The last time I blogged, it was several months ago, and the issue of the day was where and how to bury the late dictator. I could still remember , as it was Father's Day, and I pitied the dictator for having to be displayed in Batac, Ilocos Norte for years now ( hehe thanks to Doc Bong Morato for correcting me this early, otherwise, I would have inadvertently moved the corpse of Marcos to Porac in Pampanga! ). Poor him, as his fate lies on the hands of ingrate offsprings who are bent on using his corpse as a political tool.
But so much for Marcos, as the star of the season is now Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. After two presidents were overthrown, you would think that the succeeding presidents would be so cautious and discerning. But no - after only a little over two decades, we have yet another president who could well be jailed and serve for a lifetime (the first one died in exile, while the next was convicted but pardoned). With several scandals up in her sleeves, this scenario is not far from possible. Heck, most think she deserves it, and it has been a long time coming!
Up to the last minute, GMA was at her element, appointing a Supreme Court chief albeit a new president has just been elected. Technically, she has that prerogative. But decency would say that she should have not. And to think that the other seven members of the Supreme Court were all GMA appointees. Talk about a long term plan! With that midnight appointment, along with the seven appointees, you could surmise that the flak the judiciary has been getting lately was all GMA's doing. She tarnished the very integrity of the Supreme Court, all for her benefit as it seems. She seemed to know early on that her successor might not be as friendly to her and her family, so much so that even before leaving Malacanang, she made sure that she has "people' at the right places - at high places I say!
So it is not hard to fathom as to why some quarters would see fit to question the supposed wisdom and independence of the highest court in the land. It was after all GMA who paved the way for this. People would argue that you may not agree with the decisions of the Supreme Court, but being the Supreme Court, everyone has to abide by its decision, swallow it - no matter how bitter the pill is. To this, I say why not, for it is after all what is right. But having a Supreme Court with GMA's John Hancock all over - I guess I have but beg to differ. Because you see, as most of the people like myself, I am not an expert of the constitution, but I sure know what is right from wrong. And to follow a Supreme Court which falls short of most people's expectations of being decent and full of integrity - I would rather follow my conscience and go the other way as I know it is right. And to this, I am quite happy that we have the likes of Sec. Leila de Lima, as she sure did for us what most of us wanted so passionately - not allow GMA to escape prosecution and gloat about it yet again - regardless of how the Supreme Court had it planned. Sec. Leila de Lima is the Filipino people incarnate! She is one of us - nay, she is us - the unheard majority who just know how things should be done!
But to say that she went against the constitution is such a baseless accusation - for if we are to check closely, the TRO was never received by the DOJ on the same day that GMA and the husband wanted out of the country post haste! What did they want to happen - for the DOJ, Malacanang and the rest of the country to rely on the media and word of mouth and take their word for it that yes! there was a TRO. Is there anything more insane than that?
Besides, what are the odds that the former first couple knew even before it came out that a TRO shall be released by the supreme court, so much so that they already booked their flights even before the supposed "TRO" actually came out. And what is crazier is that they allegedly have a medical appointment a day or two after the TRO shall be released. Talk about the stars all aligning for Arroyo's benefit. I say both GMA and the former First Gentleman could be some sort of psychics.
But lo and behold! There was never a TRO to speak of on the first place! No matter how Midas had interpreted it - going to the lengths of actually announcing it to the media and therefore putting a shoe in his mouth in the process, the TRO could have not been effective, as one of the three conditions for the said TRO was never met! The former first couple did not assign a legal representative on their behalf! So the highly controversial TRO was in "effect" (no pun intended) moot and academic! Another sure case of "getting gaga over nothing"! Now that's what happens when you hurry yourself so much when traveling - everybody knows that! You just might leave a small yet important detail in the process, that your travel plans all together could be compromised. In this case, the Arroyo's escape plan went haywire!
Yes, it has been a while. And yet, come to think of it, less than three decades is such a short time to forget a moral lesson - that even the most powerful people in the land could also meet their downfall, all from their doing! 1986, then 2001, and now 2011...when can we ever learn! I guess it would be a while before we can ever know.
Ok, I better get back to my pot roast now.
Ok, I better get back to my pot roast now.
