Write-up about Open Forum in Frimley

Written by Daisy Brett-Holt | 16 March 2011

The Philippine Jury International (renamed as Philippine Jury Initiative) held its first open forum about Good Governance and the Jury System on 20 February 2011 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish Hall in Frimley, Camberley, Surrey.  The two objectives of the forum were: To propose to the Filipinos that the Jury System is a major solution to the worsening graft and corruption gripping our country and to call on to the Overseas Filipinos to provide the momentum in forcing a change on our rotten and flawed judicial system.
The ‘People Power Revolution’ twenty five years ago that toppled President Marcos did not succeed in bringing down graft and corruption because the people did not know what to replace the system with.  Although we toppled Marcos, we replaced him with the same type of politicians and kept the same flawed judicial system that breeds corrupt leaders.  This is due to the fact that there is no effective mechanism in our Constitution that would serve as a check and balance to the power of our erring political leaders.
Read more... Add new comment

Open Forum Sunday 20 Feb 2011

Written by Administrator | 12 February 2011

Philippine Jury International Ltd
In cooperation with the Frimley Filipino Association

Cordially invites you to an OPEN FORUM on

Read more... Add new comment

UK Corruption

Written by Daisy Brett-Holt | 08 January 2011

UK Jury found an MP and an Officer of the Law GUILTY of CORRUPTION

A UK Member of Parliament , David Chaytor was brought down by his greed and stupidity.  This law-breaking law maker admitted before the jury, fraudulently claiming more than £20,000 in expenses.  He was sentenced 18 months in jail. Does this case sound familiar?  Very familiar, I should say.

Find out more at: http://www.channel4.com/news/mps-expenses-david-chaytor-jailed-for-18-months

Another celebrated case in UK is the jailing of an Officer of the Law, Commander Ali Dizaei.  Find out more at:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1249382/Ali-Dizaei-GUILTY-perverting-course-justice.html

These prove that corrupt people do exist in countries with a jury system.  The difference is that the severity is minimal compared to the unabated, widespread corrupt practises and the number of corrupt people in the Philippines.  Our flawed judicial system allows corruption to flourish.

The Vizconde Massacre and the Garcia Plea Bargain are just examples.

Add new comment

To the Jury System Sceptics

Written by Daisy Brett-Holt | 04 January 2011

(The letter below is from Elsa Bayani, a Jury System Sceptic.  It is followed by a rebuttal from me.)
Jury system will not solve economic, political and social problems. It is not the means to an end - a progressive Philippines.
Think about it - it will not deter crime. The U.S. jails and prisons are full beyond capacity. The jury system works perfect but people are not deterred by the US jury system to commit crimes that end them up in jails!
Crime is social, political, economic and personal. There are tremendous problems that Filipinos have to contend with - all these cannot be stopped - no jury system can help stop cri(The letter below is from Elsa Bayani, a Jury System Sceptic.  It is followed by a rebuttal from me.)

(The letter below is from Elsa Bayani, a Jury System Sceptic.  It is followed by a rebuttal from me.)

Jury system will not solve economic, political and social problems. It is not the means to an end - a progressive Philippines.

Think about it - it will not deter crime. The U.S. jails and prisons are full beyond capacity. The jury system works perfect but people are not deterred by the US jury system to commit crimes that end them up in jails!

Crime is social, political, economic and personal. There are tremendous problems that Filipinos have to contend with - all these cannot be stopped - no jury system can help stop crime.

Read more... Comments (1)

DOJ Sec. De Lima: Philippines not ready for Jury System

Written by Daisy Brett-Holt | 22 December 2010

In a Manila Bulletin interview by Aris R. Ilagan on 11 Dec 2010, DOJ Secretary De Lima said that “Amid allegations of inefficiency, lack of manpower and corruption in the ranks of the judiciary, the country is not ready to adopt a Jury System patterned over the court proceedings in the United States in a bid to hasten and improve the delivery of justice to both the victim and the accused in the Philippines.”

Her reasons were:

  • The Philippine judicial system’s immaturity; and
  • The dissimilarity between the Filipino and American culture.

She explains further that we are clannish (ang dami nating kamag-anak); we are a very friendly people (ang dami nating barkada); and we are patronising due to our religious practices of kumare and kumpadre.

Read more... Add new comment