Justices’ insolence and indolence

In his column on “Diokno, Salonga and Teehankee” (4/29/18), former chief justice Artemio Panganiban wrote about the Supreme Court’s inordinate delay in resolving cases — beyond the two years prescribed by the Constitution.

He also noted that even Estelito Mendoza has complained about cases becoming “moot for practical purposes” due to the high court’s miserable failure to decide on them.

To be sure, countless citizens have expressed repeatedly their frustration over how Supreme Court justices take their sweet time in deciding cases.

Alas, all that really matters to those “supremes” is their own convenience, never mind what the Constitution says.

Most of them have only a few years to go before reaching 70 and seem to be just sitting it out — expecting tens of millions of pesos in very generous retirement benefits they have appropriated for themselves.

If the high court justices cannot be bothered by such complaints coming from Panganiban and Mendoza, what will it take to make them work their butts off as they promised when they applied for the job?

President Duterte should not only target Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno for her insolence, but all the other justices for their indolence.

Didn’t he say he hates public servants who delay delivery of public service? We would like to see our President fight for principles, not just against personalities.

CARMELA N. NOBLEJAS, [email protected]