University of the Philippines professor and Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist, Randy David was spot on when he said “In a society like ours, debt of gratitude to the appointing authority cannot be ignored. Often, it outweighs professional considerations. This is even more so when the appointing authority handpicks choices for sensitive positions with an explicit eye for their proven personal loyalty.” David may just as well have been describing the patronage politics of the incumbent Philippine President, Noynoy Aquino (PNoy) when he was writing his column.
Cory led the unconstitutional ousting of former President Joseph Estrada
But perhaps it is easy for Mr David to pretend that patronage politics was only prevalent during former President and Congresswoman, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s (GMA) time in Malacañang because it is no secret that he has a political axe to grind. It was during GMA’s term that David was arrested at a rally at the Edsa
Shrine in Ortigas in 2006 on suspicion of sedition. And perhaps Mr David’s age is betraying him a bit because patronage politics was actually even more blatant during the late former President Cory Aquino’s term. Just to refresh his memory, an article from TIME magazine even documented it:
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[…] But in the tumultuous four years since Aquino became President, charges of incompetence and graft have increasingly tainted her own government. When rebellious soldiers launched the seventh abortive coup against Aquino on Dec. 1, their most pointed complaints focused on the administration’s failure to deliver basic services and on allegations of corruption among the President’s wealthy and influential relatives.
The charges, magnified by the Manila rumor mill, have inflicted serious political damage. While the President herself is considered incorruptible, critics accuse her of turning a blind eye to family and friends who are said to be enriching themselves at the public’s expense.
Turning a blind eye seems to be the order of the day for those siding with GMA’s political opponents. Mr David is conveniently turning a blind eye to PNoy’s penchant for appointing his Kamag-anak, kaibigan at kaklase or KKK to sensitive positions in government with PNoy personally handpicking them for their proven personal loyalty.
In his recent column, Mr David highlighted for the second time, how GMA ascended to power after the ouster of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada and called it “dubious”. Maybe it is the limitation in the number of words set by the Inquirer editor or perhaps it was Mr. David’s own use of literary device but whatever it is, he omitted the fact that it was Cory Aquino, the mother of PNoy, who was one of those who led the second people power revolution dubbed “Edsa II” that unconstitutionally unseated Erap. The late Manila Cardinal Archbishop Jaime Sin, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, former President, Fidel Ramos all called for Erap’s resignation after Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, a longtime friend of President Joseph Estrada, went public with accusations that Estrada, his family and friends received millions of pesos from operations of the illegal numbers game, jueteng.
The Supreme Court Justices at the time were even forced to legitimize GMA’s ascent to power on the basis of this being one endorsed by “the will of the people” — the same “will” the Aquino camp now keep citing as the basis of their self-righteous campaign against the SC. What seemed like a good idea then for all those who led the revolt against Erap is now being hailed as “opportunistic” on the part of GMA from Mr David’s point of view. Old age must be taking its toll on his memory.
Without naming them all and without going to specifics, Mr. David accused GMA of “generously rewarding political lackeys and apologists with cushy positions in government corporations” thereby virtually condemning these people to the hall of shame by their mere association to the former President. It’s as if Mr David himself is not acting as a PNoy’s apologist by writing a very biased article. I guess the professor thinks that it is okay for him to question GMA’s motives because it is in the Filipino people’s nature not to trust or take someone at face value. And the lack of trust can be explained in the old saying, “it takes one to know one.”
Of course Mr. David made special mention of the Ampatuans and how they “complied with her (GMA) every whim by manipulating electoral outcomes”. It’s possibly another memory lapse on his part because the trial for GMA’s alleged “electoral sabotage” case hasn’t even begun yet he already issues his own verdict.
Lastly, Mr David reserved a few paragraphs for Supreme Court and Chief Justice, Renato Corona. He strongly agrees with PNoy that the latter was a midnight appointee by GMA. Never mind that, at that time, it was the Philippines’ Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) that “unanimously” agreed to start nominations prior to the 2010 elections for the replacement of the country’s outgoing Chief Justice Reynato Puno. And they did so citing Section 4(1), Article 8 of the constitution — which mandates that a Supreme Court vacancy should be filled within 90 days once the position remains vacant.
In a news item published in February of 2010, it was shown that even constitutional experts had no problem with GMA appointing the new judge:
A group of constitutionalists has no qualms about President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointing the next chief justice despite a constitutional provision supposedly prohibiting it two months before an election.
Members of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) even want the Supreme Court to compel the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the body that screens nominees to vacant judicial posts, to submit its shortlist to President Arroyo.
In a 20-page petition, Philconsa, through its president Manuel Lazaro, said the election ban in the Constitution covers only appointments in the executive department and not in the judiciary.
The group pointed out that the only restriction cited by the Constitution is that the president must appoint from the list submitted by the JBC.
The bottom line is, the issue about appointing a new SC judge has been resolved in early 2010 even before GMA chose Renato Corona. It turns out that GMA was even compelled to pick a new judge by the JBC out of an urgent need to do so because “historical events dictated the post should be vacant no more than a day”. Here’s what the SC had to say about the controversy at that time:
The SC said there is no provision in the Constitution providing for designation of a temporary chief justice during the vacancy because the post is crucial during election period since the high court acts as the final arbiter under the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).
And…
The SC, however, gave weight to the argument of the Solicitor General stressing the importance of the chief justice post saying historical events dictated the post should be vacant no more than a day.
When Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee retired on April 18, 1988, Associate Justice Pedro Yap was appointed on the same day. When Yap retired on July 1, 1988, then Associate Justice Marcelo Fernan was appointed the same day.
When Fernan effectively resigned on Dec. 7, 1991, Senior Justice Andres Narvasa was appointed the following day. When Narvasa retired on Nov. 29, 1998, Senior Justice Hilario Davide Jr. was sworn into office the following morning.
When Davide retired on Dec. 19, 2005, Senior Justice Artemio Panganiban was appointed to succeed the following day.
Lastly, when Panganiban retired on Dec. 6, 2006, incumbent Chief Justice Reynato Puno took his oath on midnight of Dec. 7, 2006.
Whether one agrees with the Supreme Court’s final decision or not, one thing is for sure, Chief Justice Corona has been taking all these attacks on his personal integrity like a real gentleman. The record shows that during the height of the debate surrounding GMA’s move to appoint a new SC judge in early 2010, Chief Justice Corona who was at that time, still a Associate Justice together with fellow nominee, Antonio Carpio opted not to join the voting on the issue citing that “it will have effects on them”. And prior to the SC’s decision to okay GMA’s picking of the new judge, Corona even reportedly said that “he would accept the nomination for the post but on condition that the next president (PNoy) should make the appointment.” It is too bad that PNoy and his apologists like Randy David ignore Corona’s record of objectivity in the past. It must be in their nature to be too quick to judge a judge appointed by GMA.
In life, things are not always what they seem.
Good research done on your article, Iida. Congratulations!
Thanks, Nieves!
Seems to me that posts in this blog are becoming more fact-based.
Please keep it up.
Thanks, Trosp!
Truly an eye-opener.
I’ve always opined that there’s something amiss with how the Chief Justice was appointed. But now, knowing the history of it, this sheds the light on everything dogging the SC.
More power, Ilda!
@bulutongboy
Yes! I could not believe it myself. PNoy and his minions are really making a big deal out of it when in fact, it has already been resolved earlier of 2010. GMA wasn’t even the one insisting on it. And Corona seemed very objective about it the whole time.
hehheeee…. Corona being objective..
http://jcc34.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/when-the-crooks-invoke-the-rule-of-law/
Great to read that serious commenters are ignoring the likes of jose c. camano who, I think, is just promoting his blog.
lol 🙂
Well, he should really discuss things here rather than ask us to go to his site.
and what was the basis of “serious” commenters ignoring my blog?
if i have ilda’s temperament, i will call them clueless because they happened to disagree with my views…. heheheee..
i would like to believe that trosp has access to my dashboard to compentenly say that my blog is being ignored… hehehe..
maybe by “serious” commenters from GRP who cannot accept that others have different point of view than them?
JCC, with your replies, it just seems that you’re engaging in petty tough talk and, yes, advertising your blog. Why don’t you take up Ilda’s challenge and open a discussion here about your that brilliant idea you have there. I shouldn’t matter where it’s posted, if it’s really good, it will stand scrutiny and Ilda will just have to eat her words. And then you can advertise that more brilliance can be found in your blog.
Hay naku, Peste. Some people are just good at ad hominem. It’s baffling that JCC is against following the rule of law considering he is a LAWYER.
And by the way Ilda, don’t you know that one of the best rulers the world had that brought honors and material bounties to Rome, Julius Caesar, was a homosexual?
“The only specific charge against unnatural practices ever brought against him was that he had been King Nicomedes’ bedfellow – always a dark stain on his reputation and frequently quoted by his enemies. Licinius Calvus published the notorious verses:
“The riches of Birthynia’s King
Who Caesar on his couch abused.â€
Dolabella called him ‘the Queen’s rival and inner partner of the royal bed’, and Curio the Elder†‘Nicomedes’s Bithynian brothel.’
Bibilus, Caesar’s colleague in the consulship, described him in an edict as ‘the Queen of Bithanya.. who once wanted to sleep with a monarch, but now wants to be one.’ And Marcus Brutus recorded that, about the same time, one Octavius, a scatterbrained creature who would say the first thing that came into his head, walked into a packed assembly where he saluted Pompe as ‘King’ and Caesar as Queen.’
Cicero wrote:
“Caesar was led by Nicomedes’ attendants to the royal bedchamber, where he lay on a golden couch, dressed in purple shift.. So this descendant of Venus lost his virginity in Bithynia. (Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, p. 35).
@JCC
I don’t see how knowing Julius Caesar’s sexual orientation can help us solve the current constitutional crisis in the country.
JCC, you’re a lawyer as what’ve read in this post comment board.
Most of the lawyers I’ve known, when they can’t find anything to support a claim shift to demonizing the subject person – Julius Caesar, in your case. You praised him first as one of the greatest rulers in the world so that, the way you’re lecturing us with your intellectual prowess, his culpability as a homosexual will have more impact. As if the commenters here have to be lectured on something that you, personally, have unearthed from forgotten historical documents inre of Ceasar being a gay.
I’m just curious with your history knowledge. Are you aware that during the times you have mentioned, the context of being a homosexual or bisexual is different from what it is at present time?
Take this discussion from http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080610092240AAZn0Zg
A snippet –
“Caesar as far as we know was bi-sexual as most men were back then. They just didn’t have the hang ups about that kind of thing as people do today. Caesar more than likely besides his wife, went to bed with men, boys, and Cleopatra and history does not call him that old pervert. The Spartans had a whole different arrangement. Their society was militaristic. A young boy was taken from his home at puberty and went to live in the barracks with the men all of which were solders. They slept and made love with the men until the age of 25. Only at age was expected to leave the barracks, marry a woman and produce children. He returned to the barracks each night and continue to live with the soldiers until he was older. The Spartans thought that a soldier fighting along side his lover was more courageous in battle.â€
Have you intentionally omit that context?
But then, it is obvious that your comment is agenda based, intellect boy…
Do you really have a serious blog commenters?
jcc, I’m not interested whether you have serious commenters or not. What I want to mean in my previous comment is the serious commenter in THIS post. My bad, I should have written it this way –
“Great to read that serious commenters HERE are ignoring the likes of jose c. camano who, I think, is just promoting his blog.”
Then you summarily characterized commenters here that don’t agree with you as clueless:
“if i have ilda’s temperament, i will call them (which is us) clueless because they happened to disagree with my views…. heheheee..”
Read again your comment in lecturing us, intellect boy, with your history prowess – about Caesar being gay. It’s obvious, that you’re the one who is clueless and the one who can’t even recognize the dot to be connected.
Read again my rejoinder for that issue you’ve raised about Caesar. How I call the attention of your dishonesty in presenting the historical facts to the comment readers here.
And then this one from you:
“thomas jefferson SUSPECTS the members of the judiciary. he said that like the members of the executive and the legislative, they could only be as good or bad. their being lawyers do not make them more moral and upright. they have the same passion for power, party and corps. IN SHORT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN PARTY AFFILIATIONS. ”
So you’re telling us that Jefferson suspected the judiciary (of what) and your convenient analysis is they have their party affiliations.
Jeez, is that your footnote to a history intellect boy?
jcc,
You must ask a complete refund of your matriculation where you have taken your education.
They did not teach you the correct reading comprehension.
Read my comments here again. And read it slowly intellect boy.
You, as my researcher? A guy with faulty comprehension as my researcher?
ROFL…
if only these serious people get out from their tunnel they will realize that there are more light than they have actually seen.
thomas jefferson suspects the members of the judiciary. he said that like the members of the executive and the legislative, they could only be as good or bad. their being lawyers do not make them more moral and upright. they have the same passion for power, party and corps. in short they have their own party affiliations.
that Corona is impartial is the biggest hype of all times. Every jurist does not operate in a vaccum. Sereno for that matter is loyal to PNOY the same way that Corona is loyal to GMA.
if you can accuse PNOY of motive, you can also accuse these jurists of motives. All of them have their agenda of placating the public with their pro-justice and rule of law rhetorics.
and whil i agree with GRP that PNOY is abnormal,but that is not his handicap but his strength. his grandfather, Benigno Aquino Sr., married for the second time Aurora Aquino, his cousin. this marriage brought forth Ninoy, a spectacular gene from a doomed stock. the degenerative genes manifested in P-Noy and his nephew, the son of actor-playboy Phillip Salvador with Kris Aquino.
Because PNOY does not have the higher reasoning power, he could not be mendacious and machiavellian, his mind is his heart and he is very transparent. he shows his anger when he should be angry and call a spade a spade unlike the so-called statesmen who will put a dagger on you once you turn your backside. atleast PNOY will stab you while you were face to face with him… hehehehehe…
so, i am pro PNOY, so what?
@JCC
When did we say that PNoy is abnormal? Saying that PNoy is abnormal is your statement not ours.
Idolising an unstable man says a lot about you too.
yes ilda, abnormal who can do abnormal things in your dysfuncttional society whose normal business is to protect scoundrels, coddle the brigands, pillage the treasury.
as regards HL, i believe PNOY can still live and govern without it. 🙂
did you get already my message on Julius Caesar being homosexual?
@JCC
In the Philippines, PNoy is not abnormal. His behavior is very normal. So far, the only thing PNoy has demonstrated is his ability to defy the law. That is not unique because most Filipinos cannot and refuse to follow the law even during ordinary times. He also seems to be behaving like a dictator, which is something that he copied from other famous dead leaders.
Re: Julius Caesar – I don’t bother trying to answer riddles. I don’t beat around the bush so I consider vague analogies from others a waste of time. Just go straight to the point and I might consider your comment worthy of my time.
why this commenter trosp cannot connect the dots?
and why is he concerned about “serious bloggers? not commenting on my blog? hehehee.
he argues against the philosophy of GRP, that numbers do not equivocate truth…
to spell out it more clearly, there are more “serious” commenters who read playboy magazine than the bible… or that wowwowee and eat bulaga top the rating do not speak that majority of the people are sensible…. ganuong lang talaga ang pinoy mahilig sa “garbage”…. kung hindi man binabasa ng “serious” commenters ang aking blog, does tha make my blog, cheap? hehehee.. 🙂
This really floors me down. One serious commenter here asking me to be his researcher.. hehhee.. 🙂
Trosp, why do you want me to act as your researcher?
“To consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions [is] a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have with others the same passions for party, for power, and the privilege of their corps. Their maxim is boni judicis est ampliare jurisdictionem [good justice is broad jurisdiction], and their power the more dangerous as they are in office for life and not responsible, as the other functionaries are, to the elective control. The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots. It has more wisely made all the departments co-equal and co-sovereign within themselves.”
Phttp://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_did_Thomas_Jefferson_say_about_judicial_review
Please read also Jean Edward Smith, biographer of CJ John Marshall, who said that CJ John Marshall was a member of President Adam’s Federal Party.
He wrote:
X x x a great constitutional question is now agitated in the Supreme Court, involving the right to control the Executive. The Republicans eventually defeated Marbury’s request, again in a 13-15 vote. But the High Federalists succeeded in making the authority of the Supreme Court the central issue in their campaign. Marbury v. Madison, which had begun as a routine exercise in judicial procedure fourteen months earlier, was now center stage. Marshall’s effort to remove the judiciary from partisanship had been thwarted by the irreconciliables in his own party. (p. 315, ibid).
jcc,
You must ask a complete refund of your matriculation where you have taken your education.
They did not teach you the correct reading comprehension. All they thought you is how to copy and paste.
Read my comments here again. And read it slowly intellect boy. There might be a chance that you may comprehend it if you’ll read it slowly.
You, as my researcher? A guy with faulty comprehension as my researcher?
ROFL…
@ilda,
Nakasara ang isang mata ni Randy David at may memory gap na nga sya dahil sa katandaan at hindi lang sya ang may mga sintomas na gaya nyan lalo na sa inq.net at nakababahala na pati mga kabataan ay nahahawa na sa kanila.
Sana marami pang makabasa ng mga nasusulat dito sa GRP para maliwanagan ang mga tao sa mga tunay na nangyari at nangyayari sa ating Mahal na Pilipinas dahil dumarami na ang may ‘utak iskwater’ sa ating lipunan.
Mabuhay ka!
Hinde ko nga maintindihan kung bakit hinde man lamang mag imbestiga ng mahusay ang majority. Hinde naman mahirap gamitin ang Google. Sana naman wag nang masyadong maniwala sa iisang source of information lang. The truth is easy to find if they just make an effort to look for it.
masyadong tamad ang mga karamihan. sumusunod lang sa agos ika nga. maiinit pa at pikon. i had some friends na when they utter words about what’s happening around it seems alam na alam nila…but the fact is, inuulit lang nila ang mga ‘naririnig’ lang nila. when i challenged them and tell them the real story (such as what I read from other sources like this) natatahimik na lang sila—dahil hindi nila alam at hindi na sila nag-eefort to check.
hindi naman bobo ang mga Filipino. i’m sure kung PATAS lang ang mga balita at ipapakita lahat ng FACTS eh makakapagisip ng maayos ang mga kababayan natin…
Thanks for this Ilda!!!! And Very well written too.
You are welcome!
“The President knows what is right and what is
wrong even if he’s not a lawyer,†presidential
spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
Well thats alright then – no need for a supreme court.
Does he also understand downward sloping lines on graphs, even though he is not an economist.
Unfortunately, he thinks he is always right. Totally unbelievable.
Does the President also know the winning numbers to the lotto jackpot even if he’s not a manghuhula?
I wanted to throw my computer out of frustration when I read that statement this morning.
This administration is sooo out of it, it’s not even slightly amusing. It’s the same old rhetoric, day in and day out.
Please 2016, sana dumating ka na.
@delsur
He seems surrounded by people who are totally clueless.
“…surrounded by people who are totally clueless.”
And, Ilda, not to mention ANGRY, even angrier than their boss that they appear almost ‘aburido’ almost every time they’re in front of the camera. Take the case of Lacierda with the perpetual frown and sarcastic statements, and Valte with the perpetual raised eyebrow that makes her look condescending. Bad choice of press secs. And his Agric Sec? Totally clueless. I should know, am UP staff who has access to agric info, coz it’s our line of work. Whenever we hear them say we’re not going to import rice soon coz we’re going to be self sufficient, we all hyperventilate with the lies and their impact.
@mommyjo
PNoy and his minions have succeeded in riling up the mob. Some are clearly not thinking objectively anymore.
One of these days PNoy will eat his words on that statement about the Philippines being self-sufficient on rice production. Or maybe blame someone again for the incorrect reporting.
The very bad examples set by BadNoy is already infecting his improved society. As I said before, it is already “fashionable” to pre-judge(guilty before trial),do hate-think, cruelty, revulsion, ridicule and bash with seditious statements personalities(GMA family, CJ Corona) and an institution(Supreme Court) perceived to be his enemies.
BadNoy does not know right from wrong. His perception is right is wrong and wrong is right. The latest damage to the culture and mindset is a really bad example. The bad influence continues to infect the improved society.
It is now a national pastime. BadNoy engages in interpreting the law as if he were a magistrate of the high court. Hence, every bench lawyer, nutzi, nutcase, anarchist and lover of chaos will be emulating his bad examples in doing the same. The people are the boss? Wrong! He is the boss in setting all the bad examples for all the wrong twisted reasons.
Randy David is disappointing. His supposed brilliance again failed to be useful to the nation. He has embraced an ideology that is selective to whatever is convenient to him.
If I recall correctly, these oppositors conceded to SC ruling on the constitutionality of CJ appointment because of the magistrates’ commanding majority vote. They were only howling of GMA’s lack of delicadeza for doing such and even went on to pontificate her that it may be legal but not moral. And now, since Filipinos must have already forgotten, they are going back to legitimacy issue. They are now sounding like a broken record.
And why will Corona and other GMA appointees be beholden to GMA? What will they gain now that she is no longer in power? True, there is a Filipino value of “utang na loob” but more alarming are those who are “straw” (Miriam’s term)plastic na, sipsip pa.
What they are doing now is demagoguery. GMA is right on this one. People may say “demagoguery daw” with sarcasm (the way juveniles do at a schoolyard). But that’s exactly what it is. For lack of a solid foundation to build a sound argument upon it has now become a circus of stirring up emotional fanaticism and clouding logic using persuasion devices not too different from the sort used by cult leaders on their ignorant flock. One disturbing development is how they are now putting up the notion of “rule of law” as something detestable — just because it hasn’t worked to their favour.
A demagogue is a tyrant who is stupid enough to think he is right.
Simple enough not to realise his stupidity
Narcissistic enough to believe what sycophants say.
( there is a play by bette midler – very funny lady – ‘demagogue puppets’ with some world leaders on the poster – someone is missing! – ? photoshop someone)
@roi
He is definitely a turn-off. He is not above going down PNoy’s path just to get to GMA. And it is working. It’s hard to compete with people who are connected to the media. They always get the biggest audience.
nicely written observation.
unfortunately a country that believes and buys drink to increase your breast size, a pill to add inches to your height and a soap which turns you white are clearly easily led. lemmings and cliff come to mind
I’m afraid you are right. There’s very little hope that people will listen to unbiased reasoning.
Thanks nona!
great post! maraming salamat!
Thanks, grantlim!
great article backed by facts and reason.
it’s a shame the inquirer prints garbage of randy david ,neil cruz and conrado de quiroz.
Their analysis can be good if only they apply it to PNoy as well.
Very well written Ilda. If it isn’t too much to ask I wonder if you could enlighten us with an article about De Lima’s record as CHR commissioner which can say much about her caliber as a lawyer. I keep trying to recall if she had a remarkable stint there but couldn’t think of one good case she had brought to prosecution. Was she all bark than bite? If she was then she is as mediocre as her boss. And with her as gov’t lawyer against a battery of abogados de campanilla (eg.Estelito Mendoza, Topacio, et al.)of Arroyo, then this President is in for a big humiliating surprise when they lose their cases against her. It should be one hell of a court battle and I am excited to see that spectacle.
Hi mommyjo,
I’ll see what I can find about her. She wasn’t on my radar until this fiasco.
I believe they do not have a solid case against GMA. The case might get thrown out for lack of evidence, which they will blame on the SC as being “biased” for GMA.
Thanks, Ilda for considering my request. Am looking forward to your article.
About the case against GMA, sinabi mo! Exactly my feelings. That’s why they are conditioning the minds of the herded-cattle-Filipino, that the SC is corrupt so that when they lose their cases they can always say it’s because of the corrupt SC and not because they are incompetent louts. I’ve always said that if GMA really is what they paint her to be, I’ll be more than glad to see her jailed BUT they must give us foolproof evidence or they are all just a bunch of comics (to be kind about it) who are wasting our time and tax money. As for our MSM, they are 3rd class kowtowing fools who are still starry-eyed after almost 2 years of nothing. That’s why our TV is fixed on CNN, BBC and Channel News Asia. I check the local news everyday just to know if there’s anything worth knowing about but almost always end up feeling insulted. For example, their foreign news would be on a horse or whatever with 2 heads in some sorry corner of the world, but nary a hint about the global economy crashing or whatnot. And why would showbiz news eat a substantial time of the evening news? Do I care about those starlets and daughters of starlets? It’s so pathetic, they think all Filipinos who watch the news are morons who deserve disgusting programs. Insulting to the intelligence. It’s like they want to keep us ill-informed. And the endless telenovelas, which is another topic. Thank God my kids scoff at them!
Sorry for this long post, just needed to vent a bit. LOL
I always find it hard to believe how these people (supposedly respected ones, as I once thought) could turn a blind eye while the whole country is suffering. I don’t believe that they are misled or misinformed … they know what they’re doing. And I can’t imagine what’s in it for them that they are willing to forsake the whole country. They capitalize on the weaknesses (which are too many to mention) of most Filipinos to get what they want and most of the time they succeed.
Given the current situation of our country, it’s almost hopeless. But as quoted by an English author – “The pen is mightier than the sword†I hope articles like these would someday change our course and would lead to a better Philippines.
@Ilda and for the rest of the writers here in getrealphilippines, thank you very much for putting an effort to write these articles.
You have to note that this Peenoy administration is not using the “sword” anyway. They’re using bigger pens: Inquirer, ABS-CBN, SWS, etc., and their ink supply runs to billions of pesos.
Sadly, you’re right.
@sheena
Most Filipinos try to romanticize the problem. They really believe that PNoy is the hero they have been waiting for. Some also cannot accept that it is also their lack of attention to how their public servants do their jobs that is partly to blame for corrupt behaviour. Being vigilant is hard work. Unfortunately, most Filipinos do not like hard work.
Thanks for keeping an open mind. I hope you can help spread the truth.
definitely! 🙂
thank you for this article and this website…i never trust mainstream news, and if ever i stumble news from them, i check on other perspectives and find still with my wits with me…:)
i’m very concerned with other people’s sheep mentality when it comes to current events…always taking things as they are when it’s almost always not so, specially here in this country.
@Ismelina
Your description “sheep mentality” is very accurate. Critical thinking is frowned upon in our society. We are taught not to question authority.
Thanks for reading.
If a person like , Mr. Randy David points blame of a politician, he does not like. But, overlooks the obvious shortcomings of an incompetent President. I have to suspect: Why is he doing it?Maybe,his pocket is full of money from the funds of Aquino…maybe he just don’t like the politician, because of “mayroon siyang atraso”…
The self – confessed bribe taker: Sec. Puno, is not even mentioned. Mr. David is blind on it. The Dacer-Corbito case is not even there…it does not exist anymore. The Hacienda Luisita massacre and acquisition is not even mentioned…
Mr. Randy David, is a good example of our called:”Patronage Politics”…your patron politician , takes care of your bank account. Then, you sing your praises to High Heaven on him…it’s a good way to earn a living…
Thanks for sharing your moral courage.
A quote for the BadNoy in Malascanang:
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of genius- and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.”
-Albert Einstein
Thanks for the quote.
You are welcome Ilda. Have a great Sunday!
My Der Fuhrer…Herr UberMeister Theoretical Physicist : Albert Einstein, was talking about those Scientists, that were against his : “Theory of Relativity”…and his “Theory on Everything”…the YellowTard Idiots in Malacanang, qouted it for political purposes…see how ignorant these people are? Next time, YellowTards, undrstand what you are qouting…
Thanks!
I lumped this Randy David with William Esposo, Harry Roque, and Conrado De Quiros as unhinged columnists. They have a different definition of the word “shame”. I can suspect “emotion” and “shame” to them are the same.
Just to have a baseline:
I find Jojo Robles, Gary Olivar, Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino, Isagani Cruz, Solita Monsod, and Babe Romualdez columns as insightful.
There are foods that you have to taste first before you ‘ll know that they are rotted. These unhinged columnists are like rotted penoy – it stinks to high heaven. You don’t have to taste them.
That’s why my name for the yellowtards man is Penoy.
@Trosp
I noticed that PNoy supporters tend to hate criticism. They moderate comments on their site and only allow flattering comments. They just pat each other on the back.
as you say everyone has motives – agree
as you say pnoy is simple and transparent – agree
pnoys simple and transparent motives
overall – maintain status quo via dominance of cojuangco-aquino clan
specifics
personal – jail gma
family – protect hacienda luisita (the recent ruling will cost cojuangco 10 -15 Billion pesos) hence the indecent haste to impeach whatever the cost to the country
business – no charter change – economic provisions
politicians – no FoI to protect misdeeds
clark – develop airport as international gateway and rail link. another reason why hacienda luisita is so critical and valuable to develop in future. estimates run as high as 150 Billion pesos with development permission.
politicians only thrive and survive by having sufficient unthinking followers who do not question but have blind faith. the church is similar.
@nona
and as usual the Filipino will wake up when it’s already too late and we need another people power. I am tired and has grown “older” 🙂 to want to join anymore of those which turn out to be disappointingly useless.
just watch it on tv.
pnoy who said at the weekend that god is on his side! is hoping for people power to oust corona.
if the average country iq is 86 then majority does not mean right since the majority are one rung above trained monkeys on the intelligence ladder
I wonder what kind of “god” he has?
“beware of false prophets in sheep’s clothing…”
i am seeking the truth and i know God is on the side of truth. i do not believe in the tenet vox populi, vox Dei because people are fallible and can always be misguided in believing what is the truth. for me, there are always two sides of a coin.
add another question to yours, ilda? who gave Pnoy exclusive rights to GOd for him to have the gall to say He is on his side?
@Jesus
His supporters.
@Jesus
BS Aquino a.k.a. BadNoy said God is on his side? He must be having hallucinations! I saw the miracle of the one and only original EDSA revolution. People stopped people from killing each other. BadNoy was not there! He should show to everyone his credentials from God. Why are there no miracles in his watch? Hahahahahaha!
in this country, you are guilty unless you are proven otherwise and the burden of proof lies in the accused and not the accuser. isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? the state has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime and all you have to do is cast a doubt of their proof, right? here, you allegedly committed a crime but in the headlines you are already guilty of the crime. it’s only an allegation and you made the headlines. you answer the allegations complete with evidence that you did nothing wrong and you are relegated to page five or worse to the letters to the editor. nobody seems to give a damn about this fact. one reason i see about this, it happened to somebody else and not to me or members of my family. what has made us so apathetic?
@Jesus
For most Filipinos, it is harder to accept the truth than a fabricated lie. This is because the truth actually proves that the people are partly to blame for the corrupt activities of their public servants. It is the people’s lack of attention to how public servants do their jobs that is the reason why public funds gets mismanaged. In other words, people’s apathy and indifference to how the country is being run is the real cause of corruption not GMA.
Like what I wrote in my previous article: “Most Filipinos don’t like the idea of working harder to elevate our status to one of being among the first-class nations in the world; we would rather wait for someone to do it for us. Unfortunately, because our society has become anti-intellectual, the intellectuals are driven to leave the country. The brain drain reduces our chances of competing with other nations whose aim is to be the best at what they do and excel at every endeavor.
It is not an exaggeration therefore to say that Filipinos who are labeled “killjoy†or “walang pakisama†are the same ones who are serious about the state of the nation and use their heads for critical analysis in most situations. Unfortunately, those who apply a critical mind in Philippine society are outnumbered by those who don’t, so the former ends up being bullied to submission or being helpless.”
Read the full article here Filipinos and happiness: why we need to be serious about it
Unfortunately, those who apply a critical mind in Philippine society are outnumbered by those who don’t, so the former ends up being bullied to submission or being helpless.â€
This is very true,I get bullied even with my own relative for supporting GMA’s hard work and political will. They tag me as maka gloria, at first I just ignore them thinking arguing with them is just a waste of time until I decided to expressed myself in facebook. Yes I wrote a note explaining my political views and analysis and tag them all so they will be able to read it. Now when I see them, they’re silent coz I know they can’t make a rebuttal because they only have one source of information which is ABS-CBN. Most of them are really brainwashed by these TV network. They perceived that the Aquino’s are victims of the Marcos’s. If all those victims became so powerful and filthy rich then am not stupid to believe that.
“In other words, people’s apathy and indifference to how the country is being run is the real cause of corruption not GMA.” – Aren’t people’s apathy and indifference and government corruption symptoms of a bigger problem?
Yes, it’s a symptom of our dysfunctional culture. One particular trait that contributes to the dysfunction is the typical Filipino’s obsession with having a good time. I wrote about that in one of my previous articles:
Filipinos and happiness: why we need to be serious about it
Here’s some excerpts:
“Filipinos in general are preoccupied with the desire to be on a permanent state of euphoria or at least with being perceived to be a “happy-go-lucky†society no matter what circumstances they are in. Unfortunately, this national obsession with being “happy†or having a good time instead actually leads the Filipino people to a permanent state of misery because their pursuit of happiness is shallow and misguided.
Because of our obsession with being perceived as a “happy-go-lucky†people, we unfortunately also come across as a people who do not take things too seriously even in times of crisis; which is why our social ills stay unresolved. In fact, Filipinos in general don’t even realize that our national psyche needs to be rehabilitated. Most Filipinos are of the belief that our corrupt public officials are solely to blame for the sad state of our nation. This is funny because the Filipino people are free to choose their public servants. And yet they prefer to choose someone incompetent — which is why they get the government they deserve.”
Thanks Ilda for that lengthy “happy-go-lucky” article. I agree with almost everything you said there most especially the excesses of such “happiness.” I just want to share/raise some questions about you response and your article.
1. I am just thinking why most Filipinos turn out that way. Isn’t this kind of attitude “a way of escape” from a perceived cycle of poverty and suffering similar to the “African smile”? You are suggesting that Filipinos be more serious. Aren’t their daily lives already too serious and being happy-go-lucky is actually an instinctive way to survive?
2. You also talk about Filipinos being anti-intellectual. So how can we help our fellow countrymen to think? Isn’t patience a virtue that intellectuals must in guiding our less enlightened people?
3. I like your ideas about dysfunctional culture, copycats, and the need to rehabilitate our national psyche. I read old time nationalists confirming your words. They are just saying it differently like we are “brown Americans” and “Eastern yet with Western mindset.” So why are we like this? Why is our national consciousness ruined? What is your proposal? How can an ordinary Filipino be more assertive about national issues?
4. And a final word, you mention about US Declaration of Independence guaranteeing the right “to pursue happiness” as the “source” of happy-go-lucky attitude. I miss what you mean by that. Do you really believe that? Does US have the authority to grant such right or is it inherent for every human being?
Thanks! ^_^
@ RChavez
The idea is for people to live within their means. Most Filipinos think that in order to be happy, they need to be at a party or at large gathering eating and drinking alcohol. That thinking is simply misguided because 1) Instead of saving their money, they spend it on something that will not help them achieve economic stability like party food or drinks. 2) All that excessive partying is taking their time away from doing something more productive like working on their skill or being involved in community beautification. In fact, people should realize that they can actually have fun taking care of their environment. Planting trees and keeping the garbage off the streets can actually be good for their wellbeing. That will in turn build community spirit. It’s ok to have a party to celebrate a birthday for example but they should not go into debt just to show off.
The problem of educating the masses is very complicated. Aside from not having enough classrooms to accommodate the growing number of students, our media and film industry, which is being run by the so-called “elite” members of society is promoting stupidity through their dumb shows and films. People like Kris Aquino promote narcissism and moronism. You can read more about how our media and film industry is affecting the Filipino people in my articles: Filipino TV shows like Willing Willie make Filipinos dumber and Filipino films: they don’t make us think.
So you see, it is really the elite members of Philippine society who needs to shape up first because their behaviour is being emulated by the rest of the masses.
Filipinos need to stop blaming other people for all the ills in the land. They need to be more accountable for their actions. They can start during elections. They should consider the consequence of voting for an incompetent public servant. They need to use their head before writing down the name of the candidate on the ballot sheet. The best way to know who the right candidate is to ask for a platform from each candidate.
Every citizen’s obligation does not end after they have voted for their chosen candidate on Election Day. They need to monitor how their public servant is performing vigilantly during their entire term. If the public servant did not do a good job, he or she should not be re-elected.
What I meant by that is that somehow, people mistakenly think that the idea is that we should always be in a state of happiness or euphoria to live a fulfilling life. That is a false notion. Just like what I said in the article: “Humans have different set of moods. Normal people have a baseline or set point of happiness. We bounce up and down from that baseline in response to short-term events depending on the situation, like when we hear some bad news or good news. Most people normally return to their baseline after some time. Unfortunately, some of us think that we have to be above the normal baseline all the time to be considered to be a “happy†person, which is quite an impossible state to achieve because it means that in order to be “high†all the time, the natural tendency to be down after a high needs to be continuously overcome. And if we keep soaring higher, the longer the fall that is sure to come sooner or later.
If we prefer to constantly experience that “high†feeling, we also have to be constantly entertained by outside stimuli. This outside stimuli could come in the form of watching a spectacle on TV, the movies, being on the computer all day playing a video game, or being around a large gathering of family and friends having a party just to be entertained. In short, when our brain is being entertained all the time, we don’t have time to think or engage in self-reflection.
How do we sustain the baseline level of happiness? Being happy does not necessarily mean that we should always be in a gathering with friends having a ball or a party. Being happy does not necessarily mean that we should literally be laughing all the time or making jokes that make light of otherwise serious things. It would be more ideal to find happiness during our spare time doing some productive work that stimulates the imagination — like reading a good book or learning a new set of skills to keep our brains occupied and sharp. This sort of baseline happiness is more sustainable and healthier for the brain. It offers greater potential for monetary rewards, which can lead to being in a healthier mood for longer periods of time.”
Thank you Ilda for your patience and your response. I appreciate those links you gave about media promoting stupidity. I think I will be linking to your site to read more of your contents. You really have a great mission here. Grace and peace! ^_^
You are welcome. You might also find this article relevant to your questions: Ten reasons why Filipinos blame Gloria Arroyo for everything
Cheers!
PLease do not justify what Arroyo did. EDSA 2 was stage by GMA, it just so happened that she as able ot convince everybody that she was doing the right thing. Well yeah, the right for her. Corona is an illegal Chief Justice. You can’t appoint within the 2 month period, only temporary position. Arroyo made sure that she has people on high post so that she can still control the government. Ever wonder why she ran for congress after be a President?
Did you guys ever wonder how they were to secure the TRO and pay bonds even when it was after working hours. As far as I can recall, government offices are very strict when comes to closing time. Hell, they are even close an hour before closing time.
So please do not justify What Gloria did, cause one for sure is that she is the most corrupt President the Philippines ever had.
@PeterV
The so-called “midnight appointment” of the CJ is a settled issue. Seems like interpreting the law is now fashionable and every bench lawyer, nutzi and nutcase makes this mistake.
“She is the most corrupt President the Philippines ever had.”- What no alleged? Guilty before trial? I suppose BadNoy and his political allies is seen as squeaky clean and with no faults. No alleged corruption and criminality in his administration? LOL!
PeterV
I was merely stating events in the past.
Please do not rewrite history. “It was Cory Aquino, the mother of PNoy, who was one of those who led the second people power revolution dubbed “Edsa II†that unconstitutionally unseated Erap. The late Manila Cardinal Archbishop Jaime Sin, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, former President, Fidel Ramos all called for Erap’s resignation after Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit†Singson, a longtime friend of President Joseph Estrada, went public with accusations that Estrada, his family and friends received millions of pesos from operations of the illegal numbers game, jueteng.”
And please do not claim to know more than constitutional experts. It was crytal clear what transpired before GMA appointed Corona. You are just in denial. Just do some Googling and read some archived news. Better yet, just read this one published on 18th March from Philstar: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=558957
I am not rewriting history.. yes, cory was one of the leader of that revolution, but i believe she regret it after the fact. They all went there cause they all believe what was happeing that time was the right thing to do. For Singson, we all know who and what he is. All I am saying is that Arroyo got the ball rolling. The revolution was plan B, Erap was winning in the senate. You, your a blogger, you should know this. Jose Pidal, still a question mark..
And yes, you are right, you are just merely stating events of the past, and thats where the problem is. Shouldn’t we look into it deeper, learn from it and not repeat it.. just a thought..
@PeterV
Regretting it doesn’t change the fact that Cory was one of the ones who led the revolt. It was crystal clear that there were so many people calling for the resignation of Erap. It is very convenient for some people like you to forget it or revise the real reason it happened. In saying that GMA managed to trick everyone into helping her oust Erap, you insult their intelligence.
GMA did not hold a gun to their heads when they went to EDSA. Going out to hold a rally is not a simple matter. No one force them to do it. Do you think someone could have actually forced the late Jaime Cardinal Sin to go there if he didn’t want to? Are you saying they didn’t think about what they were doing at that time? Please think about what you are saying.
A reply to Ilda’s statement below..
Yes, you are right, there were millions of people, such as it was called “people power”. I did not even say they were forced to go out to the streets. The intentions were all right, imagine you are saving your country from a corrupt president. The only problem was that they give our country to someone much more worst.
Please take some time to understand what I’m stating, and reply accordingly.. Nobody force any body by pointing a gun. The mind is a much more powerful tool than a gun.
@PeterV
So what exactly are you trying to say? That GMA uses some kind of Jedi mind trick?!?
This guy is a classic example of a person with a made-up mind.
Facts do not matter to them.
Sigh…
PLease Read This
Monsod: No ambiguity in Charter on midnight appointments
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 03/18/2010 1:12 PM | Updated as of 03/18/2010 1:12 PM
MANILA, Philippines – One of the authors of the 1987 Constitution on Thursday said the Supreme Court erred in its decision granting President Arroyo the power to appoint the next Chief Justice despite the ban on midnight presidential appointments.
Christian Monsod, one of 50 people who drafted the 1987 Charter, said the Constitutional Commission had enunciated a clear policy against presidential appointments 60 days before an election and until the end the president’s term.
He said there is no ambiguity in Article 7, Section 15 of the Constitution on the Executive Department, which says: “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.”
“Where’s the ambiguity in Article 7 Section 15 on the limitations of the presidential appointing power? Where’s the ambiguity?†he said.
Monsod pointed out that this provision even specified that the only exemption to the ban is the appointment to temporary executive positions.
No ambiguity
“I think the ambiguity is in the minds of those justices,†Monsod told radio dzMM, explaining that the 1987 Charter has a clear policy banning midnight appointments.
Had the authors of the 1987 Constitution sought to exempt the judiciary from the midnight appointment ban, Monsod said they would have included the exemption in section on the judiciary.
The Supreme Court ruling granting Arroyo the authority to name the next Chief Justice despite the ban on midnight appointments gave weight to Section 4 of Article 8 of the Constitution, which mandates the filling up of vacant positions in the High Tribunal within 90 days.
This provision says: “The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or in its discretion, in division of three, five, or seven Members. Any vacancy shall be filled within ninety days from the occurrence thereof.”
Monsod also denied that a debate took place among members of the 1987 Constitutional Commission regarding these 2 provisions.
“Wala ho akong natatandaan na ganoon (I do not remember anything like that happened),†said Monsod.
He said the Supreme Court should have upheld the ban on midnight appointments as found in Article 7, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution.
Holdover president
Despite the pro-Arroyo ruling, Monsod said he still believes the Supreme Court can make an independent ruling in the event there is failure of elections and the issue of Arroyo’s continued stay in power is brought before the high court.
Arroyo’s critics fear that failure of elections may lead to the president holding on to power beyond June 30, 2010.
In case this scenario happens, Monsod believes the so-called “Arroyo Supreme Court†will vindicate itself and abide by the Constitution.
“Baka naman bumaligtad sila (Maybe they will switch sides) when it comes, for example, to the issue of the holdover president,†Monsod said.
He said a Supreme Court ruling on Arroyo becoming a “holdover president†in case of a failure of proclamation by June 30 would be a more critical ruling than the latest SC decision granting Arroyo the power to appoint the next Chief Justice during the election period.
He said groups and individuals who are on a “Supreme Court watch” should exercise restraint and give the present members of the high court the benefit of the doubt that they can make independent decisions.
“Maybe the Supreme Court can vindicate itself on that one,†Monsod said
Christian Monsod is not empowered by the Philippine Constitution of 1987 to interpret the law.
The sole arbiter is and will always be the Supreme Court. Even BadNoy has no power to interpret the law for his own hidden political agenda.
It is now a national pastime to interpret the law because of the bad examples set by the mediocre mind of BadNoy.
I repeat, it is a settled issue.
PeterV, the trouble with your comment, the way I see it, is you’re not comprehending what you’re reading.
Clearly, in what you’re brandishing in your comment, there is this Article VIII Section 4 of our 1987 there:
“The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or in its discretion, in division of three, five, or seven Members. Any vacancy shall be filled within ninety days from the occurrence thereof.â€
No ambiguity!
And according to Fr. J. Bernas:
“A decision six years from now, however, or even a constitutional amendment, will not help those who oppose the legitimacy of Corona’s appointment. The present Constitution authorizes the President to make appointments to the Supreme Court from a list submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). The JBC duly submitted a list and from that list President Arroyo chose to crown Corona. The process is legally unassailable even if, in the view of many, morally questionable.
True it is that the validity of appointments also depends upon the existence of a vacancy. But the nomination to a vacancy that is certain to occur may be done and can ripen into a valid appointment provided that when the vacancy occurs the official who made the nomination still has the authority to appoint. A vacancy was certain to occur last May 17. When May 17 arrived President Arroyo still had the power. It is as simple as that.â€
By the way:
A.) Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J., J.S.D. is a Jesuit and is Dean Emeritus of Ateneo Law School in Makati City, Philippines. He was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted the present Philippine Constitution.
Bernas is a renowned expert in the Philippine Constitution and a prolific author of law books and articles.
B.) Christian Monsod is one of the 1975 TOYM Awardees for Finance. Monsod was the Chairman of the Commission on Election from June 6, 1991 to February 15, 1995. He was also a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted the present Philippine Constitution.
Again, according to Fr. J. Bernas:
“Let me close with another aspect of our tainted humanity. It is known that Senator Aquino toyed with the idea of taking his oath before a barangay captain. It could have been a gesture of thanksgiving to the masses who elected him to office. As it turns out, however, it might not be just a barong Tagalog which a barangay captain lacks but also legal authority. But contrary to what the Malacañang “constitutionalist†Saludo claims, the Constitution does not obligate Aquino to take his oath before Corona. Nevertheless, TAKING THE OATH BEFORE THE CHIEF JUSTICE WOULD BE AN ASSURANCE, ADDRESSED TO AN ANXIOUS PUBLIC, THAT HE DOES NOT INTEND TO BE A ROGUE PRESIDENT AND THAT HE RECOGNIZES THE COURT AS A CO-EQUAL BODY, WARTS AND ALL. IF HE HAS ANY QUALMS ABOUT IT, HE MIGHT ASSUAGE HIS FEELINGS BY REMEMBERING WHAT SOMEONE GREATER THAN HE SAID ABOUT THE PHARISEES: LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY BUT DO NOT DO WHAT THEY DO.
24 May 2010â€
That was said last year and what is Penoy doing now?
Just like a rotten penoy, he was already stinking since last year.
Claro PeterV?
have you already forgotten? it was an issue when gloria appointed corona. the only reason that she was able to appoint him is that she was in control then, was ale to manipulate the law to allow her to appoint corona. Everybody knows that corona is a midmight appointee, they just can’t do anything. Monsod mentioned that Article VIII.. but he followed that the ban should have been upheld.. Fr Bernas, just quoted that she has the power to appoint. But her to power to appoint should been over-ruled by the 2 month ban.. Thats very clear to me..
@PeterV
Don’t be too ignorant of the law. And don’t be in denial too. The report from Philstar.com doesn’t lie. It was the JBC who gave the list of nominees to GMA for the vacant position. Constitutional experts and the Supreme Court at that time ruled that it was ok for GMA to appoint the next judge because the ban on appointments only apply to executive positions in government and not the judiciary. I hope you can look that up if you don’t get that part. It is only PNoy and his minions who keep telling ignorant people the wrong information.
I’m not ignorant and I’m not in denial as well ( why would I be, I don’t get it ). You just clarified my statement.. And the “ban” was a general statement, that means a ban to all appointments. The exception was to the appointment to temporary position in government.
@PeterV
Here’s the part of the constitution you need to read. It talks about the ban on appointing executive positions on government:
“Article 7, Section 15 of the Constitution, which stated 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.â€
The ban does not extend to the judiciary.
Indeed it is a done deal as Noynoy way back had already categorically accepted Corona’s appointment as SC Chief Justice (refer here). As such there is no longer any point in debating that point. The SC has ruled and Noynoy has accepted on record. Double bolt lock on the issue there.
As far as I am concerned, Winnie Monsod is not a constitutional expert. She is an economist.
What is your problem with Corona anyway? Aren’t you glad that someone in the SC will be checking on your PNoy? Would you rather everyone is appointed by PNoy? Wouldn’t the logic that any appointee of PNoy will be indebted to him the way you accuse Corona of being indebted to GMA?
ate, we are talking about Christian Monsod, one of the 50 people that drafted the 1987 charter.. There were others before Corona during arroyo’s time, that i don’t have problem with.. But Corona is totally in Arroyo’s pocket. He was her aide before, and his wife was also appointed by arroyo in a government position, which was also questionable. That would put into question the independence of his actions. Don’t you think so?
It would. But why fixate on that relationship when all his actions so far can be defended squarely within the framework of the law which makes the relationship with his former boss incidental?
Of course you can choose to read into said actions. But within the framework of the law at fae value, the actions are well within his authority as Chief Justice.
@ PeterV
If you think that Corona’s independence is impaired, please cite examples when he made decisions displaying partiality.
That would settle whether he’s unreasonably biased or not. C’mon.
@PeterV
You shouldn’t go around accusing other people of something that hasn’t been proven in court. You are being malicious and vindictive. You accuse GMA of favoring Corona but you turn a blind eye to PNoy’s appointment of his Kaibigan, Kaklase and Kamag-anak in government positions. Don’t be too biased. The incumbent President has the prerogative to choose the SC judge. PNoy would have chosen someone favorable to him as well if he were in GMA’s shoes.
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY….how hard is this to understand…
I AM NOW YOUR FAN!
And I am your fan. I look forward to reading your comments. 🙂
It seems that Prof. Randy David is suffering from amnesia or maybe just a selective amnesia should i say. He forgot to mention that his beloved wife Mrs. Karina Constantino-David, one of the keynote speaker during the EDSA 2, whom i personally listened to and witnessed, was also a beneficiary of his so-called “utang na loob” appointments when she was appointed and accepted the position as the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission a month after GMA sworn in at EDSA.
Minsan naiisip ko na lahat na lang ng ngyayari sa mga kalaban ni PNOY like FPGMA, CJ Corona, Abalos, etc. may basehan man o wala ay nagiging mas personalan, galit at ganti ang nangingibababaw kayasa pairalin ang rule of law at ang tinatawag na due process.
Anyway nice article maam. All i wish na madami ang makakaintindi at makakaunawa dito at hindi lang basta nakabasa.
@Juan
Thanks for that bit of information. I wish you could comment on his article regarding that.
His argument was such a disappointment, indeed. Very biased against GMA.
The ink is black the page is white …
In the hand of a skilled writer, the black can be made white , the wrong can be made right.
I’m so glad I have read this blog. Now I understand why Corona’s appointment as an SC chief is legal. Goodness and not all Filipinos care if they understand the issue or not. Pres. PNoy is just controling the mindest of the mass through misleading and baseless claims. This is not good for the country. He can manipulate everyone. It’s like Martial Law- with people unknowingly supporting it.
The author’s objective and factual presentation of her article deserve public attention and respect for the effort and deep insight into the fault of the system particularly in governance, its role of debt of gratitude having deep influence how graft and corruption contaminate the very core of the moral fiber causing its decay and brands Philippine political System’ culture of corruption needs rectification economically and politically.