SC justices should stand united in regaining their independence

To celebrate the Supreme Court’s 120th anniversary, the justices donated 18 tons of vegetables to 16 community pantries in Metro Manila. This humanitarian gesture is truly laudable. It shows that the lofty gods on the peaks of Mount Padre Faura empathize with and care for the impoverished multitudes on the plains.

With the same sense of patriotism and freedom on Independence Day on June 12, I hope the Court, during its en banc session on Tuesday, June 15, will express not just conformity to, but unity and unanimity with, my humble suggestion to pulverize the quo warranto sword hanging above the heads of the current and future justices.

If the members of the House of Representatives committee on justice can be, as they were, unanimous and united in thrashing the improvident impeachment complaint lodged against Justice Marvic M. V. Leonen, so can and should the justices be in regaining fully their constitutionally-granted independence.

ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN
Retired Chief Justice
chiefjusticepanganiban@hotmail.com