Ang Bilis ng Hustisya, Pero Sino ang Bida?
The Speed of Justice, But Who is the Star?
Amiel Gerald A. Roldan™
July 9, 2026
Hey, man! That's how the **pulse** of justice in the Philippines should be — fast like a jeep without brakes when a politician is caught in corruption. No fuss, no drama in the preliminary investigation like a teleserye. Is there a **precedent**? There is! So if an anomaly is discovered the next day — flood control funds, ghost projects, or any other creative accounting — **the fight is on**, no stopping!
But here's the twist, folks: Sen. **Rodante Marcoleta** (not Dante, ha) was immediately charged with plunder by the Ombudsman and DOJ because of P75 million in campaign donations that he allegedly failed to properly declare. He himself admitted it on TV and in interviews, then suddenly he was "trumped-up" and "politicized."
Strategic genre move: If we are really serious about "speedy incarceration" for everyone, then it should apply universally — no exceptions, no selective amnesia. When a politician is caught in corruption, it should be the same: the case is fast, the arraignment is fast, the hearing is fast. To build **trust** in the government, not the feeling of "when you are an ally, it is slow; when you are an enemy, express lane to Sandiganbayan."
There will be more days when anomalies will be discovered? Go ahead! File the cases. Let's not turn justice into theater — one of those slow soap operas that never ends. But if "speedy" has become just a weapon for political vendetta, then there is no trust either. Justice that is fast for everyone, or slow for everyone — that is the true **strategic** and has a **distinct pulse** of a good government.
So, fight in court, not just on social media.
There's a new prison for powerful officials. Let's fill it fairly, not just one and a half. What do you think, fellow countrymen — is this true justice, or selective speed? Tell us in the comments, and let's join in with **snark** until the system becomes fair.
The Imperative of Expeditious Justice in Philippine Corruption Cases: Balancing Speed, Fairness, and Institutional Trust
The Philippine justice system has long grappled with the challenge of addressing corruption among public officials amid perceptions of delay and selective enforcement. A recurring demand in contemporary political discourse is the application of swift judicial processes in graft and corruption cases, particularly those involving high-ranking politicians. This essay examines the normative and strategic arguments for accelerated proceedings in such cases, drawing on recent developments involving Senator Rodante Marcoleta as a pertinent case study, while underscoring the necessity of consistency to foster public confidence in governmental institutions.
Central to this discussion is the principle that justice in corruption cases must operate with deliberate speed. Philippine jurisprudence and public administration recognize precedents for expedited handling of graft cases, especially when substantial public interest is at stake. The Plunder Law (Republic Act No. 7080) and related anti-graft statutes empower specialized bodies such as the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan to prioritize cases involving ill-gotten wealth. Proponents argue that delays erode public trust, embolden corrupt actors, and undermine the deterrent effect of accountability mechanisms. When anomalies in public fund management or campaign finance are anticipated or uncovered, the imperative is clear: initiate formal charges promptly and allow the adversarial process—through evidence presentation and judicial review—to determine culpability. This approach aligns with broader goals of good governance, wherein timely resolution signals that no individual is above the law.
The recent plunder case filed against Senator Rodante Marcoleta illustrates both the potential and the complexities of rapid action. In mid-2026, the Ombudsman pursued charges against the senator related to approximately ₱75 million in undeclared campaign donations received prior to the 2025 elections. Marcoleta’s own public statements and admissions on media platforms reportedly formed part of the evidentiary foundation, leading to swift filing before the Sandiganbayan and subsequent arrest proceedings. Critics, including the senator himself, have described the case as politically motivated and timed to coincide with sensitive legislative matters, such as potential impeachment proceedings or investigations into major infrastructure projects. Defenders, however, maintain that the action was evidence-driven rather than partisan, highlighting the senator’s documented failure to fully disclose contributions in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
From a strategic institutional perspective, the Marcoleta case serves as a potential precedent for expeditious justice. If applied uniformly, such velocity could strengthen democratic accountability by reducing opportunities for political maneuvering during prolonged trials. However, selective rapidity risks undermining legitimacy. For the justice system to command respect, procedural speed must be paired with due process safeguards—adequate opportunity for defense, transparent evidence evaluation, and protection against undue influence. Inconsistent application, wherein allies of the administration experience delays while opponents face accelerated proceedings, perpetuates narratives of weaponized law and erodes the very trust such actions purport to restore.
Furthermore, the Philippine government’s establishment of specialized detention facilities for high-profile corruption suspects reflects an acknowledgment of the volume and significance of pending cases, particularly those linked to scandals involving public works and flood control projects. These infrastructural responses must be matched by substantive reforms: enhanced case management in the Sandiganbayan, capacity-building for prosecutors and judges, and stricter campaign finance regulations to prevent future ambiguities around donations. Ultimately, public trust hinges not merely on the speed of incarceration but on the perceived fairness and evidentiary integrity of the entire process.
In conclusion, the call for swift resolution of corruption cases against politicians represents a legitimate aspiration for a more responsive justice system. The Marcoleta precedent demonstrates that rapid action is feasible when evidence is compelling and institutional mechanisms are activated. Nevertheless, true reform demands universality and impartiality. Only through consistent, transparent, and procedurally robust enforcement of anti-corruption laws can the Philippine government cultivate enduring public confidence. As the nation confronts ongoing governance challenges, prioritizing equitable speed in justice delivery remains both a legal necessity and a strategic imperative for democratic resilience.
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Amiel Gerald A. Roldan™' s connection to the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) serves as a defining pillar of his professional journey, most recently celebrated through the launch of the ACC Global Alumni Network.As a 2003 Starr Foundation Grantee, Roldan participated in a transformative ten-month fellowship in the United States. This opportunity allowed him to observe contemporary art movements, engage with an international community of artists and curators, and develop a new body of work that bridges local and global perspectives.Featured Work: Bridges Beyond Borders His featured work, Bridges Beyond Borders: ACC's Global Cultural Collaboration, has been chosen as the visual identity for the newly launched ACC Global Alumni Network.Symbol of Connection: The piece represents a private collaborative space designed to unite over 6,000 ACC alumni across various disciplines and regions.Artistic Vision: The work embodies the ACC's core mission of advancing international dialogue and cultural exchange to foster a more harmonious world.Legacy of Excellence: By serving as the face of this initiative, Roldan's art highlights the enduring impact of the ACC fellowship on his career and his role in the global artistic community.Just featured at https://www.pressenza.com/2026/01/the-asian-cultural-council-global-alumni-network-amiel-gerald-a-roldan/
He is a Filipino multidisciplinary visual artist, printmaker, painter, independent curator, researcher, writer, and cultural worker whose practice spans contemporary art, curatorial work, and cultural advocacy. He has been active in the Philippine art scene since the late 1990s and has worked with galleries, museums, artist-run spaces, and international cultural organizations.
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A multidisciplinary Filipino artist, poet, researcher, and cultural worker whose practice spans painting, printmaking, photography, installation, and writing. He is deeply rooted in cultural memory, postcolonial critique, and in bridging creative practice with scholarly infrastructure—building counter-archives, annotating speculative poetry like Southeast Asian manuscripts, and fostering regional solidarity through ethical art collaboration.
He has been active in the Philippine art scene since the late 1990s and has worked with galleries, museums, artist-run spaces, and international cultural organizations.His practice appears to represent several interconnected concerns:
Cultural work as artistic practice. Roldan has argued that the labor of curating, organizing exhibitions, teaching, documentation, and cultural administration should be understood as creative work rather than merely support work. This perspective has been reflected in his writings and exhibitions.
Social and political engagement. His artworks frequently address politics, religion, faith, denial, courage, social inequality, and the everyday experiences of Filipinos. He has stated that he draws inspiration from Filipino cultural practices while approaching painting, printmaking, and installation from a conceptual perspective.
Printmaking and conceptual art. Roldan is particularly recognized for his printmaking, with works shown internationally, including exhibitions in Japan and France. His practice also encompasses painting, photography, installation, and curatorial research.
International cultural exchange. A significant milestone in his career was receiving an Asian Cultural Council fellowship in 2003, which enabled him to undertake research and create work in the United States while engaging with artists and curators internationally.
More broadly, Roldan's work represents an attempt to bridge artistic production, curatorial practice, scholarship, and cultural activism. His writings often emphasize postcolonial discourse, cultural memory, and the ethics of artistic collaboration, positioning the artist not only as a maker of objects but also as a builder of cultural infrastructure.
In the Philippine contemporary art context, he can be understood as representing the figure of the artist-curator-cultural worker—someone who contributes both through making artworks and through developing exhibitions, mentoring artists, and fostering institutional and independent cultural initiatives.
Recent show at ILOMOCA
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Amiel Gerald A. Roldan™ started Independent Curatorial Manila™ as a nonprofit philanthropy while working for institutions simultaneously early on.
The Independent Curatorial Manila™ or ICM™ is a curatorial services and guide for emerging artists in the Philippines. It is an independent/voluntary services entity and aims to remain so. Selection is through proposal and a prerogative temporarily. Contact above for inquiries.
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