Well, Bro. Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, in his Philippine Daily Inquirer column last Sunday, fittingly described the quality of the courts during the incumbency of his law student days as sacrosanct. He described Supreme Court justices as “little deities on Mt. Olympus, whose pronouncements were accepted with finality by the litigants and the public. No one dared lampoon the Court or its gods.”
I still accord high respect to the Highest Court of the land. Given the choice, I would rather be appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court than be elected as Tong-ressman or a Sena-tong. Members of the judiciary are epitomized as respectable and honorable arbiters, whose judgments are proper interpretation of what the law rightfully states. Their decisions ought to be hailed as guideposts of justice, lest confidence in the judiciary erode its moral ascendancy to administer justice. Although, the presence of hoodlums in robes somewhat diminishes that respect, overall, people still honor justices, judges, fiscals and lawyers, the utmost respect fitting for a member of the bench and bar.
Thus, I would like to make a profile of the Supreme Court during the pendency of my law school days. Years from now, I may look back and say that I was a student during these times. These justices, in no amount of words shall influence my quest to be a lawyer. Well, let’s start.
The Puno Supreme Court
Started Law School – June 4, 2007
Chief Justice:
Reynato S. Puno
Associate Justices:
Leonardo A. Quisumbing
Consuelo Ynares-Santiago
Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez
Antonio T. Carpio
Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez
Renato C. Corona
Romeo J. Callejo, Sr.
Conchita Carpio-Morales
Adolfo S. Azcuna
Dante O. Tinga
Minita Chico-Nazario
Cancio C. Garcia
Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr.
Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura
With the exception of Justice Nachura, most of the justices are the remainder of the 2006 Panganiban Court (Justice Nachura replaced the position vacated by then Associate Justice now Chief Justice Puno). Chief Justice Puno replaced Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban on December 6, 2006.
New Appointments
July 25, 2007
Following the retirement of Justice Callejo, Sr., Pres. Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo appointed Associate Justice Ruben T. Reyes, who served as the Court of Appeals Presiding Justice. He was the third CA Presiding Justice to be appointed as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court by Pres. Arroyo (Justices Austria-Martinez and Garcia were former CA Presiding Justices).
December 3, 2007
After reaching 70 years of age, Justice Garcia retired. He was replaced by Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, the first woman Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan.
March 18, 2008
In a very crucial period in Philippine political history due to the NBN-ZTE scandal, a highly-favored candidate of the Judicial and Bar Council replaced the tenacious but now retired female magistrate, Justice Sandoval Gutierrez. Arroyo’s Labor Secretary, Arturo D. Brion, was appointed as Associate Justice. A few days later, he joined and voted in the dismissal of the landmark case, Senate Committees, et al. v. Romulo Neri.
In the following years
Studying the retirement age of the incumbent justices, we are faced with a guessing game. No new appointments are expected in 2008, unless any unforeseen event takes shape, i.e. death, resignation, impeachment, coup d’etat, and such other events may cause the change of the membership of the Court. In 2009, 6 Justices are retiring. Justices Reyes, Azcuna, Tinga, Ynares-Santiago, Quisumbing and Chico-Nazario shall vacate the Court, in that order, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Thus, by November 2009, Pres. Arroyo would have virtually appointed all SC Justices, with the exception of Chief Justice Puno, who although appointed as Chief by GMA, was selected by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos in 1993.
In May 16, 2010, just before or just after the 2010 Presidential Elections, Chief Justice Puno shall retire. Therefore, the remaining 8 justices, especially the 5 most senior ones, Justices Carpio, Austria Martinez, Corona, Carpio-Morales and Velasco, have the most chances of being appointed as Chief Justice, unless the next Philippine President decides to disregard tradition by appointing an outsider. Among them shall hopefully be the next successor of Chief Justice Puno. Your guess is only as good as mine as to who shall be the next Chief Justice. But careful analysis of the voting patterns and decision making stands being taken by present Chief Justice Hopefuls reveal a very interesting trend. Most of the supposed senior justices tend to contradict the present administration’s policies, e.g. Justice Carpio, Austria Martinez and Carpio-Morales; while Justices Corona and Velasco remain adamant to the administration. It could be an indication that an opposition President shall be elected in 2010, therefore Justices with the most senior stint is leaning towards the reputation of being independent. But not long afterwards, in December 2010, Justice Austria Martinez shall retire too, leaving 4 possible choices. Therefore, 2 main contenders seem to emerge, Justice Carpio and Corona. Again, my guess is only as good as anyone else, but it looks like whoever wins in the 2010 election, these two honorable magistrates are the men to look after. Their voting patterns may reveal their inclinations, but I still maintain high respect for these two men.
Thus, only 7 of the justices shall be present until my target graduation date of March 2011, namely Justices Carpio, Corona, Carpio-Morales, Velasco, Nachura, Leonardo-de Castro and Brion. If I am going to extend to 2012 due to unforeseen reasons, Justices Carpio-Morales and Nachura shall both retire in June 2011, leaving 5 of the present members of the Puno Court. Among them could well be the next Chief, whatever their decisions shall invariably affect and have an effect my legal practice. Thus, to look after the composition of the Court shall be the constant pursuit of this person, as I too shall be appointed there in the future.
Hehe!
I still accord high respect to the Highest Court of the land. Given the choice, I would rather be appointed as a justice of the Supreme Court than be elected as Tong-ressman or a Sena-tong. Members of the judiciary are epitomized as respectable and honorable arbiters, whose judgments are proper interpretation of what the law rightfully states. Their decisions ought to be hailed as guideposts of justice, lest confidence in the judiciary erode its moral ascendancy to administer justice. Although, the presence of hoodlums in robes somewhat diminishes that respect, overall, people still honor justices, judges, fiscals and lawyers, the utmost respect fitting for a member of the bench and bar.
Thus, I would like to make a profile of the Supreme Court during the pendency of my law school days. Years from now, I may look back and say that I was a student during these times. These justices, in no amount of words shall influence my quest to be a lawyer. Well, let’s start.
The Puno Supreme Court
Started Law School – June 4, 2007
Chief Justice:
Reynato S. Puno
Associate Justices:
Leonardo A. Quisumbing
Consuelo Ynares-Santiago
Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez
Antonio T. Carpio
Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez
Renato C. Corona
Romeo J. Callejo, Sr.
Conchita Carpio-Morales
Adolfo S. Azcuna
Dante O. Tinga
Minita Chico-Nazario
Cancio C. Garcia
Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr.
Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura
With the exception of Justice Nachura, most of the justices are the remainder of the 2006 Panganiban Court (Justice Nachura replaced the position vacated by then Associate Justice now Chief Justice Puno). Chief Justice Puno replaced Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban on December 6, 2006.
New Appointments
July 25, 2007
Following the retirement of Justice Callejo, Sr., Pres. Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo appointed Associate Justice Ruben T. Reyes, who served as the Court of Appeals Presiding Justice. He was the third CA Presiding Justice to be appointed as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court by Pres. Arroyo (Justices Austria-Martinez and Garcia were former CA Presiding Justices).
December 3, 2007
After reaching 70 years of age, Justice Garcia retired. He was replaced by Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, the first woman Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan.
March 18, 2008
In a very crucial period in Philippine political history due to the NBN-ZTE scandal, a highly-favored candidate of the Judicial and Bar Council replaced the tenacious but now retired female magistrate, Justice Sandoval Gutierrez. Arroyo’s Labor Secretary, Arturo D. Brion, was appointed as Associate Justice. A few days later, he joined and voted in the dismissal of the landmark case, Senate Committees, et al. v. Romulo Neri.
In the following years
Studying the retirement age of the incumbent justices, we are faced with a guessing game. No new appointments are expected in 2008, unless any unforeseen event takes shape, i.e. death, resignation, impeachment, coup d’etat, and such other events may cause the change of the membership of the Court. In 2009, 6 Justices are retiring. Justices Reyes, Azcuna, Tinga, Ynares-Santiago, Quisumbing and Chico-Nazario shall vacate the Court, in that order, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Thus, by November 2009, Pres. Arroyo would have virtually appointed all SC Justices, with the exception of Chief Justice Puno, who although appointed as Chief by GMA, was selected by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos in 1993.
In May 16, 2010, just before or just after the 2010 Presidential Elections, Chief Justice Puno shall retire. Therefore, the remaining 8 justices, especially the 5 most senior ones, Justices Carpio, Austria Martinez, Corona, Carpio-Morales and Velasco, have the most chances of being appointed as Chief Justice, unless the next Philippine President decides to disregard tradition by appointing an outsider. Among them shall hopefully be the next successor of Chief Justice Puno. Your guess is only as good as mine as to who shall be the next Chief Justice. But careful analysis of the voting patterns and decision making stands being taken by present Chief Justice Hopefuls reveal a very interesting trend. Most of the supposed senior justices tend to contradict the present administration’s policies, e.g. Justice Carpio, Austria Martinez and Carpio-Morales; while Justices Corona and Velasco remain adamant to the administration. It could be an indication that an opposition President shall be elected in 2010, therefore Justices with the most senior stint is leaning towards the reputation of being independent. But not long afterwards, in December 2010, Justice Austria Martinez shall retire too, leaving 4 possible choices. Therefore, 2 main contenders seem to emerge, Justice Carpio and Corona. Again, my guess is only as good as anyone else, but it looks like whoever wins in the 2010 election, these two honorable magistrates are the men to look after. Their voting patterns may reveal their inclinations, but I still maintain high respect for these two men.
Thus, only 7 of the justices shall be present until my target graduation date of March 2011, namely Justices Carpio, Corona, Carpio-Morales, Velasco, Nachura, Leonardo-de Castro and Brion. If I am going to extend to 2012 due to unforeseen reasons, Justices Carpio-Morales and Nachura shall both retire in June 2011, leaving 5 of the present members of the Puno Court. Among them could well be the next Chief, whatever their decisions shall invariably affect and have an effect my legal practice. Thus, to look after the composition of the Court shall be the constant pursuit of this person, as I too shall be appointed there in the future.
Hehe!
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