12 STEM A (St.

Lorenzo Ruiz)
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Group 4:
Aluning, Marvin Passi, Latreall
Toralba, Jet Belga, Ira Vivienne
Brutas, Ellysa Gonzales, Sahara Faye
Lumbania, Suue Racel

 Chosen Theme : Criminal Injustice

 Relevance of the theme to today’s generation:
“Criminal Injustice” as the theme is very relevant in the 21 st century world,
specifically in the Philippines. It still prevails because of the fact that societal classes
and division between the rich and the poor hinders the latter to achieve equal rights
and power in the society. Majority of the innocent lives taken here in the Philippines
because of unpolished raids and operations are still longing and thirsty for justice
because of long trials times and low conviction rates that make justice difficult to
achieve in the country; thus, leading to a decaying “justice” system.
 Literary pieces:
Upuan (song by Gloc-9)
Tatsulok (song by Bamboo)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (directed by Alfonso Cuarion)
Miracle in Cell no.7 (directed by Lee Hwan Kyung)
Give Up Tomorrow (a documentary
The Flash (series by Tom Cavanagh, Geoff Johns and Andrew Kreisberg)
ML (directed by Benedict Mique Jr.)
On the Job (directed by Erik Matti)
 Critical Questions:
1. How worse is the prevailing social triangle in the society and in what ways
can we abolish this kind of ideology?
2. Why are the poor always convicted and imprisoned just because of minor
crimes while the rich are freely living in spite all their major crimes?
3. Is money the root for all criminal injustices or are there more causes?
4. Is the government doing enough to at least minimize these injustices or do
we need a reform in our country’s system? how?
5. Can we blame the policemen and other crime fighting forces for causing
injustices in the system because of their unpolished and unnecessary raids?
Why?
6. Putting-in the issue of bringing back death penalty, is it worth it or are we
putting Filipino citizens into danger?
7. What are the responsibilities of individuals in regard to issues of criminal
injustice?
8. What are the factors that contribute to the imbalance of power in the
community?
• Critical Questions:
1. How worse is the prevailing social triangle in the society and in what ways can
we abolish this kind of ideology?
- The hierarchy, where those who struggle financially are at the bottom and are at risk
of being blamed for crimes they have not done while those who have power take their
place at the top. (tatsulok-bamboo)
- The government doesn’t mind those who are poor and powerless, they pretend as if
nothing is happening and turns a blind eye to those who are in need of help as long it
doesn’t affect the position they hold. (Upuan gloc 9) As the song have indicated they
should see what is happening to the people of the country they serve and do something
about the issues that is present in the community

2. Why are the poor always convicted and imprisoned just because of minor crimes
while the rich are freely living in spite all their major crimes?
- The poor has no power nor money to fight for their rights while the rich can use their
power and riches to free themselves

3. Is money the root for all criminal injustices or are there more causes?
- In the movie manila kingpin it is seen that a police officer can be bribed with money
and everyone is fighting over power and those power seek for money from the weak.

4. Is the government doing enough to at least minimize these injustices or do we

need a reform in our country’s system? how?
- Crime and corruption is rampant in the Philippines because of its decaying justice
system. IBP Vice President Domingo “Egon” Cayosa reiterated this, pointing out that
extra-judicial killings are merely “symptoms” of a failed and failing justice system. we
need a reform in our country because, “If we cannot and do not say and do our best to
stop these from happening, then everything we have fought for for the last 40 years is
going to go down the drain,” (Diokno)