Resignation of 10 SC justices sought for ruling vs Truth body

Former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel on Monday led a group of so-called Truth Advocates into demanding the resignation of the 10 Supreme Court justices who voted to declare as unconstitutional a presidential fiat that created the Truth Commission. The Truth body would have investigated corruption scandals and cheating allegations that hounded the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. President Benigno Aquino III had named former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as head of the commission. In its decision issued on Dec. 7, the high court said EO1 "violates the equal protection clause of the Constitution" for focusing on the previous Arroyo administration. Malacañang said it will appeal the decision. In the letter they sent to the high court, Hontiveros said: "We are appealing to your consciences and on what is left of your honor and dignity to voluntarily resign as justices of the Supreme Court to avoid the rigors of subjecting our nation in an unnecessary constitutional crisis and spare the public from possible political and economic costs of this upheaval." The other signatories to the letter were Akbayan party vice president Machris Cabreros, Akbayan first nominee Francis Isaac, Emmanuel Hizon of Bukluran sa Ikauunlad ng Sosyalistang Isip at Gawa, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines secretary general Gibby Gorres, and Akbayan Youth chair Lisandro Claudio. As of posting time, GMANews.TV was still trying to reach Supreme Court spokesman and administrator Jose Midas Marquez for his comment. 10-5 vote The Supreme Court justices who ruled that President Aquino's Executive Order No. 1 was unconstitutional were: Chief Justice Renato Corona, Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion, Presbitero Velasco, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Martin Villarama, Jose Perez, and Jose Mendoza. All are Arroyo appointees.

The justices who voted to junk President Aquino's Executive Order 1. SC

Those who dissented were Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Conchita Carpio-Morales, Eduardo Nachura, Roberto Abad, and Ma. Lourdes Sereno. All are Arroyo appointees, except for Sereno. The Supreme Court 10 In their letter filed with the high court, Hontiveros and her group said the 10 justices "failed the Filipino people" and "betrayed public trust" in handing down their votes. They likewise said the magistrates failed to meet the constitutionally-imposed qualities of "competence, integrity, probity, and independence" "As a result of your decision to strike down the Truth Commission tasked to shed light on the colossal anomalies committed under the previous administration, you have failed to meet and maintain these qualifications and the qualities expected of you to possess, and have instead chosen to become instruments of impunity," they said. "The Filipino people no longer see the independence of the Supreme Court with you as part of it, as you have acted in this institution politically-motivated," they added. — RSJ, GMANews.TV