Benefit of the Doubt

 

The Philippines is experiencing constant red tagging or an act of extra judicial tagging of a person as terrorist or rebel among its citizen. Thus; justice department issued a statement supporting a House Bill to criminalize the so called ‘red-tagging’.

 

So, why is it important to issue a Benefit of the Doubt to any person or group of people?

 

The act of calling someone a terrorist without sufficient proof is frowned upon, as it is irresponsible and malicious. As Art 3 Sec. 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that all person shall be protected by the due process clause. It has been understand that due process is both: substantive and procedural.

So much has been said about due process, however; many are still victimize by whimsical deprivation of anything related to Life, liberty, and property. Life of a person can be associated in multitude means. One can say that tainted reputation is similar to deprivation of life, as we know life doesn't mean only breathing, but also the quality of life per se. Hence, nobody shall be deprive of a clean reputation, as well as of achieving a dignified position in the community. If a person will be disqualified from a competition, he/she should be entitled to due process. Substantive due process provides that, one must be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him. And procedural due process entails the process in which a person can answer the accusations against him. The due process clause is being observe from the core down to periphery of the society. In fact, workers are also entitled to it, while facing a job termination. That said, should not be this apply as well to fair competition across community?

 

If we are the society that truly detest ‘red-tagging’, as such act is repugnant to due process clause, are we not supposed to warrant a benefit of the doubt before depriving anybody a chance to life? Winning with fair tactics is nothing like heaven, but denial of due process is nothing but a clear loose of impartiality. Remember that lady-justice is depicted blindfolded to symbolize unbiased administration of law; to decide in any controversy based on its merits, and not to what the naked eyes dictates. Our opinion are remarkably important but when it is clouding our judgment, one must abstain from commencing a decision to red tag someone; or to disqualify anyone from a chance to life. It would be better to always presume a benefit of a doubt, and weigh evidence accordingly. As what we deprived to others maybe deny to us in the future.