Video Blog: Impeachment Hangover

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III needs a reality check– that’s according to the author of the first book expose on the Supreme Court, Marites Vitug.

President Aquino is reportedly intervening aggressively in the selection of chief justice.
When he chose his first 3 appointees to the Supreme Court, Aquino admirably kept distance from the process.
But today, things have changed.
Aquino himself admitted that his legal staff is helping Justice Secretary Leila de Lima hurdle her disbarment cases.
Undersecretary Michael Musngi, who sits in the Judicial and Bar Council as an alter ego of the President, lobbied for the inclusion of de Lima in the short list.
But it looks like the President is in for a reality check.
This morning, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines stood by its decision to investigate the charges against de Lima. T
his means her chances of making it to the shortlist have dimmed.
It is clear in the rules that those with pending cases are automatically disqualified by the JBC. This rule was strictly applied even during the term of President Arroyo.
It was what happened with Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera.
So why is President Aquino pushing so hard for his favored ally to be chief justice?
This phenomenon is the impeachment hangover. The President saw how awesome his power was when he had Chief Justice Renato Corona impeached.
He is still reveling in this huge and historic moment which distorted his reality.
He forgets the judiciary is an independent co-equal branch of government.
It’s time for the President to sober up and shake off the impeachment hangover.

– Rappler.com

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