Insider needed for wounded Supreme Court—Justice Abad
A wounded Supreme Court may need one of its own—not an outsider—to lead in the healing process.
Associate Justice Roberto Abad told the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Wednesday that the ouster of Chief Justice Renato Corona had damaged the high tribunal.
“We have a wounded court after the impeachment trial,” the 68-year-old Abad said on the second day of the nationally televised hearing to choose Corona’s successor.
One of the senior justices of the Supreme Court, Abad said that if he were chosen Chief Justice, he would begin the process of reconciliation.
“You cannot have healing without forgiveness,” he said under questioning by Representative Niel Tupas, the much-criticized head of the House prosecution team.
Tupas said he thought the impeachment was a healthy exercise because it allowed the prosecution team to elicit evidence against Corona during his trial, referring to the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth that a senator-judge, Franklin Drilon, drew from a Supreme Court witness.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Abad’s statement was a “sales pitch from an insider,” dousing speculation that a senior justice at the helm of the high tribunal over the short term could defuse the debilitating fallout from the ouster of Corona.
“Are we prepared to accept the premise that it is a wounded court? From the point of view of the executive branch, I think we reformed (the Supreme Court). It is the first step in judicial reform. So, we don’t necessarily follow that it is a wounded court. In fact, it’s part of our advocacy for reform,” Lacierda said.
Also interviewed Wednesday were Associate Justice Arturo D. Brion, Election Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, veteran lawyer Rafael Morales, former University of the Philippines law dean Raul Pangalangan and retired Bulacan Judge Manuel Siayngco.
2 disqualified
The JBC announced Wednesday that it had disqualified former Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez and private lawyer Vicente Velasquez as nominees for their failure to comply with documentary requirements, cutting the number of nominees to 20.
Six nominees, including Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, were interviewed on Tuesday, leaving eight more to undergo questioning. The council is expected to recommend a short list of three candidates from which the President will chose the country’s 24th Chief Justice.
Abad said that while he was appointed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the high court, he said he had voted against her, pointing out that he was among the minority who upheld President Benigno Aquino’s executive order creating the Philippine Truth Commission. The order was declared unconstitutional.
He also said he joined the Masses expressing support for Corona during his impeachment trial and that he visited him when he was hospitalized after his testimony in the Senate in May for hypoglycemia, a dizziness spell symptomatic of a diabetic. “I’m a person who does not discard a friend when he is in trouble,” he said.
Abad dismissed Tupas’ suggestions that the Supreme Court under Corona was bedeviled by factionalism. “Even when the Chief Justice takes a position, he loses a lot of cases,” he averred.
Graft and corruption
Brion, 65, acknowledged that the Supreme Court was hobbled by perceptions of graft and corruption and inefficiency.
Corruption is not only purely a judiciary problem but a societal problem, he said. “There are a lot of very ‘clean’ ones in the judiciary,” he said, adding that the problem of corruption must be addressed by the three branches of government working together.
Brion admitted that the backlog of cases, some pending for as long as 10 years, was a “serious problem” that contributed to the erosion of public trust in the judiciary.
“Our old cases are frightening. You’ll get an asthma attack just by opening (the files),” he said.
Morales and Pangalangan told the JBC that their experience made them capable of being at the helm of the high tribunal.
With 37 years in legal practice and 15 years as law professor, Morales said he was “willing, ready and able to go to public service.”
Morales, 61, said that if he were appointed Chief Justice, his priorities would be to fill up vacancies in the judiciary which he described as “undermanned,” raise salaries to attract more people and work for the increase of the budgetary allocation of the judiciary.
“I will approach each of the justices and appeal to their sense of patriotism and extend their cooperation to me in the interest of the country and the judicial system.”
Changes since ouster
Pangalangan, 53, noted changes in the judiciary since Corona’s ouster.
“Just to show the effect of the impeachment trial: Had it not been for that event, no outsider will be even sitting before the JBC to be considered for this office. No outsider would have the nerve to accept the nomination because it’s too much of a burden … but because of those events, here we are,” he said.
Sarmiento shrugged off allegations that he was involved in cheating in the 2007 senatorial elections in Mindanao, saying he had been cleared by Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes and the justice secretary.
Asked why he was vying for the Chief Justice position, he said this would be a “big chance to serve the country,” adding that the job called for not only “a visionary but a leader and CEO, an all-out and all-seasoned public servant.”
Sarmiento said he had practiced law for the past 26 years, handling criminal, civil and labor cases.
On his independence, he said he had given dissenting opinions on six to seven cases, including one involving Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, a son of former President Arroyo, as head of the party-list group Ang Galing Pinoy. He said he did not believe Mikey was a representative of security guards in the country.
“I stopped dreaming of a promotion in the Court of Appeals and Sandiganbayan after six attempts,” Siayngco told the council. He said contending for the post of chief magistrate would be a chance for him to show “moral integrity, probity, independence.” He said the chief magistrate “should also have a heart that bleeds for the miseries of the people.”
“I do believe that I have that from my experience as a lower court judge,” Siayngco said.
Good picnic spots can be found in some of the best resorts in Pampanga. The good resorts and hotels in Clark Philippines offer safe and clean outdoor facilities for family bonding and picnics. For many reasons Manila families and residents of Angeles City Pampanga as well as Subic and Baguio consider Clearwater as one of the best resorts in Pampanga and certainly the best hotel in Clark Philippines. Guests of this child friendly resort in Clark Pampanga often relax and unwind by the beautiful lake and beach. Hotel accommodation is also available here in this resort in Clark. Function room for meetings and seminars is also available in this popular resort in Clark Philippines. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays.
Angeles SOCA
ANGELES CITY — Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, on his second State of the City Address (Soca), said his administration surpassed last year’s performance and added that the best is yet to come for this urbanized city.
While thanking former friends and critics for challenging him to do better, Pamintuan said his administration fulfilled most of his eight-point agenda program under his administration.
http://balibago.org/
Provincial road collapses anew
PAMPANGA — The Sta. Ana-Magalang provincial road along the portion of Barangay San Agustin in Sta. Ana town has collapsed again after two days of heavy rains.
The residents said the road was damaged due to strong water current from upstream. Strong rains resulted to the breaching of the Matubig creek here, affecting residents from Barangay San Agustin, San Roque, including San Pablo in the said town.
http://balibago.org/
Governor bares P100-M budget for calamity
PAMPANGA — Governor Lilia Pineda bared that the Provincial Government still has an available calamity fund amounting to more than P100 million.
She said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), together with concerned departments, has been preparing for the rainy season for more than a year.
http://balibago.org/Best Restaurant in Clark Pampanga unveils regional dinner menu featuring the classic cuisine of Italy, all designed to pair nicely with fine vintage wines from Italy’s wine regions such as Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto and Sicily, one more reasons for food and wine lovers to travel to Angeles City, Clark Philippines to satisfy their thirst for a wonderful meal at a fine dining restaurant, the best place to eat in Pampanga.
Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.
The new regional set menus rolled out recently by the best restaurant in Clark Pampanga stirred up renewed interest among visitors from Manila for real fine dining treat in Clark Pampanga as wine lovers from Subic, Tarlac, Manila, Angeles City, Clark Pampanga Philippines wine and dine at Yats Restaurant to enjoy good food paired with fine vintage wines from the wine cellars of this highly recommended resto bar in Pampanga
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila. Yats Restaurant is one of the good restaurants in Pampanga, a restaurant with good food, a place that is nice for celebration, ideal for business dinner meeting, a good place to enjoy family reunion, and an attractive restaurant that serves good wines for dinner.
Visitors come from Manila, Angeles City, Pampanga, Subic and Clark Philippines to enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner at Yats Restaurant. Many guests order excellent white wine from the award-winning restaurant wine list of this famous fine dining restaurant in Clark. Favorite wine orders for guests in this restaurant include Chablis, Chassagne-Montrachet, Sancerre, Chardonnay of Chile’s Casa Lapastolle, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and South Africa, Rose from Anjou, Pinot Noir from USA and Burgundy France and the all-time favorite, Meursault. A wide range of sparkling wine and Champagne is available also in this restaurant in Pampanga which is famous for its selection of vintage wines. Popular choices of guests in this restaurant include Paul Bara Champagne, Crement de Bourgogne, MUMM Cuvee Napa Sparkling wine, Prosecco and Cava.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Pampanga? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
Trailer 2
Best restaurant in Clark Pampanga for private dinners and celebrations is Yats Restaurant, top rated resto bar frequently visited by food and wine lovers from Manila, Subic, Tarlac, Bulacan, Angeles City and Clark Philippines.
New ideas bring more guests to dine at the best restaurant in Pampanga as Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar unveils sumptuous regional set menus aimed at pairing well with fine vintage wines from each culinary region in the world; many consider Yats as the best restaurant in Clark Philippines, and a good place to wine and dine when visiting Subic, Tarlac and Angeles City Pampanga.
Yats Restaurant is an excellent Restaurant to dine, a restaurant with good food, a good place to have birthday party and special events. A Kid-friendly restaurants in Manila
Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occasions
Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila. Yats Restaurant is one of the good restaurants in Pampanga, a restaurant with good food, a place that is nice for celebration, ideal for business dinner meeting, a good place to enjoy family reunion, and an attractive restaurant that serves good wines for dinner.
Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.
Frequent visitors traveling from Manila to wine and dine at the best restaurant in Pampanga grow tired of heavy dishes involving red meat, pasta and cheeses. More and more, weight watchers, health-conscious eaters and restaurant guests with sophisticated palates request for more delicate dishes. Hot and humid climates of summer months cause guests of this fine dining restaurant in Clark to look for a good place to eat seafood. Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar which is generally known as the best restaurant near Manila rises to the challenge and offers a line of exciting seafood dishes using sophisticated ingredients such as barracuda, grey mullet, Atlantic Mackerel and flounders. Mussels and clams also play a role in the expanded seafood menu of this top rated restaurant in Clark.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
For any assistance in planning and organizing a wedding ceremony, indoor or outdoor garden reception or to find other wedding service providers, Click here to contact us click here
For assistance in hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines, log on to
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
To inquire with the highly recommended beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com
For more information about Clark, Pampanga, Philippines log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!