MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should make an “ethical and selfless decision” and “not abuse” the power given by the Supreme Court that allowed her to appoint a new Chief Justice during the election period, a militant leader said Thursday.
“Arroyo can still make the ethical and selfless decision of not appointing a chief justice before her term ends. The SC may have decided but the final call will be with Mrs. Arroyo, whether she appoints or not,” said Renato Reyes, Jr., Bayan secretary general, in a statement.
“The right decision would be for her not to use and abuse the power to appoint. She should grow a conscience and spare the people further suffering and anxiety. But that might be asking too much from the president,” he added.
The decision of the Supreme Court (SC) favoring President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appointing the next Chief Justice during the election period mars, yet again, the “peaceful transfer of power” that she has promised, the militant group leader said Thursday.
Reyes added that the high court’s verdict gave Arroyo, who is set to step down from office in June, “two aces” should there be failure of the May 10 automated elections.
“Mrs. Arroyo now has two aces up her sleeve should there be a failure of elections. She has the loyalty of the Armed Forces Chief of Staff and now the power to appoint the next chief justice who will lead the court in deciding crucial issues related to the elections and the presidency,” Reyes said.
“Nothing is sure at this point, not even the transfer of power after June 30, 2010. And no one trusts Mrs. Arroyo to make ethical and selfless decisions. Now that Mrs. Arroyo has the power, she is in a unique position to wield considerable influence on two very crucial institutions,” he added.
Nevertheless, Reyes called on to the people to prevent the possible “abuse” of power
“It is up to the people now to muster the strength to oppose maneuvers that will allow Mrs. Arroyo to stay in power with the help of the military and judiciary,” Reyes said.
Nine of the 15 SC justices on Wednesday, allowed Arroyo to appoint the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who is set to retire on May 17, saying that Section 15 Article VII which prohibits appointments during the election season does not apply to the high court.
They also ordered the Judicial and Bar Council to submit their list of nominees to the Palace by May 17.
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