Pushing matters to breaking point

WHEN JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima decided not to honor the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court, I was one of those who cheered the boldness of her action. I know it was crossing the line and it was putting the law into her hands, but I strongly felt that it was called for.

But to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona for just doing his job? It is pushing matters to a breaking point. Not to mention the super speed of the impeachment process, which just showed that the move was purely political and grossly malicious.

I’m sure the majority of the Filipinos agree with the House of Representatives on this issue, but that doesn’t mean the House did right. Numbers don’t determine what is right and just. I don’t agree that Corona has to stay in office, he should have stepped down from his post. But to impeach him for deciding cases on their merits betrays the lawmakers’ arrogance—and lack of understanding of the real nature of our democratic system.

It may be good for now that such abuse of power would most likely be favorable to the Filipinos. But the end can never justify the means. The House and Malacañang have just set a precedent that opened the door to a dangerous path leading to a future that I cannot even begin to imagine.

There is an obvious reason why the Supreme Court only decides on the merits of the case. When it doesn’t favor us, it does not give us the right to gang up and bully its head who is just doing his job.

—CHURCHILL G. AGUILAR,

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