Pala-isip

From Philstar . MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino appointed yesterday Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Punzalan Aranal-Sereno as the 24th chief justice, the first woman to head the country’s highest tribunal. Sereno is President Aquino’s first appointee to the Supreme Court (SC). Among her notable votes in the SC are those in favor of the Cojuangcos on land valuation for Hacienda Luisita, and against the departure of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ostensibly for treatment abroad. At 52, Sereno is the second youngest chief magistrate after Manuel Moran, who was appointed at 51. Sereno is slated to become the second longest serving chief magistrate – for 18 years, or until she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70. Pre-war chief justice Cayetano Arellano served for 18 years and 10 months. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino signed the appointment of Sereno yesterday and it was immediately transmitted to her office. Sereno re...

By Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) Updated December 13, 2011 12:00 AM MANILA, Philippines - Hours before the House of Representatives voted to impeach him yesterday, Chief Justice Renato Corona rallied the judiciary and his supporters to "remain ready and vigilant" against what he called a "scheme that will destroy democracy." The first chief justice to be impeached broke his silence a week after getting a public tongue lashing from President Aquino, who accused him of undermining the integrity of the judiciary with his alleged partiality toward former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Critics consider Corona a midnight appointee because he assumed the post when Reynato Puno retired on May 17, a week after the 2010 elections. But the Supreme Court (SC) upheld Corona's appointment. "I want all of you to know that your chief justice continues to be in command and will lead the fight against any and all who dare to destroy the co...

President Noynoy Aquino lambasted the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Renato Corona in a nationally televised public forum at the First National Criminal Justice Summit hosted by the Department of Justice at the Manila Hotel. Mr. Aquino lectured Corona in his speech, telling him that the Supreme Court is accountable to the people and saying its power emanated from them. “We have no plan to step on its rights or humiliate the credibility of anyone. But we have to go back to the main principle of our democracy. Those of us who took an oath to serve only owe it to one: you who are our boss, the Filipino people,” the President said. “Now there is one public servant who owes a debt of gratitude not to the people who should be the source of our power, but to a patron who squeezed him into the position, will we rely on him to look at the interest of the people?” he added. When asked for a reaction after President Aquino's speech criticizing the high court, Corona said, "...

Here is the link to the Supreme Court Decision on Hubert Webb's acquittal . The concurring opinions by Carpio Morales and Sereno . And the dissenting opinions by Villarama and Brion . Check out Wikipedia for details of this sensational case.