SOUNDING BOARD is an outlet for opinions on good and crazy things going on at home (wherever I may be). All are welcome. You are not expected to bring anything except your common sense & sense of humor.
'If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.'
-Robert X. Cringely (from geek wisdom)
SOUNDING BOARD
Monday, November 03, 2003
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A challenged democracy
It was a disaster waiting to happen. The attempted impeachment against Chief Justice Hilario Davide of the Supreme Court by the Lower House of Congress may have released the Sword of Damocles that could usher in the most critical wound to an already chaotic democracy.
The pride of having successfully overthrown two presidents through 'people power' may have facilitated the Filipinos' acquired inclination to use extraordinary means to effect change in governance. One thing that may have been forgotten along the way is that extraordinary means are meant for extraordinary circumstances. The case being made here is that we have not reached that point that warrants extraordinary means. The 'initiative' of congress may, to some, reflect a working democracy in terms of checks and balances. However, the Constitution mandates the Commission on Audit (COA) to ensure legal and acceptable use of the Judicial Development Fund (JDF). Nevertheless, and granting that even COA's determination of the legality and acceptability of the use of the JDF is questionable, an impeachment proceeding is not necessary at the moment.
I have always believed that development (economic, social and legal) reforms rooted in a strong judicial branch is the best way to go. No matter how chaotic the legislative and executive branches are, swift dispensation of decisions emanating from the Supreme Court down to the lower courts will ensure a solid foundation for reforms. After all, the Supreme Court is the final interpreter of the Constitution.
The inability to strengthen an independent Judicial branch during the past administrations is one of the main factors behind 'development inertia' in the Philippines. There is always hope over the horizon but the penchant for using extraordinary means is one of the factors that could take even the modicum amount of hope left among the people. With this kind of attitude fuelling interest group politics in the Philippines where one group cancels the other, I would not be surprised if, after ten years, the country is still faced with the same basic challenges on governance.
posted by Allan at 11:25 AM (GMT+8)
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