Old and New Faces in Aquino administration

Government agencies which enjoyed minimal public approbation and traditionally perceived as corrupt, would now be under the administration of former or previous Cabinet members. I really don't know if this would help pursue what Noynoy promised during the campaign period--that he would rid government of graft and corruption. Consider...

Ramos man Guillermo Parayno, former revenue commissioner who served during Arroyo's time, is being recycled to head the Customs department. Everyone knows how dirty this agency is, and I am very sad that this agency will now be headed by a "player", who comes from BIR, another agency with a very low tolerance to graft and corrupt practices.

Kim Henares, a Parayno bosom buddy, is expected to head the Bureau of Internal Revenue. So, there will be two powerful names in the Aquino administration--Parayno-Henares. How then would we expect these two secretaries to do balance or systems check to each other when they are buddies?

Secretary Ping de Jesus, a former Erap Cabinet member, is being tapped to head the Department of Transportation and Communication.

Cesar Purisima, who also resigned during Arroyo's time, will head the Finance department, the post he left when he joined the Hyatt 10. Expect the same finance policies under Arroyo to be implemented in Aquino's administration.

Former water executive Rogelio Singson will head the Department of Public Works and Highways. How in the hell was Singson appointed or even considered, knowing that he came from a utility company controlled by the Ayalas? (ERRATUM:1. In my previous entry, I said Maynilad is owned by the Lopezes. Wrong. Maynilad is now AYALA-owned. Sorry for the mixup.).

New names were also named by Aquino:

Instead of Dr. Alip, a veteran trapo from Quezon province by the name of Cong. Alcala was named Department of Agriculture secretary.

Leila de Lima, the tough cookie who once headed the Human Rights Commission, is now head of the Justice department. De Lima is the only appointee deserving of the post.

While Bertie Lim of the Makati Business Club (MBC) will head the tourism portfolio. Bertie Lim is the brother of the Probe team head.

It is now being bruited about that Noynoy will personally head the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), a probable compromise with Vice President Jejomar Binay.

The principle of Stare decisis in the CJ appointment issue

Stare decisis et non quieta movere. This is one of the legal principles by which Philippine jurisprudence rests.

The issue of Mrs. Arroyo's appointment of the Chief Justice should be respected by all, simply because the Supreme Court has said its piece and by that, all parties are required to obey it. Call it a midnight appointment. Call it a desperate move. Call it a self-preservation tactic. Fact is, the Highest Tribunal has said its piece and allowed an exiting president to appoint a successor even during the election period. Whether or not that ruling was erroneous, the fact is simply, the Highest Court said so, and as a member of the Philippine bar, every one who respects the law must recognize that this is now part of lex terrae or the law of the land. 

Chief Justice Renato Corona's appointment does not violate any law, according to the Supreme Court. Hence, by all means, it is legal. It might not be entirely moral or ethical, but it is simply legal. 

In the minds of certain quarters, especially the Firm, the decision was wrong. And since the Firm has a direct and firm stake at Aquino's candidacy, it has every single right to try and reverse the ruling using the Executive department as its platform.

Wrong. Crap. Bull. 

The Supreme Court is a co-equal branch of government. It is independent. What Aquino and the Firm planned to do is pressure or force the Court to abide. Democracy does not operate this way. Democracy is about respect. Democracy is about free choice. 

The incoming Chief Executive and his legal factotums may have a differing view of this thing but it is simply the height of tyranny that they try to muster dissent over something which has been decided firmly and with finality. Tradition states that respect should be accorded the Court, otherwise, how then will the justice system be respected by all?

This is also, not a tit-for-tat game, that the Court did this against the People, so the People has the right to do this also against the Court. 

This is also a direct affront against democratic principles to allow a mere law firm to force its weight down upon the Highest Court. 

It would have been a very good issue yet, the fact that the Firm is in the thick of things and is leading the charge, smells of rat dung.