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I’m taking a short break

June 28, 2012

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HALO-HALO: My Gossip Column

By Raïssa Robles

The last few months have been draining.  I felt very, very tired after the impeachment trial of ex-CJ Renato Corona. So I’m taking a short break to recharge,  and to think what direction to take this blog, together with Our Cyber Plaza Miranda – the growing community of readers who congregate in this site.

I decided to go on a short trip to the most relaxing, non-happening place I could think of – Singapore – which is safe and quiet and the opposite of Manila. The first week of July is also  the best time for a political junkie like me to be away: Congress is in recess, the President is preparing his State of the Nation Address and politicians are on vacation.

Before I go, here are some political tidbits I’ve gathered.

Ridiculous” is how Senator-judge Joke Arroyo calls the ongoing process to appoint the replacement of Renato Corona to the Supreme Court. The 85-year-old senator told the Philippine Daily Inquirer recently:

This bid to be Chief Justice is getting to be ridiculous. Imagine 50 (nominees) already? Every Tom, Dick and Harry wants to be Chief Justice.

Personally, I disagree with Arroyo who had branded Corona’s sacking as a “political assassination.”

Even if there are more than 50 nominees, only a baker’s dozen – or 13 – have actually accepted their nomination, which is a prerequisite to being considered. The number may be further whittled down as the 13 go through several hoops that consist of the following:

  • Lengthy documentary requirements;
  • A medical AND a psychiatric/psychological exam;
  • A very exhaustive disclosure of assets, liabilities and net worth that would include a waiver on the examination of all bank deposits in local and foreign currencies;
  • A background check on their private lives;
  • A televised interview where any question can be asked on their public and private lives; and
  • Any letters of complaints from the general public that they would be made to answer.

To see the requirements, please click on this link.

In other words, the next Chief Justice will go through the wringer – similar to what those who run for the office the Philippine President goes through.

Joker Arroyo said this “devalues” the post of the Chief Justice.

I believe it REVALUES the post.

It is the first time Filipino citizens will get a close-up of what a Chief Justice is all about. It is the first time Filipino citizens  will take part in choosing the next one – for better or for worse. It is the first time we will get to understand more intimately what it means to have three co-equal branches of government. It is the first time the people will OWN a Chief Justice. And the Chief Justice will OWE his office to the people who will be listening in on the appointment process.

Speaking of the Senate, did you hear about this esteemed senator who was chanced upon in the darkened session hall with a young female – a staff member of another senator – sitting on his august lap? No, silly. It wasn’t Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Back to the search for the new Chief Justice – as of June 25, 2012 only the following have accepted their nomination and are therefore in the running:

  1. SC Justice Arturo Brion
  2. SC Associate Justice Roberto Abad
  3. Former UP law dean Raul Pangalangan
  4. De La Salle University law founding dean Jose Manuel Diokno
  5. Former Ateneo law dean Cesar Villanueva
  6. Election commissioner Rene Sarmiento
  7. Retired Judge Manuel Siayngco Jr.
  8. Former executive secretary Ronaldo Zamora
  9. Lawyer Katrina Legarda
  10. Lawyer Soledad Cagampang-de Castro
  11. Lawyer Rafael Morales
  12. Lawyer Vicente Velasquez
  13. Lawyer Ferdinand Jose Pijao

Earlier, I had come up with a “tentative list of names that I thought could be looked into.” See my story – Looking for the New Supreme Court Chief Justice

Three of the names I mentioned on my “tentative list” have since been nominated and have accepted their nominations. They are:

  1. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, founding Dean of De La Salle University College of Law and chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group
  2. Raul Pangalangan – former Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law
  3. Katrina Legarda – lawyer of the victim of former Congressman Romeo Jalosjos

Since I wrote that piece earlier this month, people have contacted me. Because of what they told me and what I have confirmed on my own, I am now expressing some reservations over two of the names I placed on my “tentative list”. They are: Former Dean Raul Pangalangan and private lawyer Katrina Legarda.

The information given me had nothing to do with their qualifications, which remain impeccable, but with something else. I hope to ask both nominees about these soon.

And oh, by the way, some commenters have been nagging me to find out what had happened to the kiss-kiss-hug-hug that took place so dramatically between ex-CJ Corona’s family and the Basa-Guidote family during the impeachment trial.

“Nothing” – was the reply of my source.

There has been no follow-up get-together and no phone call from Cristina Corona. Nothing, my source confirmed.

Maybe they’re on vacation too. Just a guess.

Tomorrow I’m off to Kinokuniya bookstore.

Tagged With: Judicial Bar Council, Senate, Senator Joker Arroyo, Supreme Court Chief Justice

Comments

  1. leona says

    July 9, 2012 at 1:13 PM

    On No. 60 @ Alizarin says about J. Carpio that “he represent continuity” on the SC…something not worthy to do, etc. The good past of our SC should be brought back. Make better changes on it too. What reforms should the SC do? Ma’am Raissa she will bring out “Character” an important thing to focus on a CJ.

    Character & reforms…let us leave the first for Ma’am Raissa, but discuss into what reforms.

    • Alizarin Viridia says

      July 9, 2012 at 6:58 PM

      On #65 by LEONA

      Like to Ms Raissa’s, etc , the ideas of others might be alleged to be mine. Liking the ideas of others does not make it mine. Look below at #60 referred to above as mine.

      THIS IS NOT MINE I DID NOT WRITE IT but by C de Quiros whose sharpest mind and pen had struck hard the black hearts and bones of many. Read the complete article if you wish:

  2. baycas says

    July 8, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    JBC member lawyer Jose Mejia, who represents the academe, said the eight-member council will start publishing the list of nominees on July 9, after which, the eight-man panel will schedule a public interview of the aspirants where they will be asked about the opposition on their nominations.

    http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/07/03/de-lima-wont-back-out-race-chief-justice-230047

    The concern is not on the nomination of de Lima, it is in her acceptance of it.

    Who will replace her as JBC member?

    The “Secretary of Justice”, mentioned once in the 1987 Constitution, is part of the JBC composition.

    ARTICLE VIII
    JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

    Section 8. (1) A Judicial and Bar Council is hereby created under the supervision of the Supreme Court composed of the Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the Secretary of Justice, and a representative of the Congress as ex officio Members, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired Member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector.

    So, for SOJ Leila de Lima, it is ambition FIRST before constitutional duty.

    At least in the case of J. Antonio Carpio, the SC, which has supervising authority over the JBC, said that J. Peralta is now the SC representative to the JBC. No vacancy left.

    http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/264328/news/nation/sc-associate-justice-diosdado-peralta-to-chair-jbc-during-search-for-new-cj

    http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/07/06/12/peralta-now-presides-over-jbc

    Sec. de Lima, who will replace you in the JBC?

    • baycas says

      July 8, 2012 at 6:39 AM

      (While the above is awaiting moderation…)

      On a side note…

      The present SC, in Dulay vs. JBC (2012), used the Judiciary Act of 1948 as basis for allowing the most qualified senior Associate Justice to occupy a position in an “ACTING” capacity.

      In 2010, de Castro vs. JBC disregarded the existence of an “Acting” Chief Justice. Just to reiterate, this was belied by recent events as we now have an Acting Chief Justice (Carpio) and an Acting JBC Chair (Peralta).

    • baycas says

      July 18, 2012 at 11:41 PM

      Maganda ito…

      http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/16/12/jbc-oks-replacement-de-lima

  3. baycas says

    July 7, 2012 at 7:09 AM

    Yan na nga ba sabi ko. Sana di tinanggap ni Carpio ang nomination. Dahil ang galing niya puwedeng gamitin sa pamumuno ng pagpili ng CJ-able. Sayang.

    Laos na si Hermosisima. ‘Di siya dapat mamuno ng JBC.

    Wala nang magawa..kaya tama lang na may pumalit kay Carpio. Si Peralta ang hahalili kay Carpio.

    Ungas naman si Tupas at ang sasang-ayon sa kaniya kung hindi nila papayagan mapasailalim ang JBC sa supervision ng SC.

    Kay de Lima naman, dapat may pumalit din na DOJ Secretary bilang ex officio member ng JBC…

    In short, magresign ka as DOJ Secretary ngayong tinanggap mo ang nominasyon para sa CJ post.

  4. Alizarin Viridia says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:31 PM

    Jumping the gun on the topic of the third SONA . . . .

    Noynoying as substance of SONA is really oxymoron because:

    Noynoying is what critics of President Aquino DO everyday and
    achieve for the country; NOTHING, ZERO.

    Noynoying is what President Aquino IS NOT DOING FOR
    THE COUNTRY because he is ACHIEVING SOMETHING HOWEVER
    LITTLE WITHOUT MUCH TALKING NONSENSE.

    NOYNOYING IS REALLY ONE OF MEDIA’S NONSENSE THAT PAYS..

  5. DaveofBacolod says

    July 6, 2012 at 5:18 PM

    Regarding the post at 42.1 by peregrino natividad regarding disenfranchisement of “The hungry….the useless…. the estanby…. the illiterate….. the drunkard…… the bolanguero….. all the scum in Philippine society” , this idea is full of bullshit and autocratic ideals. We are living in a Democracy, it is not perfect I concede, but it does not mean that we should curb the rights of our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Not all of them chose to be in their current situation, others are born in unfortunate circumstances and we should not hold that against them and simply take away their right of suffrage.

    I am sorry mate but you sound like those idiots who are nostalgic of the Marcos Dictatorship. Are you a lover of Tsarist Russia or perhaps of various regimes presently that are repressive to their own people? You even sound like Hitler himself, suggesting to demote those you called “scums of our society” and giving away their right of suffrage. We are just one society and when you start suggesting ideas that will demote the masses into a kind of second class citizens then my friend you have got to review your philosophical ideas.

    You are condemning a large part of the society into discrimination with this idea of yours. How can we then claim that elections will be the will of the people if a large part of society will have their votes taken away? Your suggestion will be a disaster since the corrupt dynastic politicians you are against with will only strengthen their hold to society (not every educated person is a principled individual and he will also sell his votes albeit for a larger compensation), not to mention that your idea will ferment revolutionary tendencies that might finally turn our country into a Totalitarian State under the Communists.

    Seriously, what were you thinking? Why not suggest a massive voter’s education program? If you are committed to the re education of the voters, then organize a nationwide NGO and help these “scums” instead of discriminating them and suggesting idiotic statements of amending the Constitution and passing the dreaded “property and literacy laws.” Or another idea will be pressuring the government to uphold the interpretation of the provision in our Constitution regarding dynasty politics. What about closing loopholes on the amount politicians can spend during elections? Or empowering the COA by implementing stringent independent auditing to Public Spending during election cycles? What about pressuring Congress to empower the BIR and increase taxes on every campaign contribution given?

    There are a lot more avenues to be explored but for you to suggest passing discriminatory laws that will disenfranchise Filipinos from voting is an insult not only to our democracy but to the heroes that sacrificed for our country. I am even doubting you are a Filipino, you sound more like an American who is fanatical to the GOP. I am sorry to say but if you love and care for the Philippines do your share and help, not discriminate or you can also simply renounce your Filipino heritage if you are ashamed of my country.

    • leona says

      July 7, 2012 at 5:32 PM

      @Dave…U really “disenfranchised” Peregrine with a lambasting language! …hahaha…hindi pa siya ‘Pinoy citizen? !

      • Tomas Gomez III says

        July 7, 2012 at 11:00 PM

        I noted his use of the word “bolanguero”….that comes from bulang or bolang…which is cockfight in Bisaya…..parag-bulang or bolanguero….is sabungero in Tagalog. Is Mr. Natividad an ex-Bisayan? I’d like to see his answer to Dave’s critique. Hala, pag-bulang kamo nga duha!!! (Mag-sabong kayong dalawa!)

        • DaveofBacolod says

          July 8, 2012 at 5:19 AM

          I want him to defend his suggestion why these people must be disenfranchised I mean common really? He is being prejudiced, paano if talagang gipit yung magpamilya?

        • leona says

          July 8, 2012 at 1:30 PM

          “Bolangueros” are not “scums of the earth” they are “capitalistas…may pero yun mga yun! Si Pacquiao isang bolanguero; si Chavit; atpba. So, this class should be allowed to vote. Yun mga “osyoseros sa bolangan” baka pa! If almost all Filipinos “pay taxes” one way or the other, each is with a right to vote. I agree. But if we disenfrancise some class, exempting them from paying any forms of taxes then. Correct? I have no definite answer.

          We can ask the opinions of the “standbys…drunkards, illiterates and bolangueros” on this point. @Peregrino of #42.1, what say you?

        • Alizarin Viridia says

          July 9, 2012 at 7:04 PM

          In ODIONGAN, Romblon: Bulang become buyang, balay becomes bayay. L becomes Y. I am not an Odionganon, anyone from CPMers?

      • DaveofBacolod says

        July 8, 2012 at 5:16 AM

        @leona

        sino ba namang nasa tamang pag-iisip ang mag sasabi na kailangang i “dis-enfranchise” yung mga less fortunate nating kababayan. Ay nako poteks na utak mukha atang lumaki sa isang pamilya aristocrat.

        Di ko na alam kung Pinoy yan eh, kitang kita mo sa salita na dapat raw yung mga “scums of society” eh kunan nang karapatan upang bumoto. Meron pang nalalaman na amend the Constitution without suggesting first na gawing mahigpit yung pagsaskatuparan nang mga batas sa pag regulate sa election.

        Kung talagang meron siyang pagmamahal sa inang bayan dapat suggestion niya improvement at hindi yung “disenfranchisement.” Anu yun? One step towards an autocratic society? I am for “meritocracy” hindi sa “autocracy,” kakainis mukha atang walang natutunan sa diktaturya nang Marcos.

    • jorge bernas says

      July 9, 2012 at 5:23 PM

      @ Dave,

      Tama ka pare dave, Ang dapat na hindi payagang BOMOTO ay yaong mga MUKHANG PERANG BOTANTE, Yong mga nagbebenta nang sagradong BOTO, yong mga nagpapagamit sa mga corrupt na POLITIKO at ang mga Taong may Mataas na katungkulan sa kanilang nasasakupan na walang ginawa kondi mapanatili ang kanilang mga pansariling pakinabang…

  6. Ancient Mariner says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:25 PM

    It seems to me that any of the current bunch of Supreme Court justices who condoned the midnight appointment of CJ Corona should be automatically excluded from consideration for the vacant post. Those who condoned it are just like blades of grass in the wind and not suited to a post which requires unblinkered honesty and conviction to uphold the Philippine Constitution.

    • Victin luz says

      July 7, 2012 at 2:36 AM

      Tama ka [email protected]…………dapat nga magresign sila and wait if they will be again recommended by the JBC. Kakahiya ang pag sang ayon nila sa mga kasinungalingan ni CORONA.

      • leona says

        July 7, 2012 at 5:35 PM

        a bunch of grass…good for our national animals…to be eaten by the CARABAOs !

    • jorge bernas says

      July 9, 2012 at 5:35 PM

      @ Ancient,

      Tama ka, Silang mga justices dati na pumabor sa midnight appointment ni convicted thief justice nato corona ay dapat magresign dahil nagpagamit sila kay Pandak noon. Nagpaka TUTA/NAGPAKADUWAG silang mga justices o baka NABAYARAN…

    • Tomas Gomez III says

      July 10, 2012 at 12:25 AM

      Remember the name Lucas Bersamin……he wrote the ponencia mischaracterizing and malinterpreting the Consitution. This man cannot be trusted. I am certain he is aware that he has prostituted himself but still does not mind looking at himself in the mirror every morning and saying “Pogi ka pa rin!!!” He is the epitome of “tapang apog” and “kapalmuks.”…..and to a slightly lesser degree, those in the SupremeCourt who agree and cosigned with him. “Delicadeza” absent thee forever from our souls!!!!

  7. pinay710 says

    July 5, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    may nabasa ako sa abs-cbn news na planong gawing elective ang spanish s mga public school sa 3rd at 4th year pagumpisa ng k-12. eh hindi naman mapapakinabangan ng mga magaarala ng spanish. sa kolehyo noon kasama sa pagaaral ang 25 units ng spanish. walang sinumang nakatapos ng mga subjects na yan ang natutong magsalita ng spanish. aksaya lang ng panahon yang pagtuturo ng spanish na yan. mas mabuti pa na lalong palakasin ang pagtuturo ng english dahil tanggapin man natin or hindi kakaunti sa mga nagtatapos sa public high schools ang marunong magsalita ng diretsong english. subukan ng dept of education na lahat ng magtatapos sa public school kapanayamin at aktual na kausapin ng english ang mga magtatapos at malalaman nyo kung ano ang kakulangan ng mga magaaral sa pagsasalita ng english. kaya kesa magturo ng spanish dapat engish na ang dagdagan ng aralin sa mga 3rd at 4th year sa public high school.

    • raissa says

      July 6, 2012 at 8:28 AM

      I think students will have a choice among several languages – Mandarin, German, French, Japanese. I did not hear about Spanish lately/ That was Arroyo’s initiative for which she won a cash prize from the Spanish government, which went to her own pocket.

    • Victin luz says

      July 6, 2012 at 2:10 PM

      Mandarin will be the best subject to be included in HS, most English subjects in HS are repeatation in our 1st year college.

    • DaveofBacolod says

      July 6, 2012 at 4:21 PM

      You are wrong in assuming that learning Spanish is useless, After Mandarin and English, Spanish is one of the world’s most spoken languages. Central America and Most of South America has Spanish based languages and people over there understood “generic” Spanish with differences over local influences. Don’t forget that Hispanic America is also a developing region and OFWs might find another opportunity over there.

      • Victin luz says

        July 6, 2012 at 7:07 PM

        @Dave, kasi in doing business in the Philippines nowadays you will always Entangled ( sad to say ) with our Filipino-Chinese counterparts especially in wholesale enterprises, that’s why in my opinion since we do business with mainland CHINA’s entrepreneurs and always bringing with them top and middle management to inspect supervise their awarded contracts in our country, it would be better if we have mandarin as subjects in HS and COLLEGE.

        So many CHINA-PHILIPPINES contracts DAVE, wala na tayong magawa they are now industrial GIANTS and we NEED their PRODUCTS and TECHNOLOGIES , technologies where the AMERICANS ay ipinagdamot sa atin for so many decades.

        • DaveofBacolod says

          July 6, 2012 at 7:25 PM

          I know the argument about that but since it is elective students will have the choice as to what language they want to learn instead of making in mandatory Mandarin Chinese. We should at least try to grab every opportunity because not all students find Mandarin as an easy language to learn.

          Secondly even if China is the Industrial Giant of today it is still in our best interest to foster good trade relations with other countries because look at today regarding the problem of territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, the Chinese are willing to sabotage our trade exports, so it is better to look for other countries as another source of trade income.

          Instead of depending solely in China, we must take the initiative to improve and foster relations with Hispanic countries since one common denominator is that we were once subjects of Spain so culturally we are distant cousins to them.

        • Victin luz says

          July 7, 2012 at 2:27 AM

          [email protected] I must agree with you,Spanish subject/language must not be forgotten but so as mandarin Chinese language…it should be teach in HS for us to be more alert and educated in dealings with our Chinese businessmen .

          Para Hindi tayo magugulangan @Dave in any circumstances if we know their dialect .

      • pinay710 says

        July 9, 2012 at 1:49 AM

        @daveofbacolod: i did not say USELESS. i only emphasis that instead of spanish more english. i also used some of my basic spanish knowledge while working with mexicans and they cannot sell me or hide from me. in my humble opinion and observations english is more important than spanish.

« Older Comments
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist Then they came fof the Trade Unionists, and I did not out speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me— And there was no one left to speak for me. —Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)

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