De Lima cited for contempt

As all constitutional experts and legal eagles predicted, the Supreme Court threw out the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the Solicitor General on the TRO against the denial of the Allow Departure Order (ADO) requested by President Gloria Arroyo and FG Mike Arroyo.

To express its displeasure, the Supreme Court directed De Lima to show cause why she should not be cited for contempt on 2 grounds:

1) For not obeying the TRO issued by the Supreme Court;

2) For disrespect to the Supreme Court.

 Congratulations to the 8 Supreme Court Justices who voted in the majority for preserving the integrity and dignity of the judicial branch of government.

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BREAKING NEWS. . . The Comelec in an emergency meeting voted 5-2 to file charges of economic sabotage against former President Gloria M. Arroyo. This rush decision indicates that Malacañang now controls the Comelec and that the constitutional body was part all along of the grand plan to prevent GMA from leaving.

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SPECULATION vs. FACT. . . After all is said and done, the bottom line is that President Aquino, Sec. de Lima and his top advisers were convinced that GMA will not return so they have to do everything to prevent her from leaving. They are encouraged by surveys that show 77% of the masa agree.

Gloria’s written assurances, FG Mike Arroyo’s statement they will be back by December, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio’s guaranty and the filing of a P2 million cash bond were not given any weight by Malacañang. But, the conclusion that she may not return is purely speculative. The argument against it is legal, constitutional, a matter of human rights. That’s a fact and fact should prevail over speculation.

We take the view that GMA and FG will return if allowed to depart. If she had any intentions of evading prosecution, she could have done it much earlier when she left and traveled abroad 4 times. It has been made clear to her by P-Noy that he will put her in jail. He even said in Tokyo that GMA will be charged by November and be jailed by Christmas. But still, she came back from her trips.

The only explanation I can think of why she didn’t pack up and leave earlier is she is probably confident that no case against her will prosper. After all, any charge against her will not reach a final judgment during P-Noy’s term.

Note that Erap’s trial lasted 6 years. If he had appealed, that would have taken another 3 to 4 years.

The bottom line too, she is intelligent enough to realize that if she didn’t return, that will be construed as an admission of guilt in the court of public opinion and history.

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PHILCONSA WEIGHS IN. . . The Philippine Constitutional Association through President Manuel Lazaro warned that Secretary Leila de Lima’s willful defiance or disobedience of any orders of the Supreme Court is dangerous and destructive of the rule of law.

Lazaro said that Sec. de Lima’s refusal to honor and enforce the SC TRO violated the fundamental principle of separation of powers of the 3 departments of government.

Lazaro also said that Sec. de Lima’s willful defiance might usher in the beginning of the end of the constitutionally ordained system of checks and balances in government.

“Any unilateral defiance, resistance or disobedience on their (DOJ and BI) part treads into a prohibited zone for which they can be held accountable. It would undermine and obliterate the underlying principles of our constitutional system of government,” Lazaro added.

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TWO DEANS vs. DE LIMA . . . Fr. Ranhilo Aquino, dean of the Graduate School of Law of San Beda College and Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., former dean of the Ateneo Law School, have come out strongly to support the SC decision issuing a TRO against Sec. Leila de Lima, a graduate of the San Beda College of Law. They warned of a constitutional crisis due to De Lima’s defiance. Dean Bernas went one step farther and said the President himself must take responsibility for the acts of his alter ego, Justice Sec. de Lima, since he has announced his approval of her actions.

 In fact, there are reports that President Aquino had overruled De Lima’s earlier recommendation to grant the Allow Departure Order (ADO). Note that De Lima held her stonewalling presscon at Malacanang. No less than Sen. Miriam D. Santiago expressed the view that de Lima was just following Malacañang instructions.

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WAKING UP. . . After 500 days and more than 1,800 murders, DILG Sec. Jessie Robredo finally woke up and ordered PNP Chief Gen. Nicanor Bartolome to conduct operations against “riding in tandem in motorcycle” murderers especially in Metro Manila.

Bartolome admitted an increase in crimes involving motorcycle-riding criminals this year.

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CONCERT TO WATCH . . . Greetings to our reader George Yang, CEO of McDonald’s chain of 322 food stores. Mr. Yang informed us that he is presenting 33 musical artists who have been granted scholarship by his Klassikal Music Foundation at a concert on Nov. 24 at the PhilAm Life Auditorium. Tickets may be bought at the lobby.

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TIDBITS. . . Pagcor has released P65 million to Gawad Kalinga to build 100 schools in time for next school year. Pagcor has committed P1 billion to build 1,000 school buildings.

Sec. Voltaire Gazmin reported that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has assured the Philippine government that another Hamilton class coast guard cutter will be made available to the Philippines next year.

The number of dengue cases has reached 97,152 as of Oct. 22 with 527 deaths.

 Greetings to Mayor Christian Natividad of Malolos City.

Birthday greetings to Batangas City readers Dr. Boy Palacios, Dr. Roger Marcial, Dr. Ramon Pastor, Joey Villena, Bert Pastor and Charing Ambida.