Chiz, Mar slam SC decision (4:51 p.m.)

MANILA -- Opposition senators Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Manuel “Mar” Roxas II were disappointed over the Supreme Court (SC) ruling allowing outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to pick the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno who is set to retire on May 17.

In a statement, Escudero said the decision is not timely as the “talks and fears of different scenarios meant to derail the elections are ripe.”

“As a lawyer, I have my own interpretation of the law, but this decision is really a big disappointment because the law clearly states that the incumbent cannot appoint anyone within the period of the constitutional ban. However, this is not that first time that I have been disappointed by the decision of the court,” he said.

Escudero, who sits as the Senate representative in the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), said the eight-member body can only submit the shortlist to Arroyo until SC ruled with finality.

For his part, Roxas said the Liberal Party and the “vast majority of the Filipino people” are “deeply alarmed” with Wednesday’s ruling.

"It scares many of our people that even on a very crucial issue of constitutionality and decency in government, the Justices of our Supreme Court would bow to the mighty powers of this President who has bent the rules and even our Constitution to suit her whims,” Roxas said in a statement.

“Whoever rules now makes the rules. The blindfold of Lady Justice has now been stripped off, and she is now being coerced to tip her scales in favor of President Arroyo and her clique who intend to keep power at all costs,” he added.

Despite the expected filing of several petitions and motions for reconsiderations, Escudero said the chances of the reversal of ruling are slim “given the number of votes favoring the decision.”

Nine justices, all Arroyo appointees, ruled in favor to allow the incumbent president to choose the next Chief Justice. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)