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Thursday, December 15, 2005
Church asks SC to review order
THE clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese of Bacolod has asked the Supreme Court to re-investigate its suspension order against lawyer Francisco Cruz.
It also issued a statement saying they "strongly protest the inconsiderate act of the High Court." In a support statement issued yesterday, the group claimed that the lawyer's suspension is a big loss for the poor clients, who depend much on his assistance.
They added that they are saddened by the apparent oversight of the Supreme Court for having suspended Cruz on "hazy grounds."
Cruz, as a member of the Bar, was placed under an indefinite suspension. He is prohibited from practicing his profession until the High Court recalls its April 5, 2005 resolution.
The church group claimed that Cruz is "indisputably an upright lawyer who consistently upheld human rights... as attested by his colleagues and in the Church circle."
Cruz has even received various awards for his meritorious service to the poor.
They added that the lawyer is a victim of judicial and political injustice as the august body did not dispute a single point he raised on its decision over the case the lawyer defended in court but suspended him just the same because they were hurt by telling them their lopsided inclination to favor the "rich and the powerful."
They said that the lawyer's suspension signals a supreme abuse of judicial power and a deliberate deprivation of the materially poor for access to justice had Cruz not been suspended.
The lawyer held a press conference at the Bishop's Palace on Tuesday to air out his sentiments on the SC's decision.
He said he had resigned himself to "taking my suspension to the grave."
He said he is to walk the streets to press for reforms in the judicial system.
Earlier, Bishops Vicente Navarra of Bacolod, Patricio Buzon of Kabankalan and Jose Advincula of San Carlos wrote Chief Justice Hilario Davide asking whether or not the suspension was truly an en banc decision and not just by the Clerk of Court Luzviminda Puno who signed in Davide's behalf.
This letter and other letters to Davide seeking answers to questions raised by Cruz' suspension were subsequently denied in resolutions again signed by Puno.
Cruz said that if the Supreme Court has disciplined lawyers and judges, who will discipline its members if they abuse their powers?
However, Cruz said he is confident that his clients, the poor, will not let him walk the streets alone.
(December 15, 2005 issue)
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