Palace allies slam Noynoy over Chief Justice stance

By GENALYN KABILING and BEN ROSARIO
January 15, 2010, 5:45pm







Original Story: http://mb.com.ph/node/238717/palace-allie


Pro-administration officials denounced Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Senator Benigno “Nonoy” Aquino III on Friday for threatening that he will not recognize a new Supreme Court Chief Justice named by President Arroyo if he is elected president, warning that such move would be in gross violation of the Constitution.

“The PGMA-appointed SC chief is an exercise of the President’s constitutional mandate; to go against the mandate of PGMA is to go against the Constitution,” said Marikina City Rep. Marcelino Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Teodoro described Aquino’s statement as irresponsible as it could cast doubt on the integrity of the next Chief Justice, especially if he is an Arroyo appointee.

“Besides, the appointment has not been executed and to make a preemptive statement would be unfair for the incoming SC chief with respect to his qualifications or judicial experience,” Teodoro pointed out.

“We should look beyond politicking and grandstanding but focus on the smooth transition and efficiency of the Philippine judicial system,” he added.

Aquino should apologize to the Supreme Court for his “irresponsible and dangerous” statement, said Presidential Political Adviser Prospero Pichay Jr.

Pichay, in a news conference in the Palace, said Aquino was “arrogant” to presume he would win the elections this May, adding his threat to the Supreme Court “was the highest form of irresponsibility.”

On the other hand, House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Simeon Datumanong said he respects Aquino’s opinion that the outgoing President is barred from making any appointment during the wee hours of her presidency as it runs against the constitutional ban.

But Datumanong said Aquino must be warned that the next President, whoever he is, is bound to recognize an Arroyo-appointed Chief Justice.

Pichay also assailed Aquino’s ignorance of the Constitution that allowed President Arroyo to appoint a new Chief Justice even in the remainder of her term.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the groups attacking the President’s legality to appoint the new Chief Justice are actually “denigrating” the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court.

Remonde, speaking to reporters in the Palace, said the Supreme Court, although most of magistrates are appointees of President Arroyo, has proven its independence through its past decisions unfavorable to the government.

Meanwhile, Speaker Prospero Nograles warned presidential candidates against rejecting the Chief Justice appointee of President Arroyo, saying that non-recognition of the next Supreme Court head could lead to chaos in the country.

Nograles said Aquino should be reminded that the High Court is a co-equal body of the executive department.


Original Story: http://mb.com.ph/node/238717/palace-allie