The CJ’s new look

Meanies on social media have taken to comparing the new Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro to a native vegetable, wrinkled in appearance and particularly bitter.

Yesterday, however, photos of her outside the Supreme Court where she had just taken her oath of office showed an entirely new, or at least new-looking CJ. She was smiling broadly, her bright face complemented by a bouquet of colorful flowers in her arms. Like a beauty queen, in fact.

There’s no question so much has happened between Monday and the months before, when photos of her caught her dour-faced and frowning, looking in fact like she had just taken a large spoonful of the vegetable she’s been compared to. But there seems to be more behind her “new look” than just relief. There’s also the fact that, when she retires from government at the mandatory age of 70 in just two months or so, the perks of retirement for her will have escalated exponentially.

President Duterte says his choice of De Castro was based on “seniority” and nothing else. The most senior associate justice, Antonio Carpio, refused to stand for the CJ post, explaining that he had issued some critical comments regarding ousted CJ Maria Lourdes Sereno. This, even if, in the end, he voted against Sereno’s ouster through a quo warranto petition.

Apparently, no such qualms bothered the new Chief, even if she spoke out against Sereno during a House hearing, took part in the clearly unconstitutional ouster of Sereno, and then allowed herself to be included among the contenders for CJ.

Some have said that benefiting from moves one had initiated against a colleague seems the height of entitlement, an absence of delicadeza.

Theories abound about the real reason the President chose De Castro despite her short term. A look at her voting record in the Supreme Court, especially in the last two years, will reveal her consistent support for former President (and now House Speaker) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who appointed her to the tribunal; the Marcos family (in favor of burial for the late dictator in the Libingan ng mga Bayani); and certainly Duterte.

Will two months be enough for the De Castro-led Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, to decide on Bongbong Marcos’ electoral protest? That seems to be the most feasible explanation for her appointment. But De Castro still has a moment to prove her detractors wrong. At this point in her life and career, she owes nobody anything. She only owes herself a graceful exit from public life and a lasting legacy just by sitting on her hands.

For political commentators of whatever stripe and wherever they may be, Donald Trump is low-hanging fruit. His bizarre behavior, and his penchant for sounding out on matters of state via Twitter, make him an easy target. As far as media are concerned, Trump is the gift that keeps on giving.

Lately, the limelight has fallen on him once again for his bizarre reaction to the passing of Sen. John McCain, who had been his opponent in the race for the presidency. After Trump’s win, McCain continued to be a thorn on Trump’s side, providing stark contrast, just by his statesmanlike behavior and comportment, to The Donald’s rather messy demeanor and thinking.

On news of McCain’s passing, the White House lowered its flag at half-mast in tribute to the man. But just a day later, the flag was raised once more, in defiance of tradition that dictates the flag remains lowered until after the person is laid to rest.

Even worse, asked about his critic’s passing, Trump refused to call McCain, who had endured years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi during the Vietnam War, a “hero.” “He was a prisoner, that’s all I have to say,” Trump said. He refused to release an official statement on the senator’s life and death, content to just issue a tweet. And when badgered by the media to say something more about McCain, he merely folded his arms and put on a pouty face.

Of course, John McCain no longer needs any sweet accolades from Donald Trump. He might even have rejected them outright. Even in death, McCain has proven himself the bigger man.

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