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How the Supreme Court decided on key public interest issues
By BULATLAT STAFF
An independent judiciary is integral in a democratic society. After the ouster of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos, the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution included provisions guarding freedoms fought for by those who resisted the former dictator.
While safeguards against another tyrannical rule have been inserted in the highest law of the land, administrations after Marcos attempted to cling on to power. Even as the Constitution explicitly states the civilian authority is supreme over the military, succeeding administrations still resorted to militarist approach in dealing with social injustices. Some of the Martial Law era doctrines have remained, and are being used against critics and ordinary folk.
Published December 15, 2020, 4:54 PM
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, on Tuesday said he is not sure what International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda actually meant by “reasonable basis to believe” on crimes against humanity supposedly committed in President Duterte’s War on Drugs.
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
But his skepticism contrasts sharply with the opposition’s generally favorable review of her findings.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, who is also Liberal Party president, said the ICC finding ‘’doesn’t come as a surprise. It is a bit troubling though that it took them over four years of daily killings to find ‘reasonable basis’,’’ he added.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Loretta Ann Rosales labeled President Duterte as the biggest enemy of human rights while the world commemorates Human Rights Day on Thursday, December 10.
In his Thursday presser, Roque said the Palace understands that the CHR and other human rights groups call out governments because they want them to comply with the law.
“Matagal ko nang nakasama si Chair Etta (Rosales). Lahat naman ng Presidente sinasabihan niya (I have worked with Chair Etta and she tells the same thing to all presidents),” he said.