The Association of Law Students of the Philippines (ALSP) lead the Solidarity March with the Leadership of ALSP President Patrick Borbon (Medina College), Giancarlo Capco- ALSP National VP (FEU Law), Sherwin Pulayan-ALSP National Treasurer (UST Law), Aaron Anonuevo- Exec-Dir (PUP Law)
Hundreds of law students, lawyers and concerned citizen groups led by the Association of Law Students of the Philippines gathered for a press conference in Max’s Restaurant Orosa, Manila and marched along Taft Avenue to protest against the alleged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's scheme of appointing a midnight chief justice, which they said to be in direct violation of the Philippine Constitution.
The Solidarity March last March 8, 2010 was organized by the Association of Law Students of the Philippine, mostly from Far Eastern University – Institute of Law including the ALSP FEU Law Department, United Tamaraw Law Students Association, Tau Kappa Phi Fraternity and Portia Sorority of FEU, together with the several chapters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Akbayan, Bayan Muna, Alternative Law Groups, UST Faculty of Civil Law, The Manila Collegian (UP). Active support were likewise given by the ALSP Philippine Law School, ALSP PUP Law, ALSP Philippine Christian University, ALSP MLQU Law and ALSP Southern Luzon Region. Also in attendance were former Cabinet officials of the Arroyo administration namely Cesar Purisima (Finance), Teresita Deles (peace adviser) and Avelino Cruz (Defense), who returned to private law practice as senior partner of the CVC Law.
In a Manifesto of Solidarity submitted to the Supreme Court, a copy of which was furnished to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the group called on the High Court and the JBC to “defend the independence and integrity of the judiciary against any and all attempts to tarnish its integrity and compromise its independence.”
“We hereby condemn President Arroyo’s shameless abuse of power, blatant violation of the letter and spirit of the Constitution, breach of the public trust and disrespect for the independence and integrity of the judiciary,” the Manifesto stated. “We will not allow the Constitution – the fundamental expression of our sovereign will as a people – to be desecrated, raped and mangled by Arroyo and her allies for their own self-serving ends.”
Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who will vacate his post on May 17, was also called upon to “shake off his indifference and finally exercise his constitutional duty to defend the Fundamental Law, make an honorable stand and uphold the strong moral leadership he has always espoused, at the time when it is needed most.”
“We implore each and every member of the JBC to be steadfast in upholding the Rule of law and to be courageous in resisting the enticements of the incumbent administration. We beg you not to succumb to the pressures of submitting a list of nominees to a President devoid of legal authority to appoint the next chief justice,” the group further said. They added: “Those who desire to lead the judiciary and become the first among equals to forego their personal ambitions and resist the blandishments of power for the sake of defending the integrity and independence of the judiciary by refusing an unlawful midnight appointment by Arroyo.”
Despite the supposed constitutional ban on “midnight appointments” by an outgoing chief executive, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will appoint the next chief justice even if it costs her lawsuits and a further drop in her popularity ratings, a Malacañang official said.
Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said President Arroyo will make the appointment even without the shortlist from the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the body that screens nominees for vacant judicial posts. “The time is not yet ripe because the JBC list has not yet reached the President. Once that the deadline comes and there is no list from the JBC yet, the President will make a decision,” he said. The deadline he was referring to was May 17, when Chief Justice Reynato Puno reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.
“As usual she (PGMA) will consider the good of the majority. If she gets lawsuits and her survey ratings plunge further, her primary consideration is her responsibility (Chief Jusitce Appointment) and the national interest,” he said.
Under the Constitution, an incumbent president is prohibited from making appointments 60 days before elections. Applied this year, the appointment ban will start on March 11 and will stay in effect until President Arroyo's term ends on June 30.
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