Willing tool

Another nail was driven in the coffin of democracy yesterday. The granting of the quo warranto petition to remove the Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno signals another serious regression in the system of checks and balance in the country.

It is another act of tyranny that only empowers the Executive, while further undermining whatever is left of the separation of powers of the three co-equal branches of government.

Constitutional safeguards have been demolished in favor of those who already wield tremendous power.

The people reject in the strongest terms this unjust decision of the High Court. What was really on trial here were all three branches of government.

The Executive maneuvered to remove the Chief Justice and consolidate its control over all the branches.

The Legislative embarked on a fishing expedition via impeachment hearings to destroy the reputation of the Chief Justice.

The Supreme Court exposed itself as a willing tool in undermining judicial independence because they had an ax to grind against the Chief Justice.

All three branches of government have failed the people. All three branches only exposed the rottenness of the current ruling system. There will be a time for accountability.

Right now, the people are justified in their indignation. The people are right to protest the rising tyranny of the Duterte regime.

In these dark times, the people are called on to stand together and resist.--Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

As the elections near

In a few days, Filipinos of voting age will troop to the polling precincts to elect the officials who will sit in various positions in the barangays. But the electorate must see to it that those that they will be voting upon are qualified, meaning they are capable their moral integrity is above board.

Those who are involved in illegal drugs and other illegal activities must be shunned and those who are immoral or have “kabit” or livein partners must also be avoided. If they have the temerity to deceive their better-halves, how much more the people in the barangay?

We must also remember the words of Saint Augustine, who said, “Wrong is wrong even if everybody is doing it. Right is right even if nobody is doing it.”

It is therefore wrong for a candidate to give money just because his opponent is doing it, or for a voter to receive cash or favor from a candidate just because everybody is doing it. hat act runs counter to Saint Augustine’s admonition.

We must always listen to the voice within.--Jose Goc-ong Hortelano of Balamban, Cebu

Road Work

Eleksyon na gyud kay atng mga maayo nga dalan gipangguba aron ayuhon.--Jay