Press Release
March 17, 2010

Villar disappointed at SC decision

Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar yesterday expressed sadness over the decision of the Supreme Court allowing President Gloria Arroyo to appoint the next chief justice, but said a reconsideration of the ruling is still possible.

"Nalulungkot ako sa desisyon ng Supreme Court. Pero ang SC ang may final say diyan. Kung makakapaghabol pa, titingnan natin kung makakasama tayo sa paghahabol," Villar told reporters during his sortie in Cavite.

(I'm saddened by the Supreme Court decision. But SC has the final say. If it can still be pursued, we will see what can be done.)

Villar maintained it would have been better if the issue of the appointment of the next chief justice were left to the next president.

He said he is counting on the petitioners in the case, including the Philippine Bar Association, chapters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the National Union of Philippine Lawyers, to file immediately their motions for recommendation before the high tribunal.

Nine justices - Lucas Bersamin, Jose Perez, Roberto Abad, Martin Villarama, Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Arturo Brion, Jose Mendoza, Mariano del Castillo, and Diosdado Peralta - voted in favor of President Arroyo's appointment of the next chief justice while one justice, Conchita Carpio Morales, dissented.

Two justices, Eduardo Nachura and Presbiterio Velasco, called the case premature while Chief Justice Reynato Puno, and Justices Antonio Carpio and Renato Corona, inhibited themselves from the voting.

Puno is retiring on May 17 this year. His retirement sparked a legal tussle between Malacañang and critics of President Arroyo who said a constitutional ban on appointments during an election period prevented her from appointing a new chief justice.

News Latest News Feed