People's Judgement

The Supreme Court statement described the recent barrage of words directed to it by President Noynoy Aquino as disturbing. In just a matter of days, Mr. Aquino scored a brace by spouting out scathing criticisms on Chief Justice Renato Corona. The president recited a litany enumerating the times the high court aced the executive; mainly ones that involved former President Gloria Arroyo. The most recent one was delivered right in front of Mr. Corona himself. The members of the judiciary were obviously upset and even considered walking out of the proceedings. Some observers have described this spat between the two co-equal branches of government as chilling.

For a time that seemed forever, Filipinos had to put up with the perverted menage a trois our government engaged in. It was a period where rogues and lowlifes in the three branches colluded with each other to screw the citizenry. Everyone danced to the same tune. Check and balance did not exist. It was rule of a mob not unlike the infamous Chicago Outfit. Those were bothersome and troubling times. Where was Midas Marquez or his masters amid all the lies and pillage and torment? How did the highest court react to the carnage? What did our esteemed magistrates do to arrest the bacchanalia of impunity? It is no surprise then that they are disturbed by the rebuke they are now getting from all sectors. While the rest of us shivered in the nine-year winter of Mrs. Arroyo's reign, her cabal feasted on steak and drank fine wine. Funny that they should feel the chill now that springtime has arrived.

After the end of Mrs. Arroyo's rule, Chief Justice Corona and his posse were given the benefit of the doubt. The ball was played onto their court. We did not ask for a compliant Supreme Court; one that bends over at the slightest come-on. All we ask is for them to be impartial. We have given the Arroyo-appointed justices enough time to prove they are not beholden to anyone; they have been found wanting. It is only right that they get criticized and castigated. As government officials they owe their lofty positions to the people and not to a scoundrel. The writing is on the wall! The people are ready to pass judgement on the judges.