Draw whatever conclusion you want, but the dismissal of the forfeiture proceedings against businessman tycoon Lucio Tan by the Sandiganbayan happened on President Benigno Simeon Aquino’s watch, thus damaging his ‘impact’ slogan of “Matuwid Na Daan.” Tan had survived Corazon Aquino’s (1986-1992) efforts to restore what had been stolen from the people by the Marcoses and his cronies where it…
The Corona Dilemma I am writing a book about the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona because this historical political exercise effectively divides the nation between those who believe in the myth that there is nothing wrong with the judiciary and those who believe that there is something wrong with it and CJ Corona represents everything…
Watching Senator Gringo Honasan interpellating Secretary of Justice Lila De Lima during the impeachment trial of CJ Renato Corona yesterday about affording even a lowly citizen his constitutional rights to life, liberty and property as the very basis of the existence of any government gave me goose pimples. Rolando Olalia must be twisting in his grave! God Save The Queen…
Watching some senator-judges participate in the trial of CJ Renato Corona and the media spin after every trial, brings to mind the foreword of one educated Filipino novelist, F. Sionil Jose in his book: “It is so easy to point out who the achievers are, as well as show who clearly how our society hoists the…
Nothing much can be achieved in the impeachment of CJ Corona even if successful in the Senate except to sear in the public memory that a radical change in the leadership of the Supreme Court, touted before as the “untouchable” branch of the government is but a myth. But surely, it will not alter the present dynamics…
Where the Supreme Court exercises its duty under the constitution, it is called “rule of law” but when Congress exercises the same function in accord with the same constitution, it is called “the mother of all blackmails”. It was a politically charge atmosphere in the House yesterday and Congressman Edcel Lagman cannot hide his displeasure over the decision…
During the reign of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010), Senator Ping Lacson was charged with the murder of publicist Bubby Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito. He cried ‘political vendetta.’ He elevated his case to the Court of Appeals up to the Supreme Court and won. He called it the triumph of ‘the rule of law.’ By some stroke…
Today, Friday, an arrest warrant was served on the former President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for electoral fraud, which is a non-bailable offense – while she was confined in a hospital in Taguig. Two policemen were assigned to watch her ward and to monitor her visitors. Photo-op and fingerprinting, the police said, would be made when she is ready. If her…
There is a war going on in Mindanao, but President Simeon Benigno Aquino wants to talk about peace; as if peace is a noun that can be processed by these violent Muslims who styled themselves as members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Adding comic to this scenario was UP Law Dean Marvic Leonen, who likewise believes that…
According to Newsbreak, the Sandiganbayan has withdrawn the arrest issued against Jaime Dichaves, co-defendant of former President Joseph Estrada in the plunder of P4.1 billion in 2002. Dichaves was abroad and probably had left after he was impleaded as co-defendant of the former President. The recall of the warrant was issued “in absentia.” Just like what the Court…
Viewpoint Neutral 