Why not a Muslim for the Supreme Court?

When the judicial system of any country gets a much-needed shot in the arm, there is cause to celebrate. For example, when Sonia Sotomayor was nominated to the Supreme Court by US President Barack Obama, the entire world watched with an approving eye as the first Latina was eventually named to the High Bench in a country where 16.3 percent of all documented citizens are of Hispanic descent.

Contrary to the opinion of some people on this matter, ethnic representation in the hallowed halls of justice does not change the sanctity of the courts. Sotomayor herself said, “While life experience shapes who one is, ultimately and completely, a judge follows the law regardless of personal background.” One of four women to ever serve in the US Supreme Court, the road to Sotomayor’s appointment is probably just as exciting as that of our Court of Appeals Justice Jaafar Dimaampao, a Muslim being nominated for the Supreme Court. In a country where five to nine percent of the entire population practices Islam, Dimaampao’s elevation to the SC would spell leaps and bounds for the progressive and ecumenical thinking that the Aquino administration seems to have adopted thus far.

The recent retirement of Associate Justices Antonio Eduardo Nachura and Conchita Carpio-Morales from the Supreme Court has left two vacancies for the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to fill. Appellate Justice Dimaampao received five of eight votes, tying him with Appellate Justice Estela Bernabe and cementing their place as contenders for one of the vacancies.

If appointed, Dimaampao will be the first Muslim SC Justice since Abdulwahid A. Bidin who was named in 1987 and served until April 1995. Dimaampao’s meteoric rise in the profession is one to inspire cadres of lawyers. He obtained his degree in accounting in 1982, and passed the CPA board examinations in 1983. At the age of 19, Dimaampao was still too young to qualify for a CPA license, so he took up law and passed the bar in 1987.

He began his career as a state prosecutor in Mandaluyong, and steadily rose up the ranks until he was named executive judge of Mandaluyong City. Soon after, Dimaampao was appointed associate justice of the Court of Appeals, the youngest magistrate ever to have been named to the Appellate Court.

A professor of law at the University of Sto. Tomas, University of the East, and the Manuel L. Quezon University, he has written two books in taxation and is currently at work on his third.

Judging from his background and track record, Jaafar Dimaampao, despite his tender age of 53, appears to be a worthy candidate for the Supreme Court. Insha’Allah! (If Allah wills it, it shall be done). 

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The Bird Nuts of Cebu, in cooperation with SM City Cebu, Cebu Pacific Online, Ramon Aboitiz Corporation, and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines are presenting “Global Ambassadors to the Changing Environment”, a photo exhibit featuring the migratory shorebirds in the wild and in their natural habitats, July 6-12, Northwing of SM City Cebu.

The photographer participants of the exhibit are Nilo Arribas Jr., Dr. Luisito Co MD, Bobby Kintanar, Dr. Clemn Macasiano Jr., Marester Bas Macasiano, and Tateo Osawa.

Photographer and environmentalist Nilo Arribas writes about the significance of the photo exhibit: “There has been an increasing consciousness on environmental awareness over the years. Modern transport systems afforded more people the opportunity to travel and appreciate ecologically rich environments. This eventually leads one to think about the possibility of living in such places, within one’s locality or even in the urban settlement. This might be wishful thinking for those who are so accustomed to the barren and enclosed lifestyle often characteristic of city life. However, if we only take a step back and observe the outdoors, one will realize that we do not live in isolation.

“There is wildlife in our localities, near and within the urban centers! Wild birds abound in places where they are “welcome”. Welcome here means they have safe places to roost (rest), food to eat and open space to forage and live a “normal” life. Ironically, we humans share the same longing for these basic necessities to live a normal and healthy life.

“Wild birds in general share the same basic lifestyle as humans. Most of them can fly and therefore move freely from one place to another in search of food, roosting and breeding areas (suitable habitat). In other words, their presence in our locality is a good indicator that the place we shared with them is still suitable for healthy and comfortable living. On the other hand, their total absence in our area can be a tell tale sign that something is wrong. In fact it should be a cause for alarm on possible hazards that may affect humans.

 “Migratory birds are exposed to various environmental conditions as they travel, rest and navigate across islands and continents. It is for this reason that migratory birds have become an important indicator and ambassadors of the changing environment.”

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The migratory bird exhibit will feature 18 selected migratory shorebirds in full color prints; a panoramic view of birds congregating in their foraging area and/or in flight; key and notable information on the individual birds, and behavioral photographs rendered in a series or individual shots.

 Other interesting facts about birds featured in the photo exhibit: Ashorebird with the longest bill in relation to its body; a bird species that recorded the world’s longest 11,000 kilometers non-stop flight in nine days, and, despite the nomadic nature of birds’ lifestyle, a wild migratory bird that has lived for over 60 years.

The photo exhibit at SM City Cebu Northwing will feature visiting migratory birds taken in the locality of Cebu. The photos taken in the locality will demonstrate that urban dwellers don’t have to go very far to appreciate these magnificent long-distance fliers.

“By instilling a mindset for coexistence, rather than a life of separation or isolation, we should be able to attain a society that is tolerant and sensitive to the needs of wildlife in a shared environment,” writes Nilo.

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On the subject of appreciating and living in a free and beautiful environment, one can visit Flor’s Garden in Antipolo. Environmentalists and students from near and far have benefited from expeditions to the garden full of trees and foliage and the sounds and sight of birds. Friday and Saturday (July 15 and 16), a natural farming seminar will be held at Flor’s Garden. The seminar will be conducted by Andry Lim, Secretary of Agriculture Awardee in 2009.

Participants will be taught to make fertilizer from natural materials, raising free-range chickens and pigs with no bath yet no smell, and making concoctions and feed mixtures for plants and animals.

Interested parties may call Fely Gaco at 6356092 to 93 during office hours and 0919-5567121.

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My e-mail: [email protected]