Tuesday, November 07, 2006 Seares: Chief Justice Miriam Santiago By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
Many people abhor Sen. Miriam Santiago being appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court.
But those opposed to her appointment can no longer say, “Don’t even think about it.” Her name is now in the short list of nominees submitted to President Arroyo.
Look at the issues against her appointment.
She’s not from within the Supreme Court. She’s high-strung, often agitated, and shrill. She’s severely politicized.
Nobody talks against her intelligence. But opposition use “excessive” intellect as downside rather than asset.
As to her being an outsider, that is no disqualification. Not anyway to President Arroyo who sometimes doesn’t bother with tradition if she thinks it will help keep “enemies of the state” at bay.
Quirks
How about personal quirks that drive political foes angry enough to question, especially during elections, her mental state?
But then there’s no one in high public office who’s officially certified as mentally fit. Inmates discharged from a mental hospital, with their papers to prove sanity, are better off.
Think of boredom banished by a chief justice with vigorous command of the English language laced with some foreign accent and a temper that needs little pricking to burst. What interesting times ahead in the High Court.
One thing President Glo might worry about though: She might be unleashing a weapon of destruction against which even the Palace won’t be safe.
