Supreme Court only upholds co-equality of 3 branches of gov't —solon

The Supreme Court was only respecting the equality of the three branches of the government when it dismissed petitions concerning internal matters of House of Representatives, a party-list lawmaker said on Thursday.

"Tama lang naman na na-dismiss ito ng Korte Suprema dahil 'yung mga bagay na hinihingi ng petitioners... lahat ng ito ay nakasaad sa Internal Rules mismo ng Kongreso," Deputy Minority Leader Representative Harry Roque told reporters in a press conference.

The Kabayan party-list representative was referring to the high tribunal's dismissal of the petition questioning the minority leadership of Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez in the House of Representatives and asking that "Magnificent 7" congressman Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. be recognized as the the true minority leader.

The other was the dismissal of the consolidated petitions urging for a joint session of Congress to tackle the May 23 declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

Roque explained that the three branches of the government—executive, legislative, and judiciary—are co-equal in nature.

"Natural na hindi dapat paghimasukan ng hukuman 'yung construction and application ng internal rules ng Kamara de Representante," he said.

"Sa akin, sa mga dismissal na ito, tinaguyod ng Korte Supreme 'yung equality between the judiciary and the Congress. At nagagalak naman ako na sa kanyang pagkilala na co-equal branch ang Kongreso at hindi siya nanghimasok sa interpretasyon ng internal rules ng Kongreso, ay naibsan 'yung kamuntik nang komprontasyon sa panig ng hukuman at Kongreso pagdating sa issue ng interpretasyon ng internal issues ng House," he added.

At least now, Roque said Suarez was finally recognized as the true minority leader, and them, being the true minority.

"Ang pakiusap ko lang po ay huwag na silang tawagin na minority. Tawagin na po natin silang independent. Dahil totoo naman po, na ang hindi miyembro ng majority at hindi miyembro ng minority ay independiyente," he said.

Baguilat has earlier said he would respect the decision of the Supreme Court.

"We may not hold the position but we are performing the mandate as the real minority. Because dissent and discourse are essential in a democracy," he added. —KG, GMA News