Politics and Justice From An Ordinary Filipino’s Perspective

The Branches. The Constitution tells us that the government has three co-equal branches. The Executive, The Legislative and The Judiciary. Even elementary kids would know this. And these three branches are tasked to make sure the Philippines run smoothly (which doesn’t really happen). And one of their duties is to COUNTER CHECK AND BALANCE each other to ensure that the other branches do their responsibilities lawfully. 

The Constitution. Now comes the problem. After analyzing the situation. I think there’s something wrong. And I hope there’s a lawyer here that could clear my thoughts on this. The Constitution tells us they are all CO-EQUAL. So the people elect the head of the executive branch, PRESIDENT. The People elect the members of the Congress thereafter they decide their leaders, SENATE PRESIDENT, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. Now, the leader of the Judiciary branch is APPOINTED by the President. Being the head of the Executive branch, it’s as if he also heads the Judiciary through his appointment. I just realized these after hearing the news and all. I, too, want clarification. What most likely could happen is the president to appoint a Chief Justice he trusts and he could rely on for any matter. And I think there’s something wrong. 

Chief Justice Corona. I hate how he talks as if the administration is attacking the whole of the judiciary. For heaven’s sake, the executive and legislative branches are attacking you, Chief Justice, not the Supreme Court of any of the other Justices/Magistrates. I hate how he talks as if the country will be too chaotic. He’s a midnight appointee, everyone knows that. And if he’s as righteous as he says he is, then he shouldn’t have accepted the position in the first place.

Congress. The Constitution has given the House of Representatives the privilege to vote to impeach and they have reached more than the required number of signatures to impeach the Chief Justice. Whether the congressmen have read what they signed for is another story, but definitely their own prerogative. And whether they have the capacity to fully understand the articles of impeachment, is another. The decision was once up to us, we had the chance to vote for the best during elections. And they’re seated at the Congress because of us. Now if we don’t trust them enough, we have a big problem. It all reflects back on us.

Senate. Now the Senate has power of the court. It’s all up to them. We could only wish for the best, for the truth to come out and for the Filipino people to claim the Justice we are all seeking for. And again, we voted for these senators, and it is with great absurdity that we do not trust them. Though I know elections aren’t as clean to actually believe in it, but that’s the only thing we have so far in terms of letting them hear our voices. I know for a fact that some senators are really incompetent popular assholes, but we could only hope for the best. They’re all political even if they wear their robes, so I just hope that whatever political influence they have in making their decisions could further bring good implications for the country and for the Filipino people. 

Media. I hate how they sensationalize everything. 

Court Holiday. The robbed off the Filipino people one day of Justice. 

What we are witnessing now is an exercise of the branches’ power against each other. I hate it when they say it’s unconstitutional, when in fact every move now is based on the Constitution. What I’m fearing now is that we all realize there might really be something wrong with the Constitution and it be the downfall of the government of the Philippines.