS funds. On July 3, the Sandiganbayan convicted 15 GOCC officials in connection with the alleged scam of a Misamis Occidental representative.

On July 15, the Tagum City RTC convicted incumbent representative France Castro and former congressman Satur Ocampo of child abuse of 14 children. On July 19, the Court of Appeals reversed the acquittal of PNP Colonel Rafael Dumlao III in connection with the 2017 kidnap and murder of a Korean, Jee Ick Joo, and sentenced the colonel to life imprisonment for being the mastermind.

On August 8, an American federal grand jury indicted former Comelec chairman Andres Bautista in connection with 2016 election Smartmatic controversy. On August 18, three PMA cadets were convicted of hazing which caused the 2017 death of cadet Darwin Dormitorio. They were sentenced to life imprisonment. On September 11, Bucloc, Abra, Mayor Gody Cardenas was convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan and sentenced to six to 10 years in prison.

On October 1, 10 members of UST's Aegis Juris fraternity were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the death by hazing of UST law student Atio Castillo. On October 9, Evelyn de Leon was convicted and sentenced to 39 years in connection with the PDAF of a CDO congressman. On October 16, the court convicted 17 members of Abu Sayyaf for the 2000 Sipadan kidnappings and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

On October 18, former Maguindanao governor Sajid Ampatuan was convicted of a ?400-million graft case and sentenced to life imprisonment. On December 20, a Taguig RTC convicted MILF commanders Abubakar Guiaman and Mohammad Ali for the deaths of 35 members of the Special Action Force during the Mamasapano clash in 2015. They were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.

Most of the convictions involved lower ranking officials. Tomorrow, I shall discuss the many high-profile acquittals and they involved no less than the highly-powerful Juan Ponce Enrile and many other influential men and women in high places.

Now, can we really say that there is equal justice for all? As a member of the Bar, I would say yes. But the facts on the ground seem to suggest otherwise.