Sereno lauds Freedom Constitution for giving SC greater powers

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno hailed the 1987 Constitution for giving the Supreme Court greater powers in dealing with sensitive matters like the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which it declared unconstitutional late last year.

The chief magistrate made the pronouncement before hundreds attending the 115th Republic Day celebrations at the Barasoain Church here yesterday.

In her speech, Sereno cited the roles played by the 1899 Malolos Constitution and the 1987 Freedom Constitution in shaping national consciousness.

She said the Constitution, as a “national covenant,” should be followed and defended.

Sereno said the 1899 Malolos Constitution was more fitting for a parliament, considered the most powerful branch of government in those times.

Ratified by the Malolos Congress at the Barasoain church here, the 1899 Constitution provided for the establishment of the first Supreme Court of the Philippines.

But she said that if the 1899 Constitution were in effect, the Supreme Court would not have been able to decide on the PDAF.

One feature of the Malolos Constitution was its bestowing the power of the vice president on the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

While hailing the crafting of the Malolos Constitution, Sereno said it was the current Constitution that gave the SC the power to balance power between Congress and the executive branch.

“If you still have doubts in your hearts on the devotion of government institutions to their sworn duties under the Constitution, just look back to your beginnings and summon the spirit of constitutionalism that shaped the Malolos Constitution,”  Sereno said in Filipino.