THE impeachment complaint against newly-appointed Chief Justice Teresita de Castro and six other Supreme Court justices is doomed to failure and the complainants know that. They do not have the numbers, not in the Committee on Justice which is tasked to determine the complaint’s sufficiency in form and substance and certainly not in the House itself where a 1/3 vote is required to approve the articles of impeachment which will be forwarded to the Senate for trial.
So what is the point of the whole exercise? When you embark on an adventure that, you know, is certain to fail, what does that say about your person and your motive? The never-say-die attitude is admirable but I think the complainants, who are all members of Congress, should have better use for their time than chase their impossible dream.
De Castro is now the chief justice, whether we like it or not. Her critics should accept that reality and, to quote De Castro herself, move on. We should give her a chance to prove that she is not what many suspect she will be: beholden to President Duterte and therefore will act according to his bidding.
She is due to retire in less than two months and is likely to put more importance on the legacy that she will leave over anything else. Come to think of it, she might just turn out to be a most pleasant surprise even to her most bitter critics.
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Mayor Tomas Osmeña came to the succor of two constituents who were in trouble with the law. He could be in bigger trouble himself, as a result.
It is interesting to know how Osmeña obtained custody of the two arrested men. Did he threaten the police? Or did he request them nicely to release the detainees on his recognizance and they relented?
It is not enough to say that the police officers were intimidated by his presence because he is the mayor. Policemen are presumed to be of sterner stuff especially when discharging their functions. They should have resisted and even arrested Osmeña if, in their judgment, he was obstructing justice.
Still, their meekness offers no refuge for Osmeña. He interfered in a purely police matter and has to face the consequences, whatever they may be.
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We were in Anda, Bohol during the extended weekend and were pleasantly surprised over how the town has managed to keep its natural charm despite the growing presence of investors who were attracted by its tourism potential.
I was in Anda four years ago, staying in a beach resort that has since been acquired by a Cebu-based businessman. The Tings, which own the Park Lane Hotel, had also purchased a resort, the East Coast White Sand Resort. Alan, one of the owners and who acted as our guide, said they’re fully booked most of the time and are building an additional 68 rooms to accommodate more guests.
Alan brought us to Lamanok, a mangrove that can be accessed by foot during low tide. We had to paddle our way though but it was fun especially since it rained on our way back.
Traveling to Anda takes a little over three hours, one hour and a half from Pier 3 to Tubigon and two hours’ drive to Anda.