MANILA, Philippines - At the Christmas party of the Liberal Party (LP) Monday night, President Aquino urged his partymates to seize the opportunity to institute reforms in the country as they continue to enjoy the support of the people.
Aquino said he is effecting changes not for himself but for future generations.
He said they must fulfill the promises they made to the people during the election campaign.
“I really have to be able to say that what we will leave is definitely better than what we found,” the President said.
He asked his colleagues to face the challenges in performing their duties.
“When you are given this responsibility, of course the task ahead is not going to be easy. The battle that is looming will not be easy,” he said.
On Monday, when he spoke during the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit held at the Manila Hotel, Aquino took a jab at Chief Justice Renato Corona, questioning the legitimacy of his appointment and noting that the credibility of the Supreme Court (SC).
Corona was appointed by detained former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo days before she was to step down from power, despite warnings from critics and constitutional experts against the “midnight appointment.”
The SC, made up mostly of Arroyo’s appointees, upheld Corona’s appointment.
In his speech, Aquino recited a list of what he considered were questionable decisions of the SC, including its issuance of a temporary restraining order on the travel ban against Arroyo and its declaring as unconstitutional the creation of a truth commission to investigate the alleged irregularities in the Arroyo administration.
Aquino has drawn flak for openly criticizing Corona, who was sitting near him at the event. Several judges and justices describe Aquino’s speech as “quite disturbing.”
The President said that when he accepted the challenge of leading the country, he was already aware of the possible trials and tribulations that would come along with the responsibilities.
“The idea is simple. I accepted this willingly. I know the risks involved. I know the trials and tribulations, at least what to expect, and knowing fully well that the trials and tribulations that will come our way, I committed fully,” he said.
“I want to be able to step down in 2016 and have people tell me that they were satisfied or they were happy with the performance, or that nobody can tell me that the commitment that I willingly undertook I didn’t do,” he added.
During the Christmas party, Aquino also swore into office new members of the LP.
Among those present during the event were Senators Franklin Drilon, Ralph Recto and Francis Pangilinan, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, LP secretary-general and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya and LP president and Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II.
Christmas wishes
Aquino’s Christmas wish for Arroyo is for her to have the opportunity to “rectify herself.”
“Perhaps she can rectify what has been done by helping really achieve the reforms and transformation of society by telling us what exactly was done, how it was done,” he said yesterday at the Bulong Pulungan Christmas party and recognition day for outstanding public servants and private individuals.
Arroyo has been placed under hospital arrest on charges of electoral sabotage.
Aquino also said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office filed a case against her before the Office of the Ombudsman for misuse of funds that was also investigated by the Senate.
During her nine-year term, Arroyo issued Executive Order 464 to stop her officials from attending congressional inquiries on alleged anomalies of her administration. She was also able to thwart impeachment raps against her by mustering the support of her allies at the House of Representatives, thereby preventing the Senate from holding an impeachment trial.
She and her allies were accused of rigging the results of the 2004 and 2007 elections and committing acts of corruption.
There were attempts to unseat her through mutiny and rebellion by the military and other individuals, but she enjoyed the support of Catholic bishops who discouraged her ouster even after 10 of her Cabinet members — known as the Hyatt 10 — resigned to pressure her to step down from power.
“She was given an opportunity to lead our country for nine and a half years. I was in the opposition; I don’t think she led us properly,” Aquino said.
For himself, the President said he wants to continue to receive the goodwill and support of the people.
“That is really such a tremendous gift and I hope to be deserving of the same… I think our people are really driving this whole administration towards that goal of an improved society,” he said.
Articulation of public frustration
Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Ronald Llamas said Aquino’s harsh sentiments towards the judiciary are a reflection of how a majority of Filipinos feel.
He said Aquino’s remarks were only a way of “articulating overwhelming public frustration.”
“The President’s remarks should be viewed as an honest and sincere effort to remind the Chief Justice and the other members of the judicial system that his administration is duty-bound to uphold the rule of law and due process,” he said.
He said that a majority of the population feel that the SC is accountable only to Arroyo.
Llamas said the prosecution of Arroyo is meant to “send a strong message to our people and the international community that we are unswervingly on the side of justice and the rule of law.”
Sen. Francis Escudero, meanwhile, called on Aquino and Corona to settle their differences before the year ends to remove distractions to public service.
Escudero suggested that the President and Chief Justice sit down with leaders of Congress in the Judicial-Executive and Legislative Advisory Council (JELAC) to sort out their differences in private.
“The President was merely voicing out the sentiments of many people. He was not starting a fight or (being) disrespectful but was just reminding the Supreme Court about the complaints of the people (on the institution),” Escudero said in Filipino.
He said the rift between the two branches of government is not healthy and should be settled right away.
“I hope that this ends soon. It would be sad to have this continue during the term of President Aquino because public service will be affected,” Escudero said.
He commended Corona for keeping his composure after hearing the President’s speech. He also said allegations that Corona was an avid supporter of Arroyo were overblown.
He said Corona cannot dictate on the entire Supreme Court on his own because the justices decide on cases separately.
“I do not believe that he can dictate on the entire Court. Let’s give them some credit,” he said. – With Delon Porcalla, Marvin Sy - By Aurea Calica
