Book bares SC justice's alleged politicking for son
MANILA, Philippines - The rules of the Supreme Court prohibit justices from engaging in partisan politics.
But in the book "Shadow of Doubt," written by veteran journalist Marites Vitug, associate justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. is alleged to be helping his son Lord Allan in his campaign for Congress in Marinduque.
| SC justice in partisan politics? By Marites Vitug, Newsbreak How far can a father help a son win an election race—if he happens to be a justice of the Supreme Court? Not that far, if judicial ethics were to be followed. The case of Marinduque bears close watching as Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. navigates an ethical minefield. His son, Lord Allan Velasco, is running for the province’s lone seat in Congress, against Edmundo Reyes Jr., scion of a political family.
Justice Velasco is shaping up to be a key figure in his son’s uphill battle—but he denies this. MORE
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The book says Velasco has been active in enlisting local politicians to support his son's candidacy, something that the justice denies.
"I know that government officials cannot engage in partisan political activity, which is why I refrain from activities which may be construed as such," Velasco says.
But it's not just Velasco.
The propriety of the actions of other justices are questioned in the book, which examines the maneuverings and politics behind many of the Supreme Court's decisions under the term of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Vitug believes that because of the sensitive revelations, powerful people are trying to prevent the book from being released.
This is supposedly why her original publisher, Anvil, has withdrawn from a deal to distribute the book.
In a text message to ABS-CBN, Anvil admitted backing out of the deal on the advice of its lawyers.
Chief Justice Reynato Puno says he wasn't aware of any effort to suppress the book.
But Vitug says the effort to block its publication has actually whetted the public's appetite for "Shadow of Doubt."
She says it would have been better if the people who want the book stopped had just ignored it instead of maneuvering to block its publication.
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Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court is a publication of Public Trust Media Group Inc. For more info, check http://www.shadowofdoubt.info/ and http://www.newsbreak.com.ph/.
To place orders, contact Newsbreak at tel. (+632) 920-0997, fax (+632) 920-3611, email admin@newsbreak.com.ph. Regular prices are P795 hardbound, P475 paperback.
Marites Vitug, the book’s author is the chairperson of Newsbreak, a content provider and editorial consultant of abs-cbnNEWS.com.
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Evil prevails than Good...
It only shows that evil prevail rather than good in phil. politics. I don't think that time of exposing all dirty tactics of politicians as well as the justices is connected to the upcoming election. The author himself just wanted to reveal what's behind the scenes of all these people we think protector of our rights. Tsk, tsk, tsk!!! They just don't believed that there is GOD who always watching us!
Doubtful
This will only further divide us and loose our faith to the only "trusted" institution in our country. What is the real purpose of this expose'? Isn't this election too heavy of a burden already for us that the book must come out during this time? For what? Another intrigue, for-your-information input or just a money-making
(Regular prices are P795 hardbound, P475 paperback) fairy tale book.
Will it cover the whole history of the institution or it's just about during GMA era? If yes, well, this is just another demolition job from ABSCBN to show that they can defy anybody in the spirit of freedom of the press and biased journalism.