‘Magnificent 8 earns place in history’ - Malaya 10.26.2006
BY DENNIS GADIL
THE opposition to People’s Initiative yesterday hailed the Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law by junking the Palace-backed people’s initiative petition.
"The admirable and impressive sense of independence shown by these justices in the face of the brazen-face pressures applied by powerful self-serving politicians not only restores the people’s faith on the rule of law but also reinforces public confidence on our democratic system and its institutions," Sen. Franklin Drilon said.
"This decision will certainly increase the people’s trust in the Supreme Court as the final arbiter of sensitive issues that divide the people," he added.
Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said the ruling would dampen attempts to provide a resolution to political controversies through unconstitutional means such as military adventurism.
Sen. Edgardo Angara said the SC has shown once again that it can rise to the occasion and prove itself an independent and objective institution.
"Their decision has put to rest a huge political uncertainty," he said.
Sen. Richard Gordon said the High Court did the right thing.
"Although the people have been given by the Constitution the power to directly propose amendments to the Constitution, the dubious way by which the present people’s initiative was orchestrated, largely through the barangay assemblies, is indeed very disturbing," Gordon said.
Sen. Joker Arroyo said the Supreme Court again demonstrated that in times of grave constitutional issues, it will respond with dispatch and judicial statesmanship, independence, integrity and erudition.
Sen. Mar Roxas said the defeat of a flawed and questionable people’s initiative is also a victory for the system of checks and balance.
"It clears the way for the government to shift its attention to the people’s business and for all sectors to unite behind a more focused social reform agenda," he said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the Supreme Court has earned the respect of the people.
"I salute the eight justices who, despite all odds and overwhelming outside pressure, voted against the petition, particularly those appointed by Mrs. Arroyo, namely Justices Antonio Carpio, Adolfo Azcuna, Alicia Martinez, and Romeo Callejo Sr., for listening to the true voice of the people," Lacson said.
He said the decision only proved that the tainted and fraudulent manner of collecting signatures for the so-called people’s initiative would never bear good fruit."
"Nevertheless, the waste of government time and taxpayers’ money in pushing the false people’s initiative remains a distasteful and condemnable act," Lacson said.
Minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the Supreme Court has again demonstrated the highest sense of judicial responsibility.
"The Supreme Court has clinched the victory of the people over the blatantly evil President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, ULAP and Sigaw ng Bayan assault on the rule of law and constitutional order," he said.
OPPOSITION VINDICATED
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, president of the United Opposition, said the SC ruling vindicated their stand on the controversial issue that polarized the nation.
"We of course welcome the decision. The Supreme Court has shown judicial wisdom in coming up with the decision. They have decided on the basis of the legal issues that were presented and the factual reasons were also taken into consideration, primarily that the signature campaign was defective," he said.
Binay, however, warned that the decision does not mean total victory for the opposition as the next battleground would be the House where charter change proponents led by Speaker Jose de Venecia have been floating the idea of a constituent assembly if the people’s initiative is junked.
House minority leader Francis Escudero hailed the justices for resisting pressures and deciding based on the law and the best interest of the Filipinos.
Escudero, secretary general of the United Opposition, said the ruling "has renewed and strengthened my faith in the judiciary and our judicial system."
Deputy minority leader, Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (NP, Taguig-Pateros) said the SC "only proved that it is the last bastion of democracy."
‘ACT OF HEROISM’
Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros called the eight justices who voted against the initiative as the "Magnificent 8." "They saved Philippine democracy, an act of heroism for which they will forever be remembered," she said.
Rep. Roilo Golez (Ind., Parañaque) said that once again, "albeit by the slimmest of margin, the SC chose the path of righteousness, justice, rule of law by junking the fake people’s initiative petition."
"Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and his magnificent colleagues have secured their place in history. They now belong to the pantheon of the country’s demigods of democracy," he said.
Golez said it is time for Cha-cha proponents to throw in the towel. "The brains and exponents and spokespersons of the fake people’s initiative should apologize to nation, or reap the people’s wrath," he said.
One Voice, the civil society group which strongly opposed the petition, said the decision show the tribunal can resist political pressure.
"Not only the Chief Justice but also the other justices who voted against the petition have shown that the rule of law is superior to political pressure in this country," said One Voice legal counsel Carlos Medina.
NO MORE HINDRANCE
Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said he hopes that with the SC decision, the poll body as well as the public can now focus on the May 2007 elections.
"At least, I hope this will put an end to talks on Cha-cha (charter change) issue. Derecho na punta ngayon sa local elections," he said.
He, however, acknowledged that the issue on charter change will always be "in the air."
"Pero at least ngayon patay na ang isyu ng PI so ang Comelec focused na talaga sa elections," he said.
"Wala na talaga makakapigil pa sa elections. With or without Cha-cha tuloy ang elections," he said.
Archbishop Oscar Cruz said the decision was a big win for truth and justice and prevented a big "socio-political" problem from escalating.
"Mabuhay ang Supreme Court," the prelate said in a text message. – With JP Lopez, Ashzel Hachero and Gerard Anthony Naval
THE opposition to People’s Initiative yesterday hailed the Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law by junking the Palace-backed people’s initiative petition.
"The admirable and impressive sense of independence shown by these justices in the face of the brazen-face pressures applied by powerful self-serving politicians not only restores the people’s faith on the rule of law but also reinforces public confidence on our democratic system and its institutions," Sen. Franklin Drilon said.
"This decision will certainly increase the people’s trust in the Supreme Court as the final arbiter of sensitive issues that divide the people," he added.
Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said the ruling would dampen attempts to provide a resolution to political controversies through unconstitutional means such as military adventurism.
Sen. Edgardo Angara said the SC has shown once again that it can rise to the occasion and prove itself an independent and objective institution.
"Their decision has put to rest a huge political uncertainty," he said.
Sen. Richard Gordon said the High Court did the right thing.
"Although the people have been given by the Constitution the power to directly propose amendments to the Constitution, the dubious way by which the present people’s initiative was orchestrated, largely through the barangay assemblies, is indeed very disturbing," Gordon said.
Sen. Joker Arroyo said the Supreme Court again demonstrated that in times of grave constitutional issues, it will respond with dispatch and judicial statesmanship, independence, integrity and erudition.
Sen. Mar Roxas said the defeat of a flawed and questionable people’s initiative is also a victory for the system of checks and balance.
"It clears the way for the government to shift its attention to the people’s business and for all sectors to unite behind a more focused social reform agenda," he said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the Supreme Court has earned the respect of the people.
"I salute the eight justices who, despite all odds and overwhelming outside pressure, voted against the petition, particularly those appointed by Mrs. Arroyo, namely Justices Antonio Carpio, Adolfo Azcuna, Alicia Martinez, and Romeo Callejo Sr., for listening to the true voice of the people," Lacson said.
He said the decision only proved that the tainted and fraudulent manner of collecting signatures for the so-called people’s initiative would never bear good fruit."
"Nevertheless, the waste of government time and taxpayers’ money in pushing the false people’s initiative remains a distasteful and condemnable act," Lacson said.
Minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the Supreme Court has again demonstrated the highest sense of judicial responsibility.
"The Supreme Court has clinched the victory of the people over the blatantly evil President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, ULAP and Sigaw ng Bayan assault on the rule of law and constitutional order," he said.
OPPOSITION VINDICATED
Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, president of the United Opposition, said the SC ruling vindicated their stand on the controversial issue that polarized the nation.
"We of course welcome the decision. The Supreme Court has shown judicial wisdom in coming up with the decision. They have decided on the basis of the legal issues that were presented and the factual reasons were also taken into consideration, primarily that the signature campaign was defective," he said.
Binay, however, warned that the decision does not mean total victory for the opposition as the next battleground would be the House where charter change proponents led by Speaker Jose de Venecia have been floating the idea of a constituent assembly if the people’s initiative is junked.
House minority leader Francis Escudero hailed the justices for resisting pressures and deciding based on the law and the best interest of the Filipinos.
Escudero, secretary general of the United Opposition, said the ruling "has renewed and strengthened my faith in the judiciary and our judicial system."
Deputy minority leader, Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (NP, Taguig-Pateros) said the SC "only proved that it is the last bastion of democracy."
‘ACT OF HEROISM’
Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros called the eight justices who voted against the initiative as the "Magnificent 8." "They saved Philippine democracy, an act of heroism for which they will forever be remembered," she said.
Rep. Roilo Golez (Ind., Parañaque) said that once again, "albeit by the slimmest of margin, the SC chose the path of righteousness, justice, rule of law by junking the fake people’s initiative petition."
"Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban and his magnificent colleagues have secured their place in history. They now belong to the pantheon of the country’s demigods of democracy," he said.
Golez said it is time for Cha-cha proponents to throw in the towel. "The brains and exponents and spokespersons of the fake people’s initiative should apologize to nation, or reap the people’s wrath," he said.
One Voice, the civil society group which strongly opposed the petition, said the decision show the tribunal can resist political pressure.
"Not only the Chief Justice but also the other justices who voted against the petition have shown that the rule of law is superior to political pressure in this country," said One Voice legal counsel Carlos Medina.
NO MORE HINDRANCE
Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said he hopes that with the SC decision, the poll body as well as the public can now focus on the May 2007 elections.
"At least, I hope this will put an end to talks on Cha-cha (charter change) issue. Derecho na punta ngayon sa local elections," he said.
He, however, acknowledged that the issue on charter change will always be "in the air."
"Pero at least ngayon patay na ang isyu ng PI so ang Comelec focused na talaga sa elections," he said.
"Wala na talaga makakapigil pa sa elections. With or without Cha-cha tuloy ang elections," he said.
Archbishop Oscar Cruz said the decision was a big win for truth and justice and prevented a big "socio-political" problem from escalating.
"Mabuhay ang Supreme Court," the prelate said in a text message. – With JP Lopez, Ashzel Hachero and Gerard Anthony Naval
posted by brodkaster43 at Huwebes, Oktubre 26, 2006
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