Bishops, group call for vigilance in Arroyo’s choice of new Chief Justice

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled in her favor, Filipinos must be vigilant on who President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will appoint as the next Chief Justice, senior Catholic bishops and a militant group said Thursday. Tagbilaran (Bohol) Bishop Leonardo Medroso and Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. urged the people to remain vigilant and pray that the successor of Puno, who is retiring on May 17, will be selected based on competence. “(I hope) that influence and debt of gratitude will not be some considerations in appointing the next Chief Justice," Medroso said in an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas, excerpts of which were posted Thursday on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news site. “We also have to look into the motive behind the move for President Arroyo to appoint the new Chief Justice," added Iñiguez, who heads the CBCP public affairs unit. For its part, militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) called on people to prevent the likely abuse of power by Mrs. Arroyo. "It is up to the people now to prevent the likely abuse of this power. It is up to the people now to muster the strength to oppose maneuvers that will allow Mrs. Arroyo to stay in power with the help of the military and judiciary," it said in a statement on its website. "We call on the different political parties engaged in the elections to raise their vigilance over the possibility of a failure of elections and commit to mobilizing people to thwart this dastardly scheme," it added. Bayan said the high court's decision raises the most serious concern yet over the outcome of the May 10 elections and the so-called “peaceful transfer of power" that Mrs. Arroyo committed. It said the decision comes despite the massive opposition of the legal community to Mrs. Arroyo’s appointing of the next Chief Justice. Arroyo told: Make responsible choice Medroso called on President Arroyo to make a responsible choice, saying there should be no other consideration in picking the next Chief Justice but “for the good of the justice system and the Filipino people." He also urged the faithful to respect the Supreme Court's decision and pray. “We should respect the Supreme Court decision and we should pray," he added. On the other hand, Bayan said Arroyo could still make the ethical and selfless decision of not appointing a chief justice before her term ends. "The SC may have decided but the final call will be with Mrs. Arroyo, whether she appoints or not. The right decision would be for her not to use and abuse the power to appoint. She should grow a conscience and spare the people further suffering and anxiety," Bayan said, Respect SC decision For its part, a lawyers’ group urged the public to respect the high court’s decision allowing Arroyo to choose the next Chief Justice. Radio dzBB reported that the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said the public must now move on and focus on clean and honest elections in May. In a decision on Wednesday, the high court allowed Arroyo to appoint the next Chief Justice, amid legal questions on whether she can pick a successor to Reynato Puno. [See: Supreme Court allows Arroyo to appoint next chief justice] In a special meeting, nine justices—Lucas Bersamin, Jose Perez, Roberto Abad, Martin Villarama, Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Arturo Brion, Jose Mendoza, Mariano del Castillo, and Diosdado Peralta—voted in favor of Mrs. Arroyo’s appointment of the next chief justice. Only Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales gave a vote of dissent, while magistrates Eduardo Nachura and Presbitero Velasco Jr. said the case was premature. Puno, Antonio Carpio, and Renato Corona inhibited themselves from voting. Carpio—the most senior magistrate—and Corona are the strongest contenders for the top judicial post. Citizens’ groups and legal experts groups have expressed concern that Mrs. Arroyo would be able to tighten her hold on the high court if she is allowed to appoint the next chief justice before she bows out as President on June 30. The 1987 Constitution’s Article VII Sec. 15 bars the president from making appointments 60 days before an election and until his or term expires. Puno will retire on May 17, or seven days after the May 10 polls. Some groups insisting Mrs. Arroyo cannot appoint the next Chief Justice vowed to appeal the decision. — LBG, GMANews.TV