The Supreme Court’s “deep concern” over the neglect of the Constitution in discussions on national issues was expressed yesterday by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno in her message at the 117th Independence Day celebration in front of the Bonifacio Shrine in Caloocan City.
The Chief Justice, calling the “apparent neglect” a challenge to the judiciary, did not specify the national issues she was referring to. Recently, there have been many spirited discussions in Congress and in the private sectors related to the move to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution and to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Since she assumed the post of Chief Justice, Sereno has been very careful in specifying issues that are hotly contested since these may be elevated to the SC for adjudication.
“You know our deep concern is that, sometimes, our Constitution is not being considered very seriously in the discussions that are going on in other branches of government and maybe even in some sectors,” she told journalists.
“So our duty is to ensure that everything that comes out is always in accordance with the Constitution…The challenge for the SC is always to look at the Constitution intently,” she said.
“That is the key message for this day, on the part of the judiciary,” she said.
Quoting Gat Andres Bonifacio, the Chief Justice said:, “Ipaglaban po natin ang ating karapatan at ating Constitution, upang mapangalagaan ang ating mamamayan.”
MANILA BULLETIN
