Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 56 views

    Corona Impeachment Pandora - S Jar

    Uploaded by

    Nikki Andrade
    The document discusses the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Philippines, Renato Corona, through an analogy to the Greek myth of Pandora's box. It notes that critics see the impeachment as an attack on judicial independence by the executive branch, while supporters view it as a matter of accountability. The author argues that the trial could potentially divide the country or strengthen the rule of law, and expresses hope that it proceeds with sobriety, fairness and the nation's best interests in mind.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Corona Impeachment Pandora - S Jar

    Uploaded by

    Nikki Andrade
    56 views3 pages
    The document discusses the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Philippines, Renato Corona, through an analogy to the Greek myth of Pandora's box. It notes that critics see the impeachment as an attack on judicial independence by the executive branch, while supporters view it as a matter of accountability. The author argues that the trial could potentially divide the country or strengthen the rule of law, and expresses hope that it proceeds with sobriety, fairness and the nation's best interests in mind.

    Original Title

    Corona Impeachment Pandora_s Jar

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document discusses the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Philippines, Renato Corona, through an analogy to the Greek myth of Pandora's box. It notes that critics see the impeachment as an attack on judicial independence by the executive branch, while supporters view it as a matter of accountability. The author argues that the trial could potentially divide the country or strengthen the rule of law, and expresses hope that it proceeds with sobriety, fairness and the nation's best interests in mind.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    56 views3 pages

    Corona Impeachment Pandora - S Jar

    Uploaded by

    Nikki Andrade
    The document discusses the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice of the Philippines, Renato Corona, through an analogy to the Greek myth of Pandora's box. It notes that critics see the impeachment as an attack on judicial independence by the executive branch, while supporters view it as a matter of accountability. The author argues that the trial could potentially divide the country or strengthen the rule of law, and expresses hope that it proceeds with sobriety, fairness and the nation's best interests in mind.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    You are on page 1of 3

    EAGLE EYES Dean Tony La Vina 17 January 2012, Manila Standard Today Pandoras Jar Zeus was furious

    s when Prometheus, the titan, stole fire from the heavens and gave it to the mortals. The gods fury for this sacrilege was implacable such that he gifted Epimetheus, the brother of Prometheus, with the beautiful and gifted Pandora, known in Greek mythology as the first woman on earth. But there is a catch: together with Pandora was an earthen jar (for some reason, most of us call it Pandoras Box) which she was not to open under any circumstances. Piqued by curiosity, Pandora nevertheless opened the jar and lo and behold all evil it contained escaped and spread throughout the earth. Riding over the crest of enormous popular support President Aquino pledged to run after public officials during the last administration who are guilty of corruption and other chicanery in public office. Many construed this as referring to former president Arroyo who even during her term of office was plagued by charges of electoral fraud and other anomalies. In the mind of the public, Mrs. Arroyo lied, stole and cheated. For President Aquino, she is indeed Prometheus incarnate. Much like Prometheus who was bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day, Mrs. Arroyo is now detained bound, if you must in a hospital awaiting her fate in the hands of the courts. We are now all too familiar with Mrs. Arroyos attempts to leave the country which was thwarted by the Aquino government, in particular by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the TRO issued by the Supreme Court, the faster than lightning issuance by the COMELEC of a resolution approving the filing of a case for electoral sabotage against her, the equally fast issuance by the court of a warrant of arrest and now the breakneck impeachment of the Chief Justice. All these, inconsistent with the normal experience of the Philippine justice system, were accomplished in record time. The whirlwind incarceration and indictment of Arroyo and the resultant impeachment of Chief Justice promise to stay at the forefront of the present administrations major concerns in the foreseeable future. While the administration is downplaying its political and economic effects, many believe that the executive and the judiciary have effectively locked horns portending havoc in inter-institutional harmony and potentially causing political divisiveness and economic instability in the country . The impeachment trial of the Chief Justice will hug the headlines for a long time. Impeachment is often described as a political process. This is precisely the reason why the allies of this administration in Congress were able to muster enough votes to impeach the CJ. In effect, as is often said, it is a numbers game. Impeachment is neither criminal nor civil in nature; hence, it is sui generis, a class by itself. It takes the place of administrative disciplinary proceedings against impeachable officers because, under the Constitution, there is no other authority that can administratively discipline impeachable officers. The power of impeachment is a way of checking certain officials of government who having been elected or appointed in office for a fixed term. As such they enjoy security of tenure to insulate them from the vagaries of political conditions and to

    ensure that they are able to perform their functions efficiently and without undue interruption. But this is not to grant them carte blanche authority to exercise their power whimsically and capriciously. Even as they cannot be removed from office by ordinary means, they still have the duty to uphold the public trust. The solution prescribed by the Constitution to arrest governmental abuse committed by these specified government officials is impeachment. With the Senate trial of Chief Justice Corona beginning yesterday, serious concerns has been raised about its impact on the political and economic stability of the nation. Corona himself stated that while he is willing to submit to the impeachment trial, he believes his impeachment is nonetheless a virulent assault on the integrity and independence of the judiciary as an institution, equating it to a creeping dictatorship. Some portray the impeachment as a collision between the great branches of government the executive, the legislative and the judicial. If this is true, we are in for a lot of trouble. Imagine if the judiciary can no longer function with impartiality because it perceives the executive as an enemy or worst because it is under the influence or afraid of the President or of Congress. The consequences for the future are unimaginable under this scenario. Fortunately, most people see Chief Justice Coronas impeachment as a simple case of accountability. While there may be clashing personalities involved, it is not seen as a dispute between the two co-equal institutions that the two officials represent. It is simply one man being hailed by the judges-senators to answer some serious charges. Impeachment may be a political process which may at times be divisive yet it is a constitutionally recognized process of accountability. In this sense, it is good for the nation. I must caution though that the process being political does not mean it is partisan or that it is arbitrary and unjust. I expect the prosecutors from the House to behave with decorum and dignity; I have high hopes that the Senator-Judges will be fair and decide on the basis of evidence and what is good for the country. Chief Justice Corona is being charged for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution spurred by the belief of the President and the House of Representatives that he (Corona) has consistently shown in his decisions partiality towards the former president; that, because of his long association with his former boss, he is too beholden to decide against her. In short, the perception is that the Chief Justice can no longer perform his duties as a magistrate with impartiality and independence. Did Chief Justice Corona play Epimetheus, the brother of Prometheus, who would do everything to protect his kin? Is the impeachment the Pandoras jar that will unleash all sorts of troubles for this country as the naysayers and doomsayers are often singing nowadays? As for me, as I have written elsewhere, I intend to approach the impeachment trial with sobriety, caution, and the perspective of the independent observer. I will not take sides regardless of my personal feelings. My public position on Corona appointment as Chief Justice has always been that it is unconstitutional and I continue to believe this is the case while recognizing that the Supreme Court had affirmed its validity. In our Greek story, Pandora, after realizing the gravity of what she has done, hastened to close the lid of the jar. But it was too late because the jar was emptied of its contents except one that

    remained at the bottom which is - Hope. Surely, we can only hope that the incoming trials would not unleash the evils of Pandoras Jar but instead transform this nation into a strong Republic.

    Email: [email protected] Facebook: [email protected] Twitter: tonylavs

    You might also like