American Justice Prevails Again

Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, Enron Corp. two former top executives, were convicted of conspiracy and fraud by a federal jury for one of the biggest scandals in US history. Jurors found the once wealthy and powerful corporate chiefs repeatedly lied to cover up accounting tricks and business failures that led to the 2001 collapse, wiping out more than $60 billion in market value, almost $2 billion in pension plans and 5,600 jobs.

Sentencing is set on Sept. 11, 2006. The charges against Lay carry a maximum penalty in prison for 45 years for the corporate trial and 120 years in the personal banking trial. The charges against Skilling carry a maximum penalty of 185 years in prison.

The conspiracy conviction was a major victory for the government, serving as a bookend to an era that saw prosecutors win convictions against top executives from World Com, Inc, Adelphia Communications Corp. and Martha Stewart.

Just goes to show that in the United States, no matter who you are as long as you have committed a criminal offense, the long arm of the law will catch up with you sooner or later. How I wish the same can be said of the Philippines, where unfortunately, justice is only reserved for those in the upper echelon. Can't blame the plight of the poor as they often have to resort to rendering justice by themselves or through the aid of the NPA, especially in the remote areas of the provinces where the rebels' swift justice is still prevalent.

Everyone knows the Marcoses' looted our country's wealth by leaps and bounds. Has justice been served? Hell no! And to make matters worse, there is speculation that the government is in deep talks with Imelda for a compromise resolution to this matter. Naman! Sila na ang nagnakaw, tapos ang gobyerno pa ang nakikipag areglo sa mga criminal! Plleeeaaassseee!!!!