Is Justice for Sale in your country?

@neildc (17238)
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
August 19, 2008 7:22am CST
Four years ago, a senate bill has passed to become a law. This is now known as Republic Act 9279: An Act Granting Additional Compensation in the Form of Special Allowances for the Members of the National Prosecution Service and the State Counsels in the Department of Justice, and for other purposes. The law creates the NPS Collection of Legals Fees which now collects fees from people seeking justice with the help of the public prosecution lawyers (fiscals). I am not in total opposition to this law and in some ways, i benefit from it though I am not a lawyer nor a prosecutor. But what keeps me from thinking if this law really benefits the people, or just another burden? What if a poor man comes to the office with no single centavo in his pocket, will he be served justice? There is one guy who was robbed. He came to the police and seeks help to file a case against unknown suspect. All necessary papers were prepared but when they went to the prosecution office, they were denied. He can't pay for the fees that the personnel asked him, to administer the oath, letting the fiscal sign his affidavits. Prosecution service is free before the passage of the said bill but now, even Justice is for sale. And I remember one lawyers told me before, "Justice for Sale, Justice Denied". (neildc @ red/89/1638)
6 responses
@pkraj111 (2458)
• India
19 Aug 08
It is Justice denied to poor man. Though the law may be necessary to keep unnecessary litigants at bay. it is a burden to the common man. In my country most of the people never entered a court house as they are all scared of it. Most of them are denied justice as they cannot pay for court fees and litigation cost. I would like to add one more thing about Justice,Justice Delayed is Justice Denied
1 person likes this
@neildc (17238)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
20 Aug 08
this is also one reason why some people do not go to court and as they say, put justice in their own hands.
@kerriannc (4279)
• Jamaica
24 Aug 08
Everything in my country is for sale. The Justice System here is terrible and the Government wants to resume Hanging but because of the rotten Justice System that cannot happen. It is good that your Government is looking after the citizens of your country.
1 person likes this
@littleowl (7157)
20 Aug 08
Hi neil here in the UK it is quite hard to find a lawyer whom will take a person on who cant pay legal fees but there are a few about...legal fees nowadays are so expensive its just not fair for those who cant afford it..so where is there justice?
@neildc (17238)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
20 Aug 08
that is actually my point here, littleowl, they seems to be so unfair for the poor man to seek justice. and if you don't have money, you can just stay put and be sorry.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
Sometimes, I would wish that lawyers should no longer be necessary to depend a case. I fully understand what you really mean. What will happen to poor people who been oppressed, rob, killed etc. They will just keep their hatred on themselves and take the vengeance on their own? Justice in our country is almost always for sale and right... it is the same as Justice Denied.
19 Aug 08
Hi Neil, That is really bad, so if you don't have mone and you a need lawyer to take someone to court you can't, in the U.K we have this system it called legal Aid, it you cannot afford the lawyer the goverment pays for you. Tamara
@neildc (17238)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
20 Aug 08
actually, complaining parties seek free assistance from the prosecution office but now collects fees in some services. while the accused can also seek free legal assistance from the public attorney's office. i heard lately that PAO collects some fees also. so we can really say the justice is for sale here.
@msedge (4011)
• United States
24 Aug 08
It's just simply means that theres no voice for the poor people anymore and the power of money is really strong.It is very frustrating.I wish theres one brave person that would fight for the right for the poor people so there will be justice for the those where unfairly judge.I know there are alot of poor people who suffered in prison who didn't commit any crime and were just framed up by the wealthy ones.So sad that money is really that powerful on earth.