Nachura sworn in as SC justice; RP achievers honored

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday swore in Solicitor General Antonio Eduardo Nachura, who served as counsel on her controversial proclamations, as the 15th associate justice of Supreme Court. QTV television's Balitanghali reported that the oath-taking was held in Malacañang on the same day that Filipino achievers were recognized for excellence in their respective fields. Given Order of Lakandula honors with the Rank of Champion for Life were Mt. Everest summiteers Heracleo "Leo" Oracion and Erwin "Pastour" Emata. International singing icon Lea Salonga, meanwhile, was awarded Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Commander. The television report said Malacañang has not named Nachura's replacement. However, SC Chief Justice Reynato Puno told reporters during the Vin D' Honneur last January 31 that Agnes Devanadera, chief of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, would replace Nachura. Puno then said that President Arroyo relayed the information to him. For his part, Nachura said President Arroyo told him of his new post on January 31, or on the same day that the Vin D' Honneur was held. Employees of the Court of Appeals staged a protest action earlier when the name of Nachura as the new SC justice floated. The new associate justice, however, declined to comment on various criticisms hurled against him. "Ayaw ko nang mag-comment dun dahil tapos na e saka nakatake-oath na ako. I'm already an insider. (I don't want to comment anymore, I've been sworn in anyway. I'm already an insider)," he said. Meanwhile, an elated Salonga at times carried her baby during the Palace rites, which paid tribute to the singer's contributions in bringing Filipino talent to the international stage. "It's almost like a calling in a way, I guess, that my duty is to my country too. That it's not just about me being a performer to make people happy but it is also to bring pride and, in some way, I guess glory to our people and to show our people in the positive light," Salonga said in an interview. Four strikes Nachura was named solicitor general in March 17, 2006, replacing Alfredo Benipayo who resigned from his post as the government’s chief legal defender. Nachura had became chief presidential legal counsel on February 6 last year, crafted a controversial presidential directives and served as Malacanang defender in various cases. As chief presidential legal counsel, he authored the controversial Presidential Proclamation 1017, which placed the country under a state of national emergency on February 24 following an alleged coup attempt by combined forces of left-leaning groups, the political opposition and disgruntled military members. During his term, he defended government on the issuance of Executive Order 464, which banned senior executive officials from attending congressional hearings without the permission of President Arroyo. He also argued in favor of the calibrated preemptive response (CPR) policy which was also questioned before the Supreme Court during the tenure of former SC Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban. Nachura, who taught constitutional law, likewise lawyered for the Sigaw ng Bayan and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) when they elevated to the high court the controversial people’s initiative as a mode to introduce amendments to the 1987 Constitution. The Supreme Court, in all four cases, ruled against government. - GMANews.TV