CEBU, Philippines - Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. is deeply saddened over the recent decision of the High Tribunal declaring with finality that the Truth Commission’s creation was unconstitutional.
“It has really deeply saddened me. I have lost my faith and confidence in the Supreme Court, which I have served for 15 years and seven years of which as a chief justice,” Davide said in an interview with The FREEMAN.
He said the Supreme Court, with its latest decision, has suppressed the discovery of the truth and has proven that it is a protector of some people.
However, Davide said even if the High Tribunal declares the Truth Commission as unconstitutional, the truth will always triumph.
“Sayop gyud ilang decision (their decision is wrong),” said Davide, who took his oath of office last September 13, 2010 as chairman of the Truth Commission amidst legal questions surrounding the creation of such commission.
The Truth Commission was created by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III through Executive Order No. 1 signed on July 30, 2010.
Davide added that the Supreme Court “perpetuated its patently wrong or erroneous application in the doctrine of the equal protection of the law.”
The Supreme Court had ruled that the creation of the Commission violates the equal protection clause as it only singled-out the Arroyo administration.
Former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would have been subject of the Commission’s investigation.
Davide said the Truth Commission was the centerpiece of the Aquino’s administration fight against graft and corruption.
The Commission’s task was to investigate various anomalies of the Arroyo administration such as the botched US$329-million NBN-ZTE telecommunications deal, the P728-million fertilizer fund scam and the “Hello, Garci” election scandal. — /JPM (FREEMAN)