Agra Aggravates Prosecutors, Journalists, Families and Everyone Else

Pun intended, Justice Secretary Alberto Agra has already aggravated many with his controversial decision to drop murder charges against two members of the Ampatuan clan - Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Maguindanao Vice Gov. Akmad Ampatuan Sr.

Rumors and speculation abounds that it is all because of political pressure to release one of the best if not the best election rigging entities to assure a win for a certain Presidentiable - rumors say it's Villar but that remains to be seen.

How true? Well there have been hints and innuendos but no concrete proof as of yet. As to the political pressure there is no doubt that it has been brought to bear.

That the decision is disappointing is an understatement to say the least. After all, what was the need for Agra to intervene when the case against the two Ampatuans had already been filed in court.

The best body to determine whether there is probably cause to continue with the case should have been the courts since the ball was already on their court (this time no pun intended).

Witness or no witness, weak case or no weak case shouldn't it be up to the courts to decide the merits of the case not someone who hasn't even been a year on the job and wouldn't have had time to go over the records of the case against all of the accused.

That the family of those killed in the massacre are outrage is of no surprise. With that one decision their pain and anguish and calls for justice has been rudely cast aside.

As for the prosecutors who dared to stand up against their superior I say more power to them. Just because the top said this is how it should doesn't necessarily mean that they are correct.

That's why it is such a stupid thing to allow review all the way up to the secretary of justice. That's just moronic, a waste of time and resources, and circumvents due process of law.

The court in this case should stand firm and overturn the decision of Agra and continue on with the case against the Ampatuans.

If only to give a glimmer of hope of justice prevailing against all odds - politics or otherwise.