Yt Framework

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do…” (Ephesians 2:10, the Holy Bible).

EIGHT CANDIDATES FOR NEXT CJ KNOWN: The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is submitting a list of eight names to President Aquino from which he could choose who is going to be the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

The eight names are: Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justices Roberto Abad, Maria Lourdes Sereno, Arturo Brion and Teresita Leonardo De Casto, Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, former San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, and former Ateneo Law Dean Cesar Villanueva.

GOD’S ANOINTED WILL BE APPOINTED CJ: Who will be appointed? He or she who will find favor with God, of course. Indeed, there are a lot of aspirants, but only he or she who is anointed by God will get the position. As for me, I am praying real hard that he or she who has the spirit of God in him or her, or he or she who has the fear and love of God in his or her heart, will be blessed with the position come August 29, 2012, the 90-day deadline in the 1987 Constitution.

If someone who has a dark heart and who has no love and fear of God in him or her will be appointed, a darker future awaits not just the entire judiciary, but the entire country as well. In that eventuality, may the heavens have mercy on us all.

CAVEAT: ALL IS NOT LOST YET FOR DE LIMA? If it is true that Malacanang worked hard for the inclusion of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima in the JBC list ---to enable her to be chosen as the next and, historically speaking, the first woman, Chief Justice of the Philippines---can it be possible that President Aquino just appoint an acting Chief Justice on August 29 while the disbarment cases against her are still being “worked out” in the meantime?

Is there anything in the 1987 Constitution which says that the person to be appointed within the 90 day period from the time the position of Chief Justice became vacant should be given a permanent appointment? Or, as its present wording seems to imply, what the Constitution merely requires is the appointment of someone, even if only in a temporary capacity?

To guide all of us here is what Section 4 (1), Article 8 of the Constitution says: “Section 4 (1)The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or in its discretion, in division of three, five, or seven Members. Any vacancy shall be filled within ninety days from the occurrence thereof.” So, here’s a caveat to all interested: watch out, all is not lost yet for De Lima, it seems!

BELMONTE RETURNING AS QC MAYOR IN 2013: There is a talk spreading like wildfire in Quezon City these days, saying that House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is giving up his congressional seat in 2013 to return as mayor. Many are citing the fact that most of the infrastructure projects in the city’s four districts today bear huge billboards and posters announcing they are projects of Belmonte. What about Mayor Herbert Bautista? He will represent Belmonte’s district instead.

“KILUSANG KORTESIYA SA KAPWA”: There ought to be some rule or regulation at the Land Transportation Office (LT) which will require all applicants for drivers’ licenses to memorize at least one verse of the Bible, or of the Koran for Muslims, or of any other holy book from any other religion, dealing with courtesy or giving way to others, before any license is issued. This way, we educate drivers to be more civil and courteous on the road. What do you think?

REACTIONS? Please call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193 or 0922 833 43 96. Email: batasmauricio@yahoo.com.

BY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO