STATEMENT OF THE IBP

NO TO IMPEACHMENT DEFEND THE INSTITUTION

 

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the official organization of lawyers, expresses its grave concern over the breakneck impeachment of

the Chief Justice based on grounds that subvert the constitutional allocation of powers and prerogatives of the Supreme Court as the final

interpreter of the law and arbiter of judicial disputes as enshrined in the Constitution.

The impeachment has placed on trial not only the Chief Justice but the entire Supreme Court. The grounds invoked to impeach the Chief

Justice refer to collegial decisions of the Supreme Court involving interpretations of law in actual disputes elevated for review, particularly

the following:

a) The invalidation by the Supreme Court of the Executive Order

creating the Truth Commission;

b) The upholding by the Supreme Court of the laws enacted by

Congress and the Senate involving the creation of the province of

Dinagat Island, the conversion of 16 municipalities into cities, and

creation of a new congressional district in Camarines Sur;

c) The issuance by the Supreme Court of a status quo ante order in the

impeachment proceedings against former Ombudsman

Merceditas Gutierrez;

d) The issuance by the Supreme Court of a Temporary Restraining

Order (TRO) against the Watchlist Order preventing the travel

abroad of the former President under a travel authority issued by

Congress for medical reasons.

In all of the cited cases, the record shows that the Chief Justice was not the ponente but merely concurred in the majority or minority opinion.

Neither did the Chief Justice flip‐flop or change his position in any of these cases. The decisions were reached by the Supreme Court pursuant

to its processes and subjected to reconsideration proceedings. They all involve interpretation of what the law is.

Even the two other grounds cited in the impeachment – failure to submit the SALN and account for the JDF and SAJ collections – also

involve the assertion by the Supreme Court of its fiscal autonomy. Pursuant to a 1992 SC Resolution, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices

are filing their SALN directly with the Clerk of Court ‐‐ and not with any other government unit‐‐ in keeping with its independent status. It has

also exercised its authority over the SAJ and JDF collections in keeping with its fiscal autonomy, which the Commission on Audit has not disallowed.

By impeaching the Chief Justice based on decisions issued by the Supreme Court now claimed to be unconstitutional, the House is in effect

arrogating unto itself the power to interpret the law over and above the Supreme Court. Such an impeachment has transformed the House of

Representatives as the higher interpreter of what the law is, a clear encroachment on the prerogatives exclusively vested by the Constitution

in the Supreme Court itself. If the exercise of judicial review by the Supreme Court to pass upon the acts of other departments of government and to interpret the

applicable laws could warrant congressional impeachment – despite the absence of any allegations of financial or illegal consideration ‐‐ then the

great constitutional doctrines of separation of powers and judicial supremacy on matters of interpretation of the law would completely

crumble and fall apart.

While we support the reform agenda of the President, its implementation must respect – and not subvert ‐‐ the constitutional

allocation of powers. Of the three branches of government, the judiciary is the weakest. It does not have the powerful sword of the President or the

awesome purse of Congress. Its only weapon is the passive power of judicial review.

If that constitutional weapon is despoiled, then its effectiveness as the protective mantle against potential excesses of power by the President and

Congress would be defanged and rendered inutile. If the Supreme Court is emasculated by partisan actions, to whom shall the people turn to against

excesses by those who are in power? The lessons of the past should be learned.

As sentinel of freedom and democracy, the IBP considers the breakneck and high ‐handed impeachment delivered by the House as a

menace and an open subversion of the constitutional prerogatives of the Supreme Court as the final interpreter of the law and the arbiter of rights.

Thus, the IBP, cognizant of its institutional mandates, calls upon the stakeholders and the pillars of the justice system to rally behind and

defend the Supreme Court as an institution of democracy and the Rule of Law.

 

ROAN I. LIBARIOS

National President & Chairman of the Board

 

DENIS B. HABAWEL OLIVIA V. JACOBA DOMINIC C.M. SOLIS

Governor for Northern Luzon Governor for Central Luzon Governor for Greater Manila

 

VICENTE M. JOYAS LEONOR L. GERONA-ROMEO MANUEL L. ENAGE, JR.

Governor for Southern Luzon Governor for Bicolandia Governor for Eastern Visayas

 

ERWIN M. FORTUNATO ISRAELITO P. TORREON FLORENDO B. OPAY

Governor for Western Visayas Governor for Eastern Mindanao Governor for Western Mindanao

 

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Tanong ng isang ordinaryong pinoy

Sa aking kaka facebook, ito ang aking nabasa, link sa blog ni rep. teddy… http://teddycasino.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/privilege-speech-on-the-impeachment-complaint-vs-chief-justice-corona/

sa aking pagbabasa, medyo ako ay naguluhan kung kaya may mga komento at tanong ako. hindi po ako isang anti gma o pro pnoy, ako po ay isang ordinaryong tao na naguguluhan at nais maglabas ng nasa saloobin.  ito po ang kanyang artikulo.

Privilege speech on the impeachment complaint vs Chief Justice Corona

14122011

Privilege Speech of Rep. Teddy Casiño December 14, 2011

I rise on a matter of personal and collective privilege to clarify a news article that came out in today’s issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The said article quotes me as saying that congressmen were clueless on the contents of the impeachment complaint and that we were prevented from reading the complaint prior to signing. The conclusion is that the complaint was signed by people who did not know what they were doing or getting into.

Mr. Speaker, the quotes attributed to me are accurate. However, they were made before the Majority caucus last Monday, during which time we still had no idea what the complaint would contain nor were given advanced copies of the same.

It was during the caucus at Andaya Hall that the complaint was presented and made available for viewing. After the caucus, the matter had become crystal clear. I, together with my colleagues in the Makabayan partylist bloc met separately and discussed, debated and finally decided to sign the complaint. I was no. 152 inthe list.

Siyam na taon po tayong nagtiis sa ilalim ng administrasyong Arroyo. Ginamit ng dating presidente ang Kongreso, ang Hudikatura, ang militar at ang COMELEC para gawing ang kanilang mga karumaldumal na gawain. Ang pagsisinungaling, pandaraya, pagnanakaw at pagpaslang ay isinagawa ng walang pakundangan ng mga taong dapat ay nagtataguyod ng katarungan, demokrasya, karapatang pantao at rule of law.

-interestingly, mr. teddy is a member of the legislative department… “law makers” they were the ones who create laws. Thus, they should be familiar with the laws. Tama po ba na sabihin ko na  kasama sa ating batas ang “presumption of innocence”? Mr. Teddy, napatunayan na ba ang karumaldumal na gawain, pagsisinungaling, pandaraya, pagnanakaw at pagpaslang? hindi ba mas maganda pakinggan bilang isang mambabatas na gamitin ang salitang “alegasyon””bintang”? isa ka sa mga nagtataguyod ng demokrasya, karapatang pantao at rule of law, ngunit bakit wala ka magawa noong sa mga negatibong alegasyon laban sa ating presidente? bakit para yatang tahimik ka pagdating sa ibang bagay? nagsasalita ka lamang basta may kinalaman kay ginang arroyo?

Ngayon ang dating pangulo at mga kasapakat niya ay pinapanagot sa kanilang mga krimen sa bayan. Pero lumalaban sila. At ngayon ginagamit nila ang lahat, pati ang Chief Justice na dating chief of staff, spokesperson at legal adviser ni Mrs. Arroyo bago siya binigyan ng midnight appointment sa kanyang kasalukuyang pusisyon.

-katulad sa nasabi ko, kung pinapangalagaan mo ang demokrasya at rule of law, paano mo nasabi na ginagamit ang chief justice? parang iyong sinasabi na kung ang isang tao ay naging spokesperson at legal adviser ni arroyo ay di na maaari magampanan ang ibang tungkulin. ano po ba ang gusto mo? magappoint ng CJ si PNOY at gaano kayo kasigurado na ang CJ na maiuupo ay hindi magiging sunud sunuran sa Pangulo? hindi po ba na mas maganda na ang nagappoint ay iba upang makasiguro na balanse ang sistema at walang kinikilingan o pinapaboran kahit na ang mismong pangulo?

For this we impeached the Chief Justice last Monday. We did it in the fastest way possible – by gathering at least 1/3 members of the House to stand as complainants. That is provided for in the Constitution and our Rules. It was swift, yes, but it was also fair, legal, and did not prejudice anyone’s rights. If it were not, I and my colleagues in the progressive party list bloc would not have signed the complaint.

-ano po ba ang masasabi mo sa ibang kongresista na mismong nagsalita ukol sa proseso ng inyong impeachment? sino po ba ang papaniwalaan namin?

(eto ang sagot)

I therefore resent any insinuations made by one of our colleagues that we were bamboozled into signing the complaint. That we signed this because we fear the non-release of our pork barrel. For those of us who did sign under duress, I suggest you withdraw your signatures.

Wala naman hong pilitan dito. If you don’t believe in the complaint, then don’t sign it. Huwag kayong magpapaniwala sa tsismis na ang pipirma mauuna ang release ng pork barrel at ang hindi pipirma walang pork barrel. Matanda na tayo para maniwala sa ganyang klaseng pambobola ng kapwa pulitiko. I should know, I have been here for 8 years. But really, if that’s what it takes to stand for your principles, then don’t whine about it. Huwag po tayong maging OA.

-DONT WHINE ABOUT IT.

Impeachment is the manner in which we show the people that even the highest executive official, our constitutional commissioners, and yes, even the Gods in Padre Faura are always accountable to the people and cannot rise above them. This is not an attack on the Court by its enemies. This is an attack by the people’s elected representatives on those who would use the Court for evil, selfish ends.

-maari po ba nating sabihin na si pnoy ay may selfish ends dahil sa kagustuhan nyang hawakan ang korte suprema? ano po ang masasabi nyo kay father bernas?  sabi po nya ay ito ay pagatake hindi lamang kay chief justice ngunit sa buong hudikatura. samakatuwid ang inyong ginawa ay may epekto.” chilling effect” ayon kay father Bernas.  Umayon din po dito ang IBP at si Senator Santiago.

We supported the impeachment complaint because Chief Justice Corona has to be held accountable for using his position not just to protect the former president from prosecution but to justify and legalize the many anti-people acts that she did when she was still president. The list is long – the NBN-ZTE contract, EO 464, Proclamation 1017 immediately comes to mind. And lately his vote on EO 1, the Truth Commission, and the TRO that would have allowed Mrs. Arroyo to leave the country to escape prosecution.

-ako po ay nagtataka, bakit po yata na ang dalawang de venecia ay hindi maisali sa inyong reklamo sa NBN ZTE deal na yan? hindi po ba na ipinagbabawal ang isang opisyal ng gobyerno at kanyang mga anak o kamaganak na masangkot sa mga transakyon ng gobyerno? bakit mukang nasentro lamang kay GMA at hindi nyo mabalingan si de venecia mismo? hindi ba sila ay mag ama? Bakit hindi sila mapanagot? dahil witness na ang batang de venecia? paano naman po ang matandang de venecia?

-sa Truth Commission naman po ay mukang natatama lamang ang desisyon. May ombudman, may sandiganbayan, bakit po gagawa ng isang batas laban sa isang tao lamang? alam nyo naman po siguro ang mga batayan sa pag gawa ng batas, utos, o ordinansa upang ito ay maging lihal o naayon sa konstitusyon, ngunit bakit iginigiit nyo po na sa mukha pa lang ay mali na.

– sa TRO naman po: nababasa nyo po ang utak ni Ginang Arroyo upang sabihin na tatakas sya? sa inyong pagaaral ng batas at 8 taon experience sa pulitika, tingin mo po ba na tama ang iyong sinasabi na tatakas sya? maaari po kayang ito ay kathang isip o kaya ay pre mature? kung inaalagaan mo po talaga ang konstitusyon at demokrasya, bakit po parang nilalabag mo ang konstitusyon sa ganyang posisyon. sana po ay neutral ka at totoong nababatay sa batas.

-bakit si CJ lang po? hindi po ba na may iba pang bumoto rin sa TRO?

We supported the impeachment complaint because we believe that the Judiciary should be independent and not kowtow to the whims and caprice of the Executive. We do not want the Arroyo court to become an Aquino court. That is the last thing we want to do. We want the Supreme Court to be independent and to be the bastion of justice that it is supposed to be.

-ang inyo pong dahilan kaya sinuportahan nyo ang pagimpeach ay para maging independent and not kowtow to the whims and caprice of the executive. Yan po ba ang grounds para maimpeach ang isang justice ng korte suprema? ang inyong dahilan po ba ay ayon sa kontitusyon? kung magtagumpay po na maalis sa pwesto si CJ Corono, nakakasiguro po ba kayo na magiging independente ang korte suprema o magiging “tuta” ng ating pangulo”

Thank you Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues

-thank you. ito ay isang tanung lamang para sa kay mr casino. malaki ang respeto ko kay mr teddy bilang kongresista. hindi po ito isang pagatake ngunit tinatawag na “constructive criticism”

CJ Corona’s Speech

AKO ANG UNANG TAGAPAGTANGGOL NG HUSTISYA

Isang mainit at mapagpalayang hapon po sa ating lahat!

Tunay na hustisya, kadakilaan ng Kataastaasang Hukuman, at kalayaan ng hudikatura,

tatlo pong prinsipyo na nagbibigay sa akin – sa ating lahat – ng lakas at tapang na harapin ang

hamon at pagsubok na bunga ng masamang pulitika.

HINDI PO TAYO PAPAYAG NA

LAPASTANGANIN AT ALIPUSTAHIN ANG

DEMOKRASYA, AT ANG KORTE SUPREMA!

Sa isang iglap, nasampahan po ako ng isang impeachment complaint ng mababang

kapulungan na kontrolado ng Liberal Party ni Ginoong Aquino at ng kanyang mga kaalyado.

Sa sobrang bilis, parang wala po yatang nakaintindi o nakabasa man lang ng halos

animnapung pahinang reklamo o habla. Isang daan, walumpu’t walong kinatawan ang basta

na lamang lumagda rito para isulong ang aking impeachment. Kinikilala natin ang proseso ng

Saligang Batas para sa mga reklamo laban sa mga miyembro ng Korte Suprema. Ngunit ang

hindi natin kinikilala ay ang pag-abuso ng kapangyarihan at proseso para samantalahin

ang lahat ng paraan, makapagtalaga lamang sila ng sarili nilang mga mahistrado sa Korte

Suprema. Itong impeachment ay dala ng kasakiman na magkaroon ng isang Korte Suprema na

kayang diktahan, na nakukuha sa tingin, at

magkakandarapang ipatupad ang kanilang bawat hiling.

Tila yata’y napipikon at hindi sila makapagtalaga ng kanilang punong mahistrado

kung susundin ang ating umiiral na Saligang Batas. Kaya pati ang inyong lingkod, hadlang

daw sa kaunlaran ng bayan at pagpapatupad ng mga ipinangako sa kampanya!

Pasadahan po natin ang mga walang katuturang paratang ng ating mga magigiting na

mambabatas.  Walo (8) po ang hinain na paratang laban sa akin. Kaagad, makikitang

dalawang uri ang bintang na nilalaman nito: sa isang banda, ‘yung mga reklamong tumutukoy

sa mga personal kong kilos, at sa kabilang banda naman, ang mga reklamo na tumutukoy

sa mga opisyal na pagkilos o hatol ng Korte Suprema.

Mariin kong itinatanggi ang mga bintang na may katiwalian sa mga pansarili kong kilos.

Hindi po totoo ang sinasabing ayaw ko raw ilabas ang aking Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Ito’y isang dokumentong sinusumite ko taun-taon ng walang patid.

Malaking kasinungalingan ang paratang na ito. Ako raw po ay isang midnight appointee.

Dapat raw po, hindi ko tinanggap ang paghirang sa akin. Bakit po ba, para si Ginoong Aquino

ang makapagtalaga ng kaniyang sariling chief justice na hawak niya sa leeg? Mapapa-iling ka

talaga. Ang pagtatalaga sa inyong lingkod ay dumaan sa isang masusing proseso na ayon sa

ating Saligang Batas. Kasama po dito ang proseso ng Judicial and Bar Council na noon ay

pinangungunahan ng dating Punong Mahistrado

 Reynato Puno. Matagal na po itong pinagpasyahan ng Korte Suprema. Matagal

nang tapos ito. Kung may reklamo man sila sa hatol ng Korte Suprema, sana ay noon pa,

ipinaglaban na nila. Binubuhay ito para painitin ang damdamin

ng ating mga kababayan at mawalaan tayo ng tiwala sa Korte Suprema at hudikatura. Di po

ba’t may kasabihan na “ang isang kasinungalingan, kapag inulit ng inulit,

pagtagal, ay siyang tinatanggap bilang katotohanan?” Paano po naman naging

kasalanan ang pagtanggap ng isang dakilang karangalan tulad nito? Ito ay isa lamang pong paninira ng aking katapatan sa katungkulan, kasama na po ang puri at dangal ng Kataas taasang Hukuman.

Nguni’t ang kasukdulan ng pambabastos, sa aking pananaw, ay ang pagdawit ng aking maybahay

sa reklamong ito. Baka akala nila na sa ganitong paraan ako po’y madaling susuko.

Mapalad po ako na mayroon akong isang mabait at matatag na kasama sa buhay, na siya ring

pinagkukunan ko ng lakas at inspirasyon. Mahal na mahal kita, Tina.

Walang katotohan ang kanilang mga paratang – puro kasinungalingan. At patutunayan namin na ito ay isang pagblackmail

lamang. Lingid po yata sa kanilang kaalaman na si Ginang Corona ay una pang

naitalaga bago ako naging mahistrado. Bakit, hindi po ba dito sa kasalukuyang

administrasyon, mayroong isang mag-asawa, kasama ang kanilang mga anak, na may

matataas na puwesto?

Ang mga natitirang paratang ay ukol naman sa mga pasiya at iba pang matagal nang

patakaran ng Korte Suprema. Alalahanin po natin na ayon sa ating Saligang Batas, ang Korte

Suprema ay binubuo ng isang punong mahistrado at labing-apat na katulong na

mahistrado. Mayroon po lamang kaming tigiisang boto, at ito po ay pantay-pantay. Ang

aking boto ay kapareho lamang ng boto ng pinakahuling naitalagang mahistrado. Ang

pwersa at bisa ng aking pananaw ay kapantay lamang ng pwersa at bisa ng pananaw ng kahit

sino mang mahistrado. Pantay-pantay po kaming lahat dito.

At sa mga isyu na sinasabi nilang kaugnay sa dating pangulo, wala po kaming kinakatigan

dito sa hukumang ito. Ang aming pasiya ay pasiya ng buong Korte Suprema at resulta ng

mga indibidwal na opinyon. Ang opinyon ng isang mahistrado ay hindi desisyon ng Korte

Suprema. Kahit sinumang abogado ay magsasabi sa inyo na hindi po pwedeng yapakyapakan

ang karapatan ng sinuman sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas, habang hindi mo pa

napapatunayan na siya ay nagkasala. May mandato ang korte na ipagtanggol higit sa lahat

ang karapatang pang-tao ng indibidwal kontra sa labis-labis na kapangyarihan ng pamahalaan,

lalong-lalo pa kung wala pang naisasampang kaso. Matagal na itong prinsipio at hindi na

kailangang idebate.

Ito ang tinatawag na PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE and RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

Isampa ang tamang kaso sa loob ng wastong oras, na may tamang ebidensya, para walang

magawa ang korte kung di hatulan at ipakulong ang nagkasala sa lipunan. Panagutin natin ang

dapat managot, pero idaan natin sa wasto at tamang proseso sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas. Ano

po ba ang napakahirap intindihin sa bagay na ito?

Ibang-iba po ang palakad sa gabinete, sapagkat doon, lahat ng miyembro ay mga

alalay, alagad at utusan ng pangulo. Sa loob ng gabinete, ang utos ng hari, hindi nababali. Dito

po sa Korte Suprema, ang pananaw ng punong mahistrado ay isa lamang. Gaya nga ng sinabi ko, kami ay patas at pare-pareho lamang na nagbibigay halaga at respeto sa opinyon ng bawat isa. Wala po kaming tungkulin at balak

na maging sunod-sunuran sa isa’t-isa. Ngayon, ipagpalagay na natin na malimit kasama ko ang mayorya sa botohan, maari ba namang magmistulang pagkampi ito, samantalang nakararami kaming sumasangayon

sa isang pananaw? Kasalanan po ba na ako’y kasapi ng mayorya ng Korte sa iilang mga kaso? Marami din naman pong kaso na nasa menorya ako sapagka’t natalo sa botohan ang aming pananaw. Ito ang magpapatunay na

walang nagdidikta ng boto dito sa Korte Suprema.

Kaya nga po dito natin makikita ang likas na talino at sadyang makatarungan na sistema ng hustisya sa ating saligang batas: labing-lima po kami sa Korte Suprema, upang masiguro na mangibabaw ang pananaw ng mas nakakarami. Hindi maaring magtagumpay ang pananaw ng nag-iisang mahistrado.

Samakatuwid, itong mga paratang ng pagkiling laban sa akin ay bunga lamang ng malisya at kathang-isip. Malamang, umaasa ang mga kalaban ng Korte, na ako at ang ibang miyembro na di nila kayang diktahan, ay magbibitiw

sa tungkulin. At kung sakaling magtagumpay ang impeachment na ito laban sa akin, ano sa palagay ninyo ang mangyayari? Simple lang po mga mahal kong mga kababayan — kay Ginoong Aquino na ang gabinete, kontrolado na

niya ang kongreso, at hawak na niya ang Korte Suprema. Paulit-ulit nalang nilang isinisigaw

ang checks and balances ng three co-equal branches of government, ngunit ang kanilang

mga pagkilos ay patungo sa pagsakop sa buong sistema at kapangyarihan ng pamahalaan. Itong

mga itinatanim niyang gawain ay siguradong mamumunga lamang ng isang diktadura; isang

diktadura na nagmula sa paglilinlang at paglalason sa pag-iisip ng ating mga kababayan.

At ngayon, sasabihin ko po sa kanilang lahat: ako’y tumututol sa walang-tigil na pangaalipusta,

pangduduro at pananakot.

Ako’y tumututol sa dahan-dahang binubuong

diktadura ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon Aquino

Kahapon lamang, iginigiit ng palasyo na hindi raw ang Korte Suprema o hudikatura, at

ako lang daw, ang tinitira dito sa impeachment.

Ito po’y malaking kasinungalingan, dahil hindi ako naniniwala na si Renato Corona lang ang

tumututol sa diktadura. Walang katotohanan na si Renato Corona lamang ang gusto nilang

tanggalin sa Korte Suprema. Naniniwala po ako na tayong lahat ang kinakalaban, pati na ang

mga walang-malay nilang tagahanga.

Sapagkat ang tunay na layunin ay wasakin ang

hudikatura, wasakin ang ating demokrasya, at pairalin ang utos ng mahal na hari.

Ito ang patutunguhan ng baluktot na “Daang Matuwid.”

Matagal na po akong nagtitimpi. Hindi ko po maintindihan kung bakit nanggigigil ng husto

sa akin ang mahal nating pangulo, magmula pa po sa kanyang pagkaluklok sa pwesto.

Tuwing kami’y nagkikita, lubos kong pinararamdam na kami’y dapat mag-ugnayan,

magsama at magtulungan para sa bayan. Marami po tayong problema. Nandiyan po ang

mabagal na takbo ng ekonomiya, kawalan ng trabaho, kahirapan at kagutuman. Mukhang

hindi po niya naintindihan. Kamakailan lamang, tinuya na naman po

tayo ng harap-harapan. Tulad ng tunay na Kristianong Batangueño, tayo po ay nagpigil, at

ito po ay ating pinalampas.

WALA PO AKONG KASALANAN SA INYO,

GINOONG PANGULO. WALA PO AKONG

KASALANAN SA TAONG-BAYAN.

Sabi nila, sarili ko lang daw po ang

nakataya dito. Ang pinaglalaban po natin dito

ay ang kalayaan ng Korte Suprema, kalayaan ng

hudikatura, at ang pagtanggol ng demokrasya

sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas.

Hindi po ako papayag na sumuko sa matinding pagtatangka

na mapasailalim ng ibang sangay ng pamahalaan ang Korte Suprema. Una akong

tututol.

Una akong lalaban. Ginoong Pangulo, ako po ang

primus inter

pares

dito sa Korte Suprema. Ang ibig sabihin

po nito, kung kailangan ipaglaban ang Korte

Suprema, ako ang uuna. Huwag na po nating isubo ang Korte

Suprema sa ano pang pagsubok o batikos ng mga mapagsamantala. Yaman din lang na ang ipinaglalaban dito ay ang Korte Suprema at ang demokrasya, karangalan at katungkulan ko po na labanan itong impeachment para sa ating

lahat. Haharapin ko nang buong tapang at talino ang mga walang basehang paratang na ito, punto por punto, sa Senado. Handanghanda akong humarap sa paglilitis. Mga kasama, matapat kong sinasabi sa

inyo, mahimbing ang tulog ko at tahimik ang aking konsyensya dahil sa pagpapatupad ng

lahat ng aking mga tungkulin. Ako’y nanatiling matapat sa Panginoon, sa aking sarili, sa batas,

at sa sinumang tao. Para sa mga ngayon pa lang nakakarinig ng

aking panawagan, inaanyayahan ko kayong makiisa sa amin. Ngayon pa lamang ay taospuso

na ang aking pasasalamat sa inyo sa inyong pagtaguyod, pakikiisa at pagpapalakas

ng aming loob.

Mga minamahal kong kababayan, sa aking pagharap sa isang mapanganib na katunggali,

ang aking tanging sandigan ay ang inyong pakiki-akibat, at ang paninindigan para sa

Lumikha at sa ating bayan. Buong pagkukumbaba kong hinihiling ang inyong

pang-unawa, subalit higit sa lahat, hinihiling kong samahan ninyo ako sa aking laban at

mission. Muli, isang maganda at maalab na hapon po

sa inyong lahat. Sana’y pagpalain po tayong

lahat ng Maykapal.

Do not be mislead.

If i were to read blogs and opinions, i would definitely read Father Bernas’ blog and not those written by authors trying to make things believeable but in fact false. I am not attacking blogs like raisa robles’ blog or randy davids articles, however, i have the following points why it is better to read Father Bernas blog.

1. when it comes to constitutional issues, no doubt that the authority is father bernas. kahit paikut ikutin mo, tama talaga e. and it is written in a way a layman will be able to decipher and very neutral. No tsismis purely facts and correct application and understanding of the law.

2. reading other blogs written by ordinary authors tend to interpret the law word by word without understanding the reason behind its enactment. In statutory construction, law must be construed by considering the following basic principles:

• legislative intent
• verba legis
• statute as a whole
• spirit and purpose of the law
• stare decisis

In addition, every law students know that aside from the above mentioned principles, there are also other principles in CONSTRUCTING AND INTERPRETING WORDS AND PHRASES:

• Ubi lex non distinguit, nec nos dissinguere debemus. Meaning, Where the law does not distinguish, we ought not to distinguish.
• ejusdem generis

further, even the use of words MAY, SHALL, MUST, AND, OR have different interprations. example:

“And” means conjunction connecting words or phrases expressing theidea that the latter is to be added or taken along with the first.“Or” is a disjunctive particle used to express as alternative or to give achoice of one among two or more things. It is also used to clarify whathas already been said, and in such cases, means “in other words,” “to wit,” or “that is to say.”

(source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/18178617/Statutory-Construction-Notes)

For detailed explanation click the link.

3. reading blogs written by those authors without law/legal background tend to use their emotion and according to what they hear. HEARSAY facts  + apply the law according to their understanding = ?

Is it the correct application of the law?  readers will read it and they believe it. DANGEROUS.

BOTTOMLINE: upon reading blogs regarding the impeachment of corona, electoral sabotage case against GMA and other legal issues, bloggers publish their views and trying to interpret and apply law according to their understanding…i hope they know the danger of misapplying the laws.

*************************

please read http://fatherbernasblogs.blogspot.com/

for news, read raissa’s

for showbiz, google boy abunda

for other news, go to yahoo

ABUSING IMPEACHMENT

AND NOW, CORONA WILL FACE IMPEACHMENT.

is this the tuwid na landas Mr. President refering to during his inaugural speech? Being an ordinary citizen, i am quite disappointed to the congress, lawyers, and media. Why? first, congress  being the legislative branch of the governement should obey the laws and not to abuse it nor act because of an influence coming from the President (they DENIED it).  Actaully it seems they are the ones abusing and disobeying the laws.  To the lawyers a.k.a officers of the court and known to have the highest integrity, please be guided by the lawyer’s oath.

 

Lawyer’s Oath

I, do solemnly swear that I will maintain allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines, I will support the Constitution and obey the laws as well as the legal orders of the duly constituted authorities therein; I will do no falsehood, nor consent to the doing of any in court; I will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any groundless, false or unlawful suit, or give aid nor consent to the same; I will delay no man for money or malice, and will conduct myself as a lawyer according to the best of my knowledge and discretion, with all good fidelity as well to the courts as to my clients; and I impose upon myself these voluntary obligations without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. So help me God.

IBP, please act according to the law.  Do your responsibilities. Why not file a petition to the court?

To the media, i dont know if you are aware with your ethical standards. BIAS! Anyway, i am not against PNOY nor PRO GMA buti I believe in the rule of law.

****

Impeachment in the Philippines is an expressed power of the Congress of the Philippines to formally charge a serving government official with an impeachable offense. After being impeached by the House of Representatives, the official is then tried in the Senate. If convicted, the official is either removed from office or censured.

Impeachment followed by conviction is often the only way to forcibly remove a sitting official. While “impeachment” is often used to refer to the entire process of removing an official from office, it only formally refers to the indictment stage in the House of Representatives, not the trial stage in the Senate. Under the current Constitution, an official can be impeached if one third of the House of Representatives votes in favor. Since it takes only a simple majority to set the agenda or to adjourn the House, it can be difficult for a minority of one third to bring a vote and impeach an official. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_in_the_Phillippines)

IMPEACHABLE OFFICERS:

Philippine Constitution ARTICLE XI Section 2.

1. The President,

2. the Vice-President,

3. the Members of the Supreme Court,

4. the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and

5. the Ombudsman

may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of

1. culpable violation of the Constitution,

2. treason,

3. bribery,

4. graft and corruption,

5. other high crimes, or

6. betrayal of public trust.

All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment

THE GROUNDS ARE EXLUSIVE.

 

For the rules of procedure on Impeachment trial  in the SENATE : http://www.chanrobles.com/legal11impeachmentrules.htm

Resolution no. 39: http://www.lawphil.net/congress/senate/r_39_2011.html

  *****

 anyway, since the impeachement case against CJ Corono got enough numbers, my questions are:

1. for what ground?

      Hontiveros said the impeachment complaint also discussed Corona’s voting pattern on cases involving Arroyo. “Not only has he exhibited this voting pattern, but he alone among the justices has a close association with Arroyo.  (abs-cbn website)

      Ms. Hontiveros, i dont need to explain this word: INDEPENDENCE.

       Why not impeach ALL JUSTICES who voted according to their own judgment?

2. why (only) CORONA? how about the other justices?

****

PHILIPPINE DEMOCRACYDEMOCRACY…. DAMAGED

BLAMING GAME

 

1. Where art thou Migs Zubiri?

Very interesting that the one who benefitted in the electoral sabotage allegation against GMA was not impleaded. As to the media, they never interviewed him  nor used their “investigatory” abilities to determine migs possible involvement.

MIGS resigned and called the Former President to speak  out or explain…  why do Filipinos swallowed such alibi? He just rode the band wagon…  like Many Pacquiao,  fight Manny, you will earn money.  For CGMA, fight CGMA, win the elections. That’s GLORIA MAGIC. Thanks to our bias media.

2. Maguindanao Massacre

CREEPY. Even Maguindanao massacre was blamed to CGMA.  According  to sources such as record from Malacanang,  Ampatuan and Mangudadatu were called by CGMA to resolve the conflict. CGMA offered a position to Mangudadatu, but the offer for cabinet position was denied by the latter. Despite several attempts to resolve it, no one gave way.  Ampatuan went to Malacanang for another meeting (several meetings) , however ,massacre happened. NOW they blamed.

3. PNOY vs Corona et.al.

CGMA appointed Corona as the SC Chief Justice.

For 10 years in power, naturally ,justices appointed by the past presidents will resign or retire or die.  Upon a vacancy in the Court, the president fills the vacancy by appointing a person from a list of at least 3 nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council. (take note: by JBC not by the President)

then the conflict…

Supreme Court  declared the Truth Commission as unconstitutional.

PNOY blamed Corona.

PNOY blamed SC.

PNOY blamed CGMA.

(Calls for Corona to inhibit or resign ensued. I guess if Corona decides to inhibit, ALL justices must inhibit. For Comelec, Brillantes should have inhibited himself, Ombudman-Morales must inhibit, Leila must inhibit,  ALL MUST INHIBIT. Common sense, Corona was appointed by GMA, PNOY appointed other officials, then all appointees by GMA and PNOY must inhibit).

4. Economy

PNOY said we have no budget. CGMA  too extravagant and used the same for her personal gain.

His Remedy: do not spend the money, cancel infra projects.

Senators said: PNOY maybe held liable for IMPOUNDMENT

(IMPOUNDMENT refers to the refusal of the President, for whatever reason, to release

funds appropriated by Congress. It is the failure to spend or obligate budget authority of any type.)

As result of under spending, the Philippine economic activities were affected.

Who to blame?

PNOY vetoed several provisions/items thus freeing himself in case of under spending the budget  BUT the congress ignored the vetoed items.

The Congress could have override the vetoed items.

Congress fault .

5. Time – tested CGMA

It’s a fact that GMA were able to run the government for 10 years.

Stable economy .  Despite rebellion, coupt attempts, corrupt allegations etc….

if PNOY failed to maintain the economy left by CGMA,   will PNOY and the MEDIA blame CGMA? What if he succeeded? Thanks to AQUINO???

6. WHEREFORE premises considered finding CGMA acquitted. Case Dismissed.

Corona called a special en banc session to resolve  GMA’s petition for  TRO and to resolve the constitutional violations of the DOJ.

COMELEC, on the same day called a special session  re arroyo electoral sabotage case.

Comelec went to RTC PASAY.

JUDGE MUPAS, after  four hours of reading the voluminous  pleadings and documents issued  a warrant.

GMA now an accused.

WHY RTC PASAY?

According to Atty. Art de Castro, it should have been in Lanao or place in Mindanao were the crime was committed. I agree.

Therefore, case should be dismissed against CGMA.

Now, if the case will be dismissed, will PNOY blame Mupas?

If the case reached the SC, and declared CGMA innocent for the crime committed in PASAY (since it was filed in Pasay) or the SC in favor of CGMA, will PNOY blame Corona or SC?

anyway, i hope President Aquino will not blame CGMA for the death of Cory and Ninoy (and Kris’ Lovelife).

****

from http://louiesensei.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/pnoy-ethics-leadership-trait-from-2011-sona/

The prescription for PNOY is he should learn from the rule of St. Benedict of Nursia, who lived in the 5^th and 6^th century, the founder of Christian monasticism, and was held as the principal patron of Europe. His rule is still very relevant until this modern age. The issue raised by this essay on PNOY’s behavior relates to the following points of the rule of St. Benedict: Keep constant guard over the actions of your life. Do not follow the prompting of anger. Do not be a detractor.  Do not bear hatred against anybody. Do not foster deceit in your heart. Love your enemies. Make peace with your adversary before the setting of the sun.

Only with a kind heart can one lead correctly.

Mo Twister and Rhian Ramos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YvYWPYzE4M

note: just follow the link. sorry for the inconvenience.

Abortion?

ABORTION is illegal in the Philippines. Here are the ways abortion is committted.

Art. 256. Intentional abortion. — Any person who shall intentionally cause an abortion shall suffer:

1. xxx, if he shall use any violence upon the person of the pregnant woman.

2. xxx, without using violence, he shall act without the consent of the woman.

3. xxx if the woman shall have consented.

Art. 257. Unintentional abortion. — xxx any person who shall cause an abortion by violence, but unintentionally.

Art. 258. Abortion practiced by the woman herself of by her parents.xxx.

Art. 259. Abortion practiced by a physician or midwife and dispensing of abortives.xxx.

question:

can rhian be made liable for abortion?

No,  the Philippine penal laws have force and effect only within its territory. That is the Philippines. It cannot penalize crimes committed outside the country.

I beg to differ

I’d like to share an article about CGMA, Pinoys, and Jim Paredes… a typical example of an uninformed Filipino who still in search of himself to fit in the present society. I agree with  Idas article about our present political situation and how she describe the Filipinos nowadays for having a squatter mentality. I am not saying that Filipinos who are anti GMA or Pro PNOY  have that kind of mentality, but it shows how Filipinos react to some issues without considering the law and their obligation to the country. Having said that, issue on “obligation” will arise. I am refering to ones obligation to himself, to the community and his family.

Examples:

1. a doctor may say harsh words against CGMA like “magnanakaw, korap”, but for all we know, that doctor never issued receipt. Failure to issue receipt is a form of “pagnanakaw” by depriving the government of the taxes. It is like a domino effect, DONT ISSUE RECEIPT-INCOME FOR YOU- NO TAX. do you consider the said doctor a magnanakaw and korap?

2. a lawyer can  agree to Sec. De Lima’s action BUT did you consider the law? remember, ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith and after passing the bar exam, a lawyer took an oath to uphold the constitution and obey the laws of the land.

3. an ordinary person can share his opinion and express his thoughts and even blame the governement for some reasons but my question for you, do you obey the laws such as simple ordinances like no smoking in public places, no littering, no spitting inside the train stations, or have you ever violated traffic laws and ordinances?

4. a journalist or mediaman sharing his opinion in a radio station or tv station tagging CGMA as corrupt person , murderer etc. But are you allowed to that? did you act according to your ethical standards and social responsibility? a very good example is Ted Failon.

Anyway here is the article from http://getrealphilippines.com/blog/2011/12/ten-reasons-why-filipinos-blame-gloria-arroyo-for-everything/:

Ten reasons why Filipinos blame Gloria Arroyo for everything

December 1, 2011

By Ilda

I can’t help but think that Filipinos who blame former Philippine President and Congresswoman, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) for everything bad that has happened in the country have a squatter mentality. By my own definition, people who have a squatter mentality have this strong sense of entitlement. They believe that the government owes them benefits or privileges. This is why you will often hear people say, “It is GMA’s fault why there are more poor people in the Philippines”.  Never mind that GMA had no control over people’s decision to have more babies they can’t afford to feed.  Of course, GMA wasn’t perfect. But like I said in my previous article, the fact that the Aquino government can’t even charge her for her “crimes” using a case that could stick means that they’ve got nothing much on her.

People with squatter mentalities do not believe in hard work or in contributing to the betterment of society.  They think that they can rely on the government to be responsible for their own happiness.  It is quite a fitting description considering squatters by their very nature have no concern or respect for the rights or property of others. They also think that the laws do not apply to them and that they are entitled to disregard them. Some squatters can be arrogant, defiant and selfish.  For some reason, the incumbent President, Noynoy Aquino (PNoy) and his minions come to mind when I think about people with squatter mentality.  After all, PNoy and his mouthpieces keep blaming GMA for everything, including their own shortfalls and especially when they commit gaffes.

Take the case of singer and songwriter, Jim Paredes.  He has been very active on his twitter account lately trying to vilify GMA every chance he gets. This is what he tweeted earlier: “Atty Topacio MD, better check her height. I think she may have stopped growing, too. She may need therapy abroad.” Judging by the number of crass tweets Jim has been sending in reference to GMA, I think it is safe to say that Jim may have lost the plot.  Jim appears to be struggling to find his relevance in Philippine society nowadays. His jokes are so half-a-century ago – back when political correctness was non-existent and Tito Vic and Joey ruled the comedy scene. To be precise, his jokes do not belong in this day and age when making fun of people’s appearance or illness is a no-no and a sign of ill breeding.

As a self-proclaimed key player in the very first (and certainly not the last) people power, Edsa revolution, Jim seems to think that he still has credibility after lending his talent to the campaign for PNoy during the 2010 presidential election — PNoy, who most rational people know, was the least qualified of all the presidential candidates. Sadly, Jim used his popularity to help PNoy win the election. Jim’s action is something that I would consider “misguided” and his lack of remorse in supporting PNoy even after PNoy’s mediocre performance after almost two years in office is pathetic to say the least. Worst of all, Jim’s blind support for PNoy’s defiance of the Supreme Court says a lot about his character: arrogant, shows no respect for the law, and no concern for the rights of others. In short, he seems to have a squatter mentality.

There are many more high-profile personalities like Jim Paredes who still refuse to see the big picture. They fail to see that their continued ranting against GMA and some of the members of the Supreme Court continues to divide the nation between those who are being irrational and those who can think objectively, which in turn results in disunity and instability.

Ask the average Filipino why he hates GMA and you won’t get a straight answer. He’ll just spew the usual “she cheated during the 2004 election” or “she stole taxpayer’s money” drivel.  It gets really boring to hear the same thing over and over without getting any of the specifics or details of their allegations against GMA.

Since some people have a hard time figuring out why they hate GMA, I have come up with a list of the most probable reasons why they do:

1. Most Filipinos think that blaming the late former President, Ferdinand Marcos is so passé so they have moved on to GMA. A quarter of a century after Edsa, the Aquinos and their supporters cannot keep blaming the original “bad guy” because blaming Marcos after all these years will highlight the fact that there was nothing significant about the so-called “people power” revolution that happened in 1986 to begin with. It becomes funnier when you hear them say, “GMA is worse than Marcos” because they don’t realise that this is the same as saying, “We were better off during the Marcos years”.

2. Most Filipinos need to blame someone for the lack of progress in their own personal lives. They might still be stuck doing the same dead-end job or in the case of some, still stuck waiting for government handouts.

3. Most Filipinos are actually angry with themselves, not with GMA. Underneath that arrogance is a people who are clueless as to why the country continues to be plagued by corruption and lack of progress. They don’t realize that it is the people’s lack of attention to how public servants do their jobs that is the reason  why public funds gets mismanaged. In other words, people’s apathy and indifference to how the country is being run is the real cause of corruption and not GMA.

4. Most Filipinos need a diversion. They’ve got nothing going for them. In the case of PNoy for example, he needs to divert people’s attention away from his lack of leadership skills and lack of vision for the country’s future. It is beginning to be quite obvious to a lot of Filipinos that his only agenda for the entire duration of his term is to prosecute GMA. PNoy seems to think that he can simply continue to ride upon GMA’s economic gains while blaming her during his term.

5. Most Filipinos are suckers for drama. This is why they would rather believe hearsays or “tsismis” than facts. It doesn’t help that GMA was said to be not in good terms with some stakeholders of mainstream media. Allegations of GMA’s criminal activities probably gave them huge profits every time they printed stories of her “crimes”.

6. Most Filipinos are addicted to instant gratification. Instant gratification describes the short-term satisfaction gained from impulsive behaviour. And some of the things that can give Filipinos instant gratification are initiatives like “people power” revolutions and habits like defying the rule of law.  It is much easier and quicker to get instant results when you throw the rulebook out of the window. But there are grave consequences when using shortcuts like defying the law as an option at getting something done. Most people have not realized it yet but removing an elected leader unconstitutionally the first time already set a dangerous precedent. It gave people excuse or reason to justify doing it again and again. Marcos, Erap and now the Supreme Court.

7. Most Filipinos are ignorant of their rights. 25 years after Edsa, Filipinos still struggle with their knowledge of what freedom is about. They don’t seem to know how to use their so-called freedom responsibly. This is evident in how some Filipinos keep throwing false accusations against their opponents left and right without thinking of the consequences. This is evident in how PNoy keep saying that some members of the Supreme Court cannot be trusted to do the right thing.

Some Filipinos are even ignorant of the law and individual rights, which is precisely the reason why they are gullible enough to believe people who claim to be doing the “righteous” thing like when DOJ secretary Leila de Lima claimed she was looking after the “national interest” in defying the temporary restraining order of the Supreme Court.

8. Most Filipinos are beholden to celebrities and sons and daughters of so-called “heroes”.  If you don’t have a celebrity gene, you could end up the bad guy.  But what’s so dysfunctional about most Filipinos’ way of thinking is that they keep voting into office the relatives of the public servants they say are corrupt (the Marcos’s, the Estradas, and the Arroyos among others) and most of their preferred lawmakers are showbiz personalities or are sporting heroes.  Which is why precious time and taxpayer’s money are spent on trivial stuff like the proposal to rename Edsa to Cory Aquino Avenue.

9. Most Filipinos are still looking for a hero. The people who voted for him thought they found a hero in PNoy. But PNoy actually thought he could get some direction on how to run the country from the people. Both are getting lost in the process of looking at each other for clues on how to get to the quickest way to the “tuwid na daan” or straight path.

10. Most Filipinos still believe in “angels” and “demons”. This is unfortunately a legacy of peoples’ belief in superstition. Like those who believe in witchcraft, some will believe “evil” stories involving GMA even if these lack any basis or evidence to back up the claim. Because some things are very difficult to accept like the reality that they are also accountable for their own lives, some Filipinos would look at their problems, shrug these off and say that things happen for a reason because of interventions by “The Adjustment Bureau” or some heavenly being. Never mind that some things like politicians getting away with criminal activities happen because of their own negligence or lack of vigilance.

The most hated woman in the Philippines

So there you have it. It does make sense for most Filipinos to keep blaming GMA. They don’t have to do anything but send out “sick” jokes and feel good about themselves. Unfortunately for them, their lack of foresight can be their undoing. They fail to realize yet again, that even if they successfully prosecute and put GMA in jail, the  way they did with former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada or even when they forced Marcos into exile, they will have no one else to blame but themselves for the lack of progress in the country in the end.

And that is why there are a lot of squatters in the Philippines.

 

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