Postscripts from the Acquittal

December 14, 2011 marked the anniversary of Hubert Webb's freedom. That is, after spending more than 15 years in prison for a crime he clearly did not do.

I have learned much from studying the case and the dynamics that surrounded it--no matter how unpretty they were. But more than anything else, the best lesson taught to me by my curious quest is the primacy of logic over punishment, and of truth over communal belief. Justice would have been never served for the Vizconde women without opening ourselves to facts and moreso, if we reproach the wrong men for the sake of putting several someones on the receiving end of punishment. Sadly, up to this day, the case remains unsolved. (Read more at The Blind Lady in World of Womanity.)

When the Supreme Court decision was read on TV last year, I was reeling from the shock of an epinephrine shot during a week-long hospital confinement. It was not at all a very pleasant experience yet, the news somehow made me forget about my ordeal, considering the far more bigger battles fought by everyone who believed in Hubert's innocence (and by the man himself). Some of us had been condemned for stating the facts and even the innocent ones were brought into a virtual word fight.

That everyone includes my friends at the Justice for Hubert Webb group who I came to know, quite accidentally, as part of my quest.

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In celebration of the the first anniversary of his acquittal, Hubert held a Thanksgiving Mass last Wedenesday in Parañaque City. Family and friends attended, including his fellow acquitted, Pyke Fernandez, and former legal counsels, Former Senator Rene Saguisag and Atty, Vitaliano Aguirre.

The group with former senators Freddie Webb and Rene Saguisag,  Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre, and Hubert's brothers, Fritz and Mike.

The group with the Webb brothers--Mike, Fritz, Hubert and Jason.

Photo shows Pyke and Hubert.

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"The duty of the prosecution is not merely to secure a conviction, but to secure a just conviction."

-- Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Serreno

* Credits to Alma Go for the pictures.

Of dreams and means . . . and EDSA

Former US Senator John Kerry referred to the EDSA Revolution as an “event … [that] reminded us all of dreams which can be achieved by peaceful means” in his note to our late former President Cory Aquino.

Although written 25 years ago, the line fittingly reverberates today the message of the EDSA Revolution. This is a good reminder not just to public servants but more importantly, to each and everyone of us who dream, that we must not succumb to selfish and harmful ways.

Earlier in the afternoon, Ayala Foundation EVP Bill Luz shared how things have significantly changed for some and remained the same for others decades after the revolution. He recounted the story of a ten-year old girl whose photo was taken by Pulitzer Price-winning photographer Kim Komenich in a farm in Negros back in '86. He finds her 25 years later in the same farm under similar conditions but already with a number of kids.

Now I ask, what does this say of our dreams and the means we use to reach them?

From how I see it, our triumph in EDSA should have brought us closer to achieving social justice – democracy's fringe benefit. And while I understand that attaining a state of equality is purely utopian, I can't help but ask, how come the rich find themselves richer and the poor even poorer?

There are other ways, you know, like roads that lead to bridges between the rich and the poor, allowing both to mutually grow.

It is my fervent wish that all of us find the way to these roads.

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I made a quick viewing of the "Revolution Revisited" exhibit that's currently on display at the Ayala Museum and couldn't resist viewing the documentaries one more time.

Thank you, Ninoy. Thank you, Cory. And thank you to all of you nameless folks who strove to give me the opportunity to speak my mind freely.

This is the dress worn

by former President Aquino

during her oathtaking. Love it! ♥