Content about Supreme Court

MANILA, Philippines - Feeling the heat after the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona, two justices Supreme Court (SC) who were appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are reportedly contemplating of early retirement even if their term at the highest court go beyond that of Philippine President Benigno C. Aquino III, according to three separate sources of the Philippine Star.

The Philippine Star, however, is withholding the names of the two magistrates and the circumstances under which they would be retiring early by way of resignation.

MANILA, Dec. 17, 2011—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle has urged the faithful to spend the days leading to Christmas as occasions to deepen one’s prayer life and worship of God.

He called on the congregation to “recover this sense of worship [and] resting in God, for us to relish the salvation that comes to us in Jesus.”

“We are asked during these days and on Christmas Day to be a worshipping people, to pray, to rest in God,” he said in his homily during a Mass he celebrated at the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

MANILA, Philippines (Dec 12, 2011) - With swiftness that suprised many including the senators, congressmen-allies of President Aquino moved yesterday to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona for alleged betrayal of public trust, violation of the Constitution, and graft and corruption.

In a dizzying turn of events, 188 congressmen – almost twice the minimum 95 signatures required for trransmittal to the Senate -  signed an impeachment complaint drafted by the committee on justice, leveling eight charges against Corona.

QUEZON CITY , Philippines (Dec 13, 2011) - Broadcast giant GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) to review the P100 million civil damages case lodged against ABS-CBN Corp. after the Court of Appeals (CA) upheld its ruling dismissing the same in a decision dated August 15, 2011.

The Network filed the complaint seeking damages against the Lopez-owned station on November 10, 2005 based the latter’s malicious statements which were intended to cast discredit and dishonor to GMA on live nationwide broadcast.

ANTIPOLO City, Dec. 13, 2011—While it voted “yes” for the Chief Magistrate’s impeachment complaint, Kabataan partylist forewarned his fellow legislators not to make the Impeachment Tribunal against Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona to be an “Aquino court.”

“The blind support of Chief Justice Renato Corona to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and by extension to the crimes of the latter against the people warrants an impeachment case on the basis of betrayal of public trust. But I stress my vote for Corona’s impeachment with a caveat against Palace machinations to establish an Aquino court,” said Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino in a statement sent to media.

President Aquinos’ continued tirades against our Supreme Court have hugged the headlines anew with the latest at the 1^st National Criminal Justice Summit on Dec.5. But the president for his part has yet to report to his Boss his own responsibility for “executive justice.”

The administration of justice is not the exclusive domain of the courts. In fact, it is equally the job of the executive branch of our government. And if the president laments delayed justice, he might want to look first at his own executive agencies.

MANILA, Philippines (Dec 7, 2011) – President Benigno C, Aquino III rallies the support of  his partymates in the Liberal Party (LP) for lasting government reforms for the sake of the future generation.

At the LP Christmas party Monday night, the president urged his partymates to seize the opportunity to institute reforms in the country as they continue to enjoy the support of the people.

Aquino said he is effecting changes not for himself but for future generations as he reminded partymates that they must fulfill the promises they made to the people during the election campaign.

MANILA, Philippines – With the confidence of a leader with solid popular support, President Benigno Aquino III minced no words as he poured his sentiments on the judiciary right in front of Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona during the 1stNational Criminal Justice Summit at Manila Hotel today.

Aquino started his speech on the belief that the Corona was illegally appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, implying that the SC chief was a “midnight appointee” of his predecessor.

ANTIPOLO City, Dec. 3, 2011—Migrante International and its affiliates had begun the five o’clock habit or series of vigils and protest actions as the death of the 35 year old Filipino, sentenced to death due to drug-related offense, is getting nearer.

The unidentified Filipino in death row is said to be scheduled for execution on December 8, in an undisclosed place and time. The said OFW [overseas Filipino worker] was allegedly caught with more than 4 kilos of heroin and was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court of China. However, news reports said, the Filipino is still unaware that his life would be taken away on December 8.

Once again, our Nation is apparently in a dilemma on how a former president, now Gloria Arroyo, accused of a crime and arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant should be treated. Or simply put, where should she be detained pending judicial proceedings?

President Aquino was certainly right in dodging the question by stating that such matter is within the jurisdiction or power of the court that issued the warrant of arrest. His government’s job is to prosecute the case, that is, to present evidence to show guilt beyond reasonable doubt...

SAN PABLO City, Nov. 27, 2011—A priest from the Prelature of Infanta, Quezon joined a group of coconut farmers and various farmers’ coalition in demanding the recovery of the Coco Levy Funds which rightfully belong to the poor coconut farmers.

Fr. Jojo A. Eranista, 63, who is ministering the poor tribal settlers in Quezon told this writer that he and his tribal group joined coconut farmers' march from Lucena City (Quezon) to Manila hoping that the poor coconut farmers would finally be given the (coco levy) funds for the rehabilitation of the coconut industry and improvement of the plight of the poor...

MANILA, Nov. 25, 2011— Now that the Supreme Court has spoken, Catholic Church officials called on President Benigno Aquino III to ensure the distribution of Hacienda Luisita to the farmers and provide them with support services.

Fr. Edu Gariguez of the National Secretariat for Social Action— Justice and Peace (Nassa) said he is certain Aquino’s clan, which owns the vast sugar plantation, will make moves to block the land distribution...