This is the first time in Philippine history that a sitting President has publicly attacked a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court as legally wrong, says an SC justice. He aimed the gun but stopped short of pulling the trigger. “As far as I know, this is the first time in Philippine history that a sitting President has publicly attacked a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court as legally wrong. This is also the first time that a sitting President has publicly threatened to impeach the Justices for a judicial decision that does not jibe with his own legal conclusion. This is, moreover, the first time that a President, or anyone in a position of responsibility in government, has publicly argued that a mere provision of the Administrative Code prevails over a categorical command of the Constitution. Wonders never cease!” the magistrate said in an email reply. President Aquino is fast establishing a reputation as being the only President to have engaged the Supreme Court in successive head-on battles that could have permanent adverse effects on the independence of the judiciary. For exercising its power of judicial review, the Supreme Court, considered the weakest branch of government, was at the receiving end of Aquino’s televised tirade Monday, July 14.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 23:49:46 +0000
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