Good Morning Judge: Sentinel of Justice

THE nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to sit as Associate Member of the U.S. Supreme Court which is being heard by the U.S. Congress Judicial Committee has brought to the fore the importance given by the US government in judicial appointment. Latest reports show that the While House has given the Federal Bureau of Investigation clearance to interview anyone it wants to in its investigation of sexual misconduct against the Supreme Court nominee. We note this event as we recall the controversial selection of Chief Justice Teresita de Castro by her peers in the Supreme Court as Chief Justice despite her having voted for the removal of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno by way of Quo Warranto Proceedings instead of Impeachment as mandated by the Constitution. It may be recalled that Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio declined to assume the sit vacated by Justice de Castro as he did not believe in the process of selection as to him the constitutional mandate of Impeachment should have been observed in the removal of then Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno. Reports are that Chief Justice Teresita de Castro will retire in a few days. Among those being mentioned as probable Chief Justice to assume the post to be vacated by CJ Teresita de Castro is Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. With him at the helm of the Highest Court of the Land, there is no doubt that the Supreme Court under his tutelage will truly be a sentinel of justice. The arrogant acts of OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III who refused to remove his shoes at the NAIA when required to do so by airport security officers as required by airport regulations is demeaning. That the Committee on Ethics of Congress is reported to be conducting an investigation of the incident is indeed called for. We recall how the daughter of former President Corazon Aquino would reportedly cue the line at the NAIA and refused to be accorded the VIP treatment to get her boarding pass. TRIVIA: Greetings to Congressman Sal Fortuno of the 5th Congressional District of Camarines Sur whom we chanced upon at the Naga Airport last September 30 when we saw off our daughter Gigi who is returning back to Metro Manila after her regular monthly visit to us in Naga. Congressman Sal and I were together as members of the Sanguniang Panlalawigan then when there were only two congressional districts in Camarines Sur. Greetings also to former Camarines Sur Governor and former Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte whom we met at the Rai Rai Ken restaurant at SM Naga. Louie is a fellow alumnus at the Ateneo de Naga University who was a member of high school batch ‘52. With his new hairdo and facelift he looks much younger than his age. We heard from print and broadcast media that he is rooting for the abolition of the Partido Development Authority and for the re-election of his grandson Migs Villafuerte. From the looks of it, Congressmen Noli Fuentebella and Rolando Andaya, Jr., the latter reportedly running for governor of the province are on the same political fence this time against the Villafuertes. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “EXTREMISM IN THE DEFENSE OF LIBERTY IS NO VICE ... MODERATION IN THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE IS NO VIRTUE.” BARRY GOLDWATER FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “FAITH WITHOUT CHARITY BEARS NO FRUIT WHILE CHARITY WITHOUT FAITH WOULD BE A SENTIMENT CONSTANTLY AT THE MERCY OF DOUBT.” POPE BENEDICT XVI