‘Quo vadis, Philippines?’

The news, “Several justices felt ‘deceived’ by 2-week leave, say SC insiders” (3/1/18), makes us wonder how supposedly brilliant minds in the Supreme Court could be so easily “deceived” by any sophistry or dishonesty Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno might have foisted upon them about the “leave” she intended to take in the face of the grim prospect of her being haled to the Senate impeachment court.

“What Sereno agreed [to] was for her to take an indefinite leave. There’s no expressed agreement until when it would be. It was an indefinite leave—whatever that means,” an insider was quoted as saying.  Was that leave only for the duration of the impeachment proceedings (as she readies herself for trial before the Senate impeachment court which, she expects, will acquit her) or for only two weeks for a “wellness” break?  Which was it?

“Several justices” were reported to have been incensed by Sereno’s play with words and attempt to make fools of them. They now want her out of their sight forever and would call for a full-court session to put things in black and white! The highest court of the land is in turmoil over such a simple matter of determining what the Chief Justice really meant.

Without any doubt, this “issue” is now the main thing occupying the minds of justices who seem to have dropped everything else they are supposed to be doing: deciding long-pending cases!  And come to think of it, how do they really decide those cases?  By flipping a coin—given how easily they get hopelessly confused by the question of whether or not Sereno’s “leave” was indefinite or only for two weeks?  OMG!

With the executive and legislative departments of this government already in shambles, and now the judiciary, quo vadis, Philippines?

MARIA MARGARITA AYTONA, [email protected]