The Union of the Masses for Democracy and Justice (UMDJ), a coalition of organizations of poor and marginalized sectors, today expressed our support to Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francis Garchitorena and his courageous stance to uphold the truth and the rule of law. Justice Garchitorena’s letter to the Supreme Court proved Sandiganbayan’s Third Division Chairman Associate Justice Anacleto Badoy ineptness, laziness and incompetence that all the more merit his inhibition in hearing and presiding over the plunder case against President Joseph Estrada.

Justice Badoy is sticking like leech in handling the plunder case not because it is a calling from God but because it is being exacted from him by the hooting throng - the EDSA Dos mob. Justice Badoy shoulld put an end to his irreverence and blasphemy and refrain from using God to justify his actions and decisions. With his manifested bias against President Estrada and his links with Couples for Christ (CFC), a known anti-Estrada Group, what is moral for him to do is to inhibit himself from the plunder trial or resign from the Sandiganbayan!

We condemned PlunderWatch and their bankrupt tactics of wailing and howling whenever their lies and deception with regard to the accusations they hurled against President Estrada were uncovered. The people, particularly the poor, will not bite your theatrics. We already know that the crisis we have now is brought about by your conspiracy to grab power from the duly constituted government of President Estrada. While their falsehoods are unearthed, this early, PlunderWatch should confess their sins, make amend and apologize to the Filipino people.

We challenge Justice Garchitorena not to waver in his stand and not be swayed by the EDSA Dos mob and continue to light the fire of hope for our judicial system. The people, particularly the poor, and God surely is behind your cause!