Now that impeachment proceedings have begun against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, PNoy’s detractors are now saying that he will place his own Chief Justice should Corona be successfully ousted. They ominously warn that PNoy will be establishing an Aquino court which will be no different than an Arroyo court.
There’s really nothing wrong with PNoy appointing his own justices. That is the prerogative of every sitting President. It makes governing easier. It becomes wrong under the following circumstances:
1. When the appointed justices are “midnight appointees.”
2. When the justices favor a person over the Constitution.
3. If PNoy commits a crime and expects the justices to get him off the hook.
4. When the Chief Justice begins carrying an umbrella over a relative (perhaps a wife?) of the President.
Now, PNoy’s detractors are calling him a despot and hungry for power.
A despot? Has he:
1. Dissolved Congress and the Supreme Court?
2. Closed down media establishments?
3. Imprisoned media personalities and his critics?
4. Had people kidnapped or killed?
5. Cheated massively in the elections?
6. Declared martial law?
I’m not a PNoy fan, but he is the President. Thus, as a Filipino I’ll continue to give him the benefit of the doubt and support his governance as best as I can.
If somehow he turns out to be a criminal or despot or both, then he should taste the same medicine as his government is giving Gloria Arroyo and Renato Corona.
