Danger?

I see with great concern the latest direct tirades of PNoy against the Supreme Court of the Philippines.  I may agree with some of PNoy’s criticism of the Supreme Court, but I believe that there is a proper time and a proper forum for what looks and sounds like sour graping.  Definitely, the 1st National Summit on Criminal Justice jointly sponsored by the Supreme Court and the Department of Justice with both Houses of Congress and almost the entire Judiciary present with foreign diplomats in attendance is NOT the occasion for a personal assault on the Supreme Court and the person of the Chief Justice. The President looks and sounds like a fixated man citing cases of SC decisions that he believes to be ‘unconstitutional’ beginning with the first reversal in the Supreme Court about his aborted desired Truth Commission.  Then this was followed by what he said hasty issuance of TRO by the Supreme Court yet touching on his other fixation, former PGMA.  To add insult to injury, he again whined on the so called ‘midnight appointment’ of CJ Corona that was the subject of controversy but already SETTLED before PNoy even assumed the mantle of Presidency. And to cup it all, he assaulted the Congressional Act creating a congressional district in Bicol that he opposed when he was a still a senator but lost to the majority of his colleagues in both Houses of Congress. What I view with great concern is his FIRM BELIEF that he reads the Constitution correctly and that the majority of Justices in the Supreme Court are in great error! But the real danger is when PNoy cites Article 2, section 1 of the Constitution and claims the sovereignty that resides in the people. No doubt, one text survey by media shows that the ‘people’ not only approve of PNoy’s action and tirades but also enjoy them as well. What I dread is the growing acceptance that the ‘people’ referred to in the Constitution are now reduced to SMS or text surveys.  I believe the media is partly responsible or ‘irresponsible’ for this growing cry for mob justice and mob rule!   There are issues that are NOT subject to this kind of SMS or text surveys. The matter of law is for our Courts to settle and we must accept, like it or not, that the ultimate arbiter for what is legal or illegal, constitutional or unconstitutional is the Supreme Court.  No individual, including PNoy albeit his popularity should set himself above the law and the Constitution.   In fact, his popularity adds an extra responsibility to defend and respect the law and the Constitution, including the two other co-equal branches of government – Congress and the Supreme Court of the Philippines. With PNoy’s wide public acceptance goes also the responsibility to go above and beyond his personal likes and dislikes, including his seeming fixation, and confront the true affairs of the state that above all is the ECONOMY – kabuhayan and pangkabuhayan and PEACE – kapayapaan ng bawa’t isa at ng bayan! I personally laud his singular intent to clean the government. PNoy wants to leave a decent government or good public service as his legacy. This is good and refreshing!  But I believe that PNoy’s personally appointed Ombudsman in the person of Justice Morales-Carpio is the right person to do it with the support of all government and non-government agencies.  PNoy can spend his time in the true affairs of the state and not in picking quarrels with the two co-equal branches of government. The latest assault against the Judicary with the Cassandra Express-like speed is the impeachment so-called ‘proceeding’ of Chief Justice Renato Corona that mustered 188 signatures in the House done in few hours – a like of which is never seen in any meaningful legislation in history!  The House, once again, has shown its true color, that is, the color of the occupying power in Malacanang – red (Marcos), yellow (Cory), Orange/Red (Erap) white (PGMA), and yellow for the 2nd time (Noynoy).  The House would wave any flag that is presently hoisted in Malacanang. It is good to remember that almost the same House with few exceptions was ‘loyal’ and devoted liege of Malacanang during the long nine years of PGMA rule.   But I believe that it is high time that we move forward! Our constant whining and backward looking simply shows that the former PGMA continues to dictate on the agenda of this present government.  This is past and done away with. Let the proper organs of government go after PGMA.  The Presidency has more important things and matters to attend to other than PGMA! If the ‘matuwid na daan’ is nothing but ‘run’ after PGMA and people who side with her… then we are in a clear and present DANGER! CUIDATE!