Hmm…
“With 38 candidates now nominated for chief justice of the Supreme Court, shooting buddies should be the last to be considered, if ever.” Thus said Antonio Montalvan II in his June 18 column. I agree. With this thought, Montalvan reminded readers of “delicadeza,” which we Filipinos value as a cultural trait.
Delicadeza is not mentioned among the qualifications of a chief justice. The Constitution itself only speaks of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence. Yet the lack of delicadeza led to the ultimate downfall of Chief Justice Renato Corona. How soon will we forget the important role delicadeza should play when one considers whether or not to accept a government position?
Will President Aquino look for this rare virtue also in himself when he deliberates on whom to appoint among the “final” candidates for chief justice? Paraphrasing Montalvan: Now is the chance for P-Noy to show how firmly he stands by his “Daang matuwid” rule of conduct. After all, “[v]alues are superior to presidential prerogatives.”
—DETTE PASCUAL,
dpascual357@yahoo.com.ph