Give Up Tomorrow

Give Up Tomorrow is a part of the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival World Documentary Competition. Watching this reminds me of the horror stories we are used to hearing about the criminal justice system in the Philippines. As a Filipina-American, I'm reminded of many talks I've had with my family about the legal system in the Philippines and how they usually end with... "Well, that's just how it is there" or "It's the Philippines, it's corrupt". It really begs the question, is it too late for change?

"Give Up Tomorrow is an intimate documentary feature about the case of Paco Larrañaga, a student accused of killing two sisters on the provincial island of Cebu. An introduction to the fragile democracy of a former Spanish and US colony, the film points to a huge crisis in the Philippine criminal justice system exposing the high-profile miscarriage of justice, extraordinary judicial violations, and the increasing abuse of civil liberties in the post-Marcos era.

Paco’s case was defended by international human rights organizations, including Amnesty and the UN, whose efforts led to the abolishment of capital punishment in the Philippines. By putting a face on those whose lives are jeopardized by the breakdown of democracy and justice, Give Up Tomorrow hopes to create action and awareness, maximize the presence of its intentions, and amplify the universal issues at hand."

Source: Project Heal Manila