The TRO

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea
 

The TRO

Due to paramount public interest, the Lower House prompted to elevate the impeachment of SC Chief Justice Renato Corona to the Senate. This transformed the issue into a crisis. The unwanted event is said to have emanated from the SC’s decision on the Hacienda Luisita case.

Thus, the impeachment and Pinoy saw to it that congressmen who cooperated are rewarded. But CJ Corona’s refusal to be intimidated by impeachment has contributed a lot to the mess. So did the courts and lawyers who fed on one another’s antagonistic ideas which helped stroke the intensity of the issue into a government crisis.

The media waded into areas of private behavior but it is more on enthusiasm than embarrassment. The Lower House of Congress, however, did not. The members’ aggressive tactics guaranteed a high level of hostility and Corona’s supporters are worried of Malacanang’s strategy.

That is argumentum ad populum- an argument aimed to sway popular support by appealing to public sentiment-weakness rather than facts and reasons. Thus, more supporters of Pres. Pinoy are coming out to shout impeachment rather than refrain and this is seen to snowball before the hearing.

True, because the Supreme Court kept on promising good future with bad records of the past. Former CJ Hilario Davide, Jr. was also implicated in corruption on overpriced purchase of the justices chairs worth P250,000 each. And almost all of the SC projects were cornered by his son and daughter.

Also former CJ Artemio Panganiban who pompously said after the ouster of Pres Joseph Estrada that GMA becomes a president due to will of the above. My God, whom is he kidding? Evil it can only be! From Davide to Panganiban down to Corona, we heard nothing about the accounting of the Judiciary Fund and they were the only rich in a room full of paupers!

What compounded the problem is protecting a SC Associate Justice known as the Plagiarist-in-Robe. It was exposed by professors from the University of the Philippines. But when the issue came out, they threatened those lawyers of disbarment. Now those Justices must tolerate brave words to save face!

And here’s the conditional TRO issued by the eight SC Justices. It is conditional as there are still other requirements which were not satisfied. Foremost is the undertaking that should have been signed by CGMA that she will return to face the charges after her medical treatment abroad.

Worse, when CJ Corona got hold of that TRO, he ordered it immediate and executory. But how could it be when all requirements were not complied with? Praesumtio juris – a presumption of law? This is one in which the law thru CJ Corona assumes the existence of something until it is disproved. Yes, the TRO is conditional - all the requirements were not satisfied!

Well, as he is the top magistrate of the Supreme Court, it seems that nobody can correct him. In which case, Congress decided to give him the spanking that he deserves for being stupid. So the Impeachment- not corrective but punitive!

The public should know this as the one thing we all abhor is not a cheap shot. Every time we hope for deliverance of dedicated services, we ended up badly disillusioned. So, we are giving readers more information as tools for them to separate the chaff from the grains in this government!

 Look, this SC spokesman Midas Marquez has also a Midas touch in reverse. What he touched turned not into gold but smack for the Supreme Court. Where is that list of many lawyers who wanted to defend your boss? If none, liar you could only be!

If CJ Corona is feeling glued to his seat, the most logical solution to be drawn is for the good justices to throw that chair out of the window with him. Well, I hope to have made your day in this column, you ask for it. Unlike Dirty Harry and me who ask others to make our day!