Acquitted?

Convicted or acquitted, it doesn't really matter now. Nicole recanted, and is now in the US, while her 'acquitted rapist is probably now on board the plane back to the US too.

Acquittal is not saying that Smith is innocent, in his previous statements we can recall that he acknowledged having sex with Nicole that time but was too drunk to remember if he forced her or not. Nicole says the same thing, thus, the basis of her recantation.

Now the problem is this, while the whole nation rallied behind Nicole when she cries help as she was raped by Smith, then later recanting her testimony? Where do we stand? It's like being suspended in thin air not knowing what really happened or what's next. You fought for her then the next day she's gone to the US deciding to forget 'her past'. But what about us? What about those thousands of supporters who rallied behind her?

What will you feel? I call this media frenzy, but not to worry it's not just the Philippines who's suffering from it.This is an internationally recognized phenomenon caused by the world seeing women as the weaker sex. Media and law seems to be in cohorts when saying that women are victims and men are mere perpetrators. Now who's the real victim? I really don't know, but if this happens to me, i'll be very scared to watch TV or even read the news.

My friend once told me that in law, there are actually four truths. One is that of the victim, another one for the perpetrator, one based on the law and lastly the truth which we may never be heard or be known at all.

This is my point, it does not follow that when a woman cries foul of rape or abuse, must we believe them right away. Pity those men who were falsely accused. Where do they go for help? Most of us go after these men because we assume that women will not simply cry for help or scream rape in order to protect their dignity. What about us? What about men? Is being accused of rape or abuse a status which we can be dignified for?

This is just another case of Andres seeking vindication. But again, as they say, the damage has been done. Will we be next? Remember we don't have the US at our back, we only have ourselves and the few pennies left in our pockets to defend ourselves and regain our dignity and wait for those who accused you, do a Nicole.