As many have pointed out, impeachment is a political process. As such, over the many months the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte was “debated” there was not much in the way of any higher rationale behind it other than the personal loyalties of the opposing partisan camps. As such, it was only fitting that a non-political body, the Philippine Supreme Court, make the call. Enough is enough.
The SC voted 13-0-2, with the Justices present voting unanimously to grant the petitions to annul the Articles of Impeachment, and Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa inhibiting and Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh on leave.
The Decision, written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, ruled that all legal issues involving impeachment proceedings are subject to judicial review, “considering the nature of the offices and the institutions that are subject to impeachment, its effect on the independence of constitutional departments and organs, and its nature as a constitutional process.”
It puts a close to months of pointless distraction from more pressing concerns. It was months of embarassing Filipino-style battle between the small-minded members of cults-of-personality. No ideology or principles at stake. Just personal loyalties. This, in the midst of a world on the brink of a third world war, technological upheaval, and economic transformation. Filipinos should be ashamed of their collective pettiness.
As expected, “thought leaders” of the Yellowtard-Communist Axis are up in arms over this “injustice”. The call following a court decision that goes against their preferred outcome is all-too-familiar. “But when the court of last resort fails, we are reminded of a hard truth: theirs is not always the last word, and the streets have always been our true last resort,” screeches ‘political scientist’ Cleve Arguelles in a tweet mirroring the predictable thoughts of a long-discredited political camp.
The usual predictable call for illegitimate street action is in the cards again.
Indeed, for the Yellowtards and commies, it comes down to a bow to either a street “revolution” or a foreign court when things don’t quite go their way. It’s no wonder they no longer get to have nice things. Spoilt brats may be cute as toddlers but, as adults, best that they be ignored.
benign0 is the Webmaster of GetRealPhilippines.com.