Judiciary Crisis in the Philippines?
President Benigno Aquino III expressed concern over judicial uncertainty in the country noting the highest court is apparently not working in harmony with other branches of the government.
“My task as Chief Executive is clearly spelled out to uphold and defend the constitution; implement its laws; do justice to every man; and consecrate myself to the service of the people. You know that even before I was president, I was puzzled, even alarmed, by the behavior of the Supreme Court,” the President said in his speech at the 30th anniversary of the Makati Business Club (MBC) in Makati City Thursday evening.
The government is established to uphold public good and the President said that as the chief executive he needs clarity of rules and consistency in interpretations to effectively implement his plans.
But the President said he wonders how he can fulfill his mandate as chief executive given the current behavior of the Supreme Court, contradicting itself and issuing decisions not serving the interest of the public.
The high court’s reversal of its decisions in the past has cast a cloud of uncertainty in the Philippine judicial system, he said. The President cited SC’s decisions on the status of Dinagat Island as a province, confusing its constituents after the high court reversed itself several times.
Because of the system of checks and balances in the government there should be interplay between the branches of government, he said.
The SC is supposed to be the designated arbiter when disagreements arise but the President doubted the objectivity and nonpartisanship of the high court.
The President particularly mentioned the issue on the temporary restraining order (TRO) for Mrs. Arroyo, saying he’s confused why the SC just relied on arguments of the former president’s lawyers despite the inconsistencies of her travel plans.
Justice is the bedrock of progress, the president said adding every Filipino must be treated equally under the law. Also he underscored the importance of interplay of all sectors and institutions of society in realizing national progress.
“A weak and corrupt government affects the state of the economy. We have seen so often in different countries all over the world how political instability has done nothing but harm business operations, and ultimately, economic stability,” he said.
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