SC rules Truth Commission unconstitutional
MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - In another blow to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s administration, the Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional the much trumpeted Truth Commission.
Voting 10-5, the Supreme Court ruling effectively bars the prosecution of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other officials and parties involved in alleged scandals under the previous administration.
In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, SC Public Information Office acting chief Maria Victoria Gleoresty Guerra confirmed the SC ruling.
The justices who ruled that Executive Order 1 (EO 1) creating the Truth Commission is unconstitutional are:
- Chief Justice Renato Corona
- Teresita Leonardo-de Castro
- Arturo Brion
- Presbitero Velasco
- Diosdado Peralta
- Lucas Bersamin
- Mariano del Castillo
- Martin Villarama
- Jose Perez
- Jose Mendoza (ponente)
"The majority, among others, held that EO 1 [Executive Order 1] violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution in as much as it singles out for investigation the reports of graft and corruption in the previous administration," she said.
The 5 who dissented are:
- Associate Justices Antonio Nachura
- Antonio Carpio
- Conchita Carpio Morales
- Maria Lourdes Sereno
- Robert Abad.
INFOGRAPHIC: Truth Commission: How the Supreme Court justices voted
The high court apparently gave credence to the petition of minority lawmakers led by Rep. Edcel Lagman, who sought to have the executive fiat that created the Truth Commission quashed.
The commission, tasked to investigate the anomalies during the 9-year term of Mrs. Arroyo, was created with too much power that it has already stepped on the rights of constitutionally-created bodies, they had said.
The commission, headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr., has already actually convened. It has not started investigations, however, absent a ruling from the high court.
This decision comes in a string of setbacks for the Aquino administration.
In September, the high court halted the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. The proceedings were heavily backed by Aquino allies.
In October, finally, Aquino voiced out his dismay over the resolution after the high court issued another halt order involving another executive order.
The high court issued a status quo order in connection with the motion of Bai Omera Dianalan-Lucman, 1 of 4 who filed a petition questioning the constitutionality of Executive Order No. 2.
The order revoked the so-called midnight appointments done by the previous administration.
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SC (SUPER CORRUPT)
Arroyo corruption and many more.........
1. NBN? ZTE Scandal
2. Millions of bribe money to Congressmen and Governors (October 2007)
3. Cheating in 2004 Elections (Hello Garci)
4. Joc Joc Bolante Case (Fertilizer Scam, P728 Million)
5. Jose Pidal Bank Account (Unexplained Wealth, P200 Million)
6. Nani Perez Power Plant Deal ($2 Million)
7. Use of Road User's Tax for Campaigning
8. Billion Peso Macapagal Boulevard (Overprice of P532 Million)
9. Juetengate? (Illegal Numbers game kickbacks)
10. Extra Judicial Killings
11. Arroyo Moneys in Germany (Exposed by Senator Cayetano)
12. General Garcia and Other Military Men
13. Billion Peso Poll Automation contract (P1.3 Billion)
14. Northrail Project($503 Million)
15. Maguindanao Results of 2007 Elections (Zubiri, Bedol)
16. NAIA-3
17. Venable Contract (Norberto Gonzales)
18. Swine Scam (Exposed by? Atty. Harry Roque
19. GLORIA Arroyo son hidden assets in united states
20.EURO GENERAL'S
21.CALAMITY FUND SCANDAL.
22.the C-5 road controversy — Senator Manuel Villar
Why 'Truth Commission'
The VERY REASON why Truth Commission is created because of the INABILITY of the Office of the Ombudsman to look after those high PROFILE THIEVES in our Government.
They might be bragging about mayor's or barangay kagawad's they prosecute for various offenses, of course those complaints where lodge by mayor's or barangay kagawad's political rivals.
OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN IS NOTHING but liability... imagine money being consumed by this agency and what have they done?
Sometimes I wonder if Noynoy
Sometimes I wonder if Noynoy and team are really that stupid to think they can get an unconstitutional Truth Commission running or, these are merely delaying tactics designed to show the people they are doing something but in reality is a losing battle.
democracy
So many Filipinos do not fully comprehend a democratic system of government. It is not perfect, yet the decision of the Supreme Court must be respected
regardless of any opinion. If you accuse the Supreme Court of a conspiracy,being politically motivated, biased, and corrupted then your opinion means nothing.
The Supreme Court is the last resort and will have the final say. Not even the President of the Philippines can reverse the Supreme Court decision. In hindsight, it was totally immature for a president to have stated that he has no respect of the Supreme Court in the first place.
decisions
as far as I can remember, the Philippines has only one Constitution, one set of Laws. I wonder why the Supreme Court does not have a unanimous decision.
is the vote politically motivated?
are the laws subjective?
keeps you wondering...!!!
Being an appointing authority
Being an appointing authority with so many questionable and impeachable actions while in power, the Supreme Court had become a place where Arroyo can protect herself from criminal and civil actions.
Many will say that process of appointments starts with JBC. But then again, it is the President who will make the appointment. Thus, a President believed to have corrupted her position will also corrupt the Supreme Court.
Thus, can we impeach the Supreme Court justices because of their questionable decisions?
Impeachment of the Ombudsman. Supreme Court stop it. Ombudsman is being investigated for its lack of response to the many corruptions perpetrated by the Arroyo administration.
Truth Commission. Tasked to investigate the Arroyo Administration crimes was declared UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
How can we investigate the crimes of the previous administration if the OMBUDSMAN had shown little and no response on it? And now Supreme Court is insulting us with their so called UNCONSTITUTIONAL decision when everything we speak of is about PUBLIC INTEREST. When did PUBLIC INTEREST becomes UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
It is time we impeach the Supreme Court justices. It is time we know what is hiding behind their benches.
IMPEACH!!!
The truth and nothing but the truth
"The majority, among others, held that EO 1 [Executive Order 1] violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution in as much as it singles out for investigation the reports of graft and corruption in the previous administration,"
Is this in reference to the equal protection clause of a Constitution that endeavors first and foremost to serve the welfare of Filipinos?
Why should the interest of the Filipino people be subject to limitations? That interpretation of the Constitution is clearly one-sided in favor of the previous administration.
Clearly, the Supreme Court is politicized. It decided in favor of politicians from the previous administration over the rights of Filipinos who were aggrieved.
This Supreme Court will perpetuate the "palakasan system" and will never serve the people.
This will test what kind of resolve Pnoys administration has in correcting the wrongs of the past administration.
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we need a liquidation squad
we need a liquidation squad as the shortest and the fastest way to clean the current corrupt sc justices under corona.
SC SUPPRESSION OF TRUTH
What can people expect of these corrupt justices suppressing the truth about the heinous crimes committed by Mrs. Arroyo and gang, under the cloak of legality and constitutionality.
based on the constitution
The truth commission was originally ill conceived as a witch hunting commission. It is just a waste of time and money. If there is really enough evidence of graft and corruption against Gloria then let someone present the evidence in our judicial system. A truth commission is traditionally created when there is a genocide or similar incident. The president thought that he could outwit the Supreme Court. Supreme Court decided based on the constitution and whether its decision is favorable to you or not, it should be respected. There is no need to create conspiracy theories.