March 17, 2010 - Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino today lamented the Supreme Court decision allowing Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the next Chief Justice. Palatino.

Kabataan Partylist, together with law students from the University of the Philippines College of Law, held a protest rally inside the campus today.

“We are worried about the Supreme Court decision because it would mean Arroyo can now control the Supreme Court. An Arroyo-appointment would taint the sanctity and independence of the high court. Any appointment she makes will be flawed and suspect.”

The youth solon said that the appointment of the next chief justice should be done by the next president.

“The next chief justice, his or her independence and non-partisanship, will have great implications when Arroyo’s term ends this May. The appointment of a midnight chief justice despite its unconstitutionality reeks of Arroyo’s desperation to escape accountability from all cases of plunder, corruption, human rights violations and other cases against her,” he said.

A midnight chief justice, Palatino said, would be “the last nail to seal the coffin that is Arroyo’s perpetuation into power.”

Out of the 15 present members of the Supreme Court, only outgoing Chief Justice Puno is not appointed by Arroyo.

“All 14 other members were appointed by her. The appointment of the next Chief Justice will only give Arroyo the power to control and consolidate the judiciary for her own interests.” ###