2019: The year of calamities, crises and, controversial cases

2019 was an eventful year. Too many earthquakes and typhoons, a number of national crises, and big controversies arising from court cases.

On April 22, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit parts of Luzon, killing 16 and injuring up to a hundred people. There are still missing individuals until today. On April 23, a stronger quake of 6.5 magnitude hit Eastern Visayas, with epicenter in San Juan, Samar, killing and injuring an unspecified number of victims. On July 27, a 5.9-magnitude quake hit Batanes, preceded by a 5.4 foreshock tremor. Nine people were killed.

On October 23, a 6.3 quake hit Cotabato and surrounding areas, killing five and injuring 53. On October 29  a 6.6 tremor killed nine and injured over 200. On October 31, six were killed and 20 injured by another 6.5 quake hitting the same areas. On December 15, a 6.9 earthquake hit Matanao and Padada, Davao del Sur, and nearby localities. Seven were killed and over 100 injured.

This year also, we experienced a water crisis from March to May, the African Swine Fever outbreak, the garbage and pollution crisis and the never-ending traffic mess. There is also a crisis of confidence in government and the justice system. For instance, many cases involving billions filed by PCGG against the family of former president Marcos were dismissed by the Sandiganbayan for failure of the prosecution to prove criminal and civil charges. To me, however, the worst disaster was the series of dismissals by the Sandiganbayan of criminal and civil cases filed by PCGG involving billions of dollars in connection with alleged plunder and corruption.

In February, a case involving $1.05 billion against the Marcoses and the Tantocos was dismissed for lack of evidence. In August, another case involving a whopping $102 billion in forfeiture of alleged ill-gotten wealth filed against the Marcoses and the late ambassador Roberto Benedicto was also dismissed. In September, another forfeiture case involving undetermined billions in jewelries and properties was also dismissed. On October 25, the Sandiganbayan likewise dismissed a case involving P267 million because the evidence consisted only of photocopies, not originals, thus violating the rules on evidence. On December 16, the same Sandiganbayan division dismissed a forfeiture case involving P200 billion due to failure of PCGG to prove charges. I can smell a rat somewhere, with due respect.

Other controversial cases include the loan default and bankruptcy case in January involving Hanjin in Subic. Also that same month, Ma. Santos Dequito of RCBC was convicted for money laundering in connection with $81-million Bangladeshi cyber heist. On February 8, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was arrested by the NBI for cyber libel. On March 29, Ressa was arrested again for violation of the Anti-Dummy Law. On March 15, Conchita Morales and Albert del Rosario, former high officials, sued China president Xi Jinping for crimes against humanity. It was dismissed by the International Criminal Court in December. On June 8, the government closed KAPA operations for alleged money scams.

The greatest legal case in 2019 was the conviction of two sons of the late Datu Andal Ampatuan for 57 counts of murder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua with no parole, and to pay millions in damages to the victims. This year indeed is one of the most memorable in recent history. We should pray for and look forward to a better 2020.