Click to this link for the decision: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/march2010/191002.htm
With breaking News from ABS-CBN online:
The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a go signal to appoint the replacement of retiring Chief Justice Reynato Puno.
A radio dzMM report said that SC magistrates ruled that President Arroyo can appoint any vacant positions in the judiciary until her term ends in June 30. The decision came after an hour of closed door deliberations by the Court en banc.
The voting:
Nine justices said ‘yes” (Roberto Abad, Lucas Bersamin,Arturo Brion, Teresita De Castro,Mariano Del Castillo, Jose Mendoza, ,Diosdado Peralta, Jose Perez,and Martin Villarama Jr,)
One dissented (Conchita J Carpio-Morales);
Three inhibited (Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Antonio Carpio, Renato Corona);
Two said case is premature as there is no justiciable controversy (Presbitero Velasco and Antonio Eduardo Nachura).
The justices also ordered the Judicial Bar and Council to submit to President Arroyo its shortlist of possible nominees for Chief Justice. Puno, the incumbent Chief Justice, is retiring on May 17.
The high court earlier asked the JBC to comment on several petitions questioning the President’s plan to appoint the next chief justice, but the JBC deferred the matter to the SC.
Arroyo’s critics insist she cannot name Puno’s replacement because of the constitutional ban on presidential appointments 2 months before the elections and until the end of the president’s term.
Except for Puno, all SC justices are Arroyo appointees. –– Report from Nelson Lubao, radio dzMM
***
The Constitution provides that: “Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.”
“Two months immediately before the next presidential election” started March 11,2010.
Statement of Alex Lacson, senatorial candidate under the Liberal Party ticket:
This is a sad day for Philippine democracy.
As a member of the Philippine Bar, I respect the decision of the Supreme Court. However, as a citizen of this country, I cannot help but express my concern over the decision of the Highest Tribunal to recognize Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appointive power over the next Chief Justice despite the ban on appointments enshrined in our Constitution.
Section 15, Article VII of the Constitution clearly provides that 2 months immediately before a presidential election and up to the end of her term, a President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions in the interest of public service or public safety. The Supreme Court has already frowned on midnight appointments in previous cases. That the Supreme Court is making an exception in this significant case, involving one of its own, will only raise concerns among our people about the independence of our institutions.
This is a very significant time in our nation’s history, and it is important for a body such as the Supreme Court to feel the people’s sentiments, particularly when there are valid legal arguments to support them. I call on my fellow members of the bar to make their voices heard so that the Supreme Court can reconsider the issue.
Most of these “justices” need to really learn the truest meaning of JUST. Maybe they should be called “Injustices of the Supreme Court” is apt. Ay yay yay, what a country…
Ellen,
Do you have a copy of the decision? I’m interested in how the Justice Morales explained her dissenting opinion. Thanks.
Question: Who’s afraid of a (supposed)lame duck president?
Answer: All the justices infavor to give her the power to appoint a new CJ despite a constitutional ban.
Ala’y gaano baga karami ang ini-aapoint na galamay ni Da Goyang sa Korte Sobrena?
Siyempre, isip nila sa kanila mamimili ang kanilang matrona, ey.
Sino baga ang nagbigay ng go signal na puwiding mag-appwent ng bagong Thief Justice? Di ga’t ‘yun ding kanyang ini-appoint na bagong sickretari of Justiis?
Ala, mga kabayan, ay taka pa kayo, ey.
Testing muna. Nawala yung earlier post ko. Awaiting moderation daw.
Strange SnV. There’s nothing for moderation.
But thanks for telling me because I’m transferring server and I’m observing if there are some who are still being directed to the old server. Apparently you were.
Please post your comments again. Let’s see.
Sige kung yan ang gusto ng mga Justices ni Arroyo. Kung ano na rin kaya ….. payagan na rin nilang siya na ang magdedesisyon kung sinong papalit sa kanya para wala na yong dayaan pa. Ang nangyayari na ngayon sa atin ay kung ano ang gusto ni Glorya … makukuha niya.
Ano kaya ang masasabi ni Noynoy ngayon dito sa isyung ito?
Sa susunod naman ay hihingi din si Glorya kay Bangit ng tulong para siya ay mananatili sa pekeng posisyon niya …. siyempre makukuha niya. Kaya ingat na lang kayo diyan sa atin mga repapapips at mga kumarererips … maghanda-handa na lang kayo sa susunod na hakbang na gagawin ni Glorya.
this decision was expected…all of them were appointees of gloria macapal gal arroyo…utang na loob is the name of the game..with these justices we have to just tiis..wala silang paki sa mamamayan..para sa kanila whatever gloria wants gloria gets…but there will be true justice for them when they die…kailan pa kaya? just tiis lang muna tayo..mamatay din ang mga hinayupak na mga iyan at kasama sila ng kanilang leader na si gloria at she will lead them to taning pagibig niya..kailan ba lalabas yong libro ni Vitug? can’t wait to read how these justices make their decisions…can’t wait for SnV’s comments too..
With this development, failed state na nga ang Pinas, in league with Somlaia and Zimbabwe. Puro baboy ang nagpapalakad, kawawa naman ang Pinoy. Gusto ko nang mag-retire diyan, pero wala yatang pag-asa ang bansa. Mantakin mo, Supreme Court Kuno nilamon na ng kababoybaboyan. Good luck na lang Kay Noynoy Aquino at mukhang mas malala pa ito sa Marcos era.
For once tumama yung mga marionettes (Nachura and Velasco); there is no justiciable issue.
“Arroyo can appoint new chief justice”
Arroyo can and will appoint whom she wants to whatever positions. Constitution??? What constitution??? She’s the queen, remember? 🙁
gloria forever…… kawawang pinoy tuloy ang pagdurusa.
Usually the SC will make a decision on the Constitutionality of the Statute, by-laws, or any law that has been brought before it. What is the case here anyways for the decision handed down?
It is the Provision itself, which prohibits the President to appoint 60 days before election except for position in the executive branch in exemplary situation…then why then the Supreme Court Exempts Itself from Such Prohibition? Is it above the Law of the Land? Some questions that beg some answer…
Sinipa si Marcos at binuwag ang Supreme Court ….. sana maulit muli … dito kay Glorya.
Walang mangyayari sa eleksiyon …. dapat unahan na si Glorya bago maghasik ng kalagiman. Sipain sila lahat at walang ititira.
Ngayon ko napagtanto na mas magagaling ang mga Abogado ni Glorya kaysa sa mga taong tumutuligsa sa kanya. Ano ang sinasabi ng mga grupo ng mga Abogago na mali kung si Glorya ang mag-appoint sa susunod na CJ? Wala talaga kayong ibinatbat …. puro dada lang pala. Tignan nga natin kung aalsa ang mga samahan ng mga Abogado kung itutuloy ni Glorya ang pag-appoint? Lalo na, naipuwesto na niya ang bodyguard niyang si Pangit.
Sana Tedanz maintindihan mo din na hindi pwedeng lumantad ang mga abogado at sabay sabay murahin ang mga hinayupak na justices ng Supreme Court. Pabulong lang ang pwedeng gawin, pero pag kaharap na ang judge or justices, Your Honor pa rin ang itatawag. May sinusunod kasi na precept na kahit anong galit sa isang mahistrado, ang sasabihin ay dapat couched in respectful language.
Yung nag dissent na Nachura at Velasco, tama sa papel. Kaya lang kung may ma appoint na si GMA na Chief Justice at justiciable na ang issue, mayron naman kayang justice ang magsasabing, “Mr. Chief Justice, unconstitutional ang pag kaka appoint sa iyo.”
It all boils down to a matter of trust. Wala na kasing tiwala ang karamihan kay GMA kaya maraming tutol na siya ang mag appoint ng bagong Chief Justice.
Hi Lito B re #4, here are the links:
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/march2010/191002.htm
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/march2010/191002_carpio-morales.htm
Bakit nga ba kung ano yung dissenting opinion, iyon ang may sense. Bagama’t mabulaklak pa rin yung dissenting opinion ni Justice Carpio Morales, mas may laman at may sense ito kaysa dun sa sinulat ni Justice Bersamin.
Ayon sa Decision, legal na mag appoint si GMA ng Chief Justice within 90 days from May, 17, 2010. Kung may natitira pang delicadeza ang GMA, by the time na matapos ang term nya sa June 30, 43 days lang yun from May 17, 2010 kaya hayaan na ya ang susunod na President ang mag appoint. Pero suntok sa buwan pa rin at gagawin ni GMA ang lahat na magkakaroon ng Chief Justice Corona.
Bet you this SC decision will be reversed by another SC in another time and another setting. that is arbitrary the SC has become. It now becomes a Patronage retirement for the country so-called Legal luminaries only to lose their Legal sense once having a good chance to get appointed to more plush position after the stint in SC.. One is Davide who now has to quit before getting kicked by whoever the next President who may not be as “corrupt”. I hope Jamby migrate and see how things are done in some honest to goodness places.
Sakit ng ulo aabutin ng next president dito kay gloria…
dudugo ilong ni NoyNoy…
makakalbo kabuhayan ni Villar…
at kukupas ang karisma ni Erap…
Prime Minister Gloria na…
God save the Philippines!
goodbye philippines..!!
ano na ba mga kababayan, palalagpasin pa ba natin itong kawalanghiyaan ni GMA..o dapat gumising na tayo sa pansitan..sana ang i appoint ni GMA ay si atty macalintal o kaya si (si) raul gonzales, tutal walanghiyaan na talaga, inumpisahan kay (pa) bangit e di tuloy tuloy na. tapus failure of election, para tuloy tuloy na..talaga naman po, anung sumpa kaya meron ang bayang pilipinas..?? GOD save the Philippines and the filipino people..!!
Si Merceditas Guttierez daw ang itatalaga ni Glorya …. may angal ba kayo ha? ha? ha?
Lahat na ng sangay ng ating Pamahalaan ay BINABOY na!!!!!!!!!!
kung ung mga nasa mataas na posisyon.. SC, AFP, Tongress, Senatong… isinuko na kaluluwa kay evil gloria eh.. ano pa magagawa nating mga hamak na pilipino? Kailangan na nman siguro natin ng bagong Jose Rizal o Ninoy na magpapabaril sa Luneta o Airport…
Lawyer: Objection Your Horrors!(Honor?)I am sure you are not following our Constitution!
TSupreme Court: Objection Overruled!
Sabi ng iba magagaling daw ang mga abugago ni Gloria. Talagang magagaling dahil nasa kanya ang mga injustice judges sa supreme court eh. Iyun ang mga ABUGAGO niya. sino ang talo di ang taong bayan or ang bansa natin. Tignan na lang ninyo ang mga ginagawa niyang pag nanakaw may nangyari ba. Iyung ex-supreme court head naka upo na sa puwesto at nasa U.S. pa. Si Bangit ay delikado talaga tayo diyan. Ano ang magagawa natin?????????????????
So this will just be a temporary appointment?
I don’t understand why those SC members who voted “Aye!” did it.
What made them do it? Did they really think that an SC without a chief for something like a month and a half would cause havoc in the SC? Or is one of them hoping that Gloria will appoint him/her?
They are turning to be a cruel bunch of shitheads.
And people still trust the Supreme Court to interpret the law judiciously?
Two said case is premature as there is no justiciable controversy (Presbitero Velasco and Antonio Eduardo Nachura).
Those two made the only correct decision in my book: NO JUSTIFIABLE CONTROVERSY.
I wonder why the three inhibited themselves? They should have voted “Nay!”
this is what you get with a supreme court whose members are almost all appointed by arroyo. she has packed the SC with her people and now they make partisan insane rulings.
that’s why the presidency matters. who controls the presidency will be able to shape the supreme court. and boy oh boy did arroyo have plenty of time (9 years) to shape it in her image.