Let’s heed season’s call: ‘Make straight the pathways’

I must confess that for the last few months I have been in political hibernation in snowy Oklahoma. But recent developments in Manila have served as an urgent wake-up call for me.

Our President is under attack.

President Aquino, who was elected by an overwhelming majority and even now enjoys the trust and approval of two-thirds of Filipinos, is being denounced for fulfilling his campaign promise to his “Boss”: Reform the major institutions of government.

Now that the Legislature has taken the lead and impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, P-Noy is accused by a number of partisans of myriad offenses—from impropriety to abuse of executive prerogative, to acts of  despotism, all because he expressed his personal disapproval of the Supreme Court.

The Legislature, Judiciary and Executive are co-equal branches of government, and there is no constitutional or ethical breach if one branch confronts and challenges the other, as historically they have done so.

Yet P-Noy is being charged by the opposition with attempting to debilitate the Supreme Court, deprive it of its legitimate authority, and make it subservient to his presidency.

To the contrary. It seems to me that P-Noy is trying to re-energize the Court, restore its integrity and reinforce the foundation for a truly just and impartial institution—a brave and transformative path to a strong and responsive democracy. The impeachment of the Chief Justice and his trial before the Senate can only strengthen and invigorate the Court.

If he is removed from office for cause, the Court will emerge as a reformed judicial body led by a new and more deserving magistrate. Or if the case against him is dismissed, then the Court will have survived a crisis of confidence and all doubts and misgivings about the Court will have been dispelled. No matter what the outcome may be, neither the Court nor the presidency will suffer any loss of power, prominence or prestige.

I applaud Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and the leaders of the House for their courage and good judgment.

Earlier the Chief Justice was quoted as saying, “It’s Christmas, let it be.”

I agree with him. This Christmas let us follow the exhortation of the season, “Make straight the pathways for the Lord.” In other words, isagawa ang daang matuwid.

—MARTIN D. BAUTISTA, MD,

martinb@ptsi.net