Students call to defend Judicial independence
Around 100 students converge in the Oblation statue Monday (19 January 2009) to condemn what is believed to be machinations to “undermine the independence of the Judiciary.”
Armed with placards and lighted candles, the protesters denounced the planned impeachment of Chief Justice Reynato Puno (Law ‘62) as serious moves to serve “partisan, selfish, and unpatriotic interests.”
Initiated by the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity – UP College of Law, the candle-lighting highlighted the need for the youth to remain vigilant in defending the independence of the Supreme Court as the “last bastion of democracy.”
“We are calling for the defense of the Chief Justice not necessarily because he is our Fraternity Brother, but because he embodies what the Judiciary needs – credibility, integrity, unsullied independence, and probity.”
Aside from the candle-lighting, a petition of support is being circulated around campus so that students can show their individual commitments and support to the defense of the Judiciary. But organizers were quick to point out that this signature drive is different from moves to draft the Chief Justice as President in the 2010 elections.
“While we respect moves by certain organizations to draft the Chief Justice as a presidential candidate in 2010 – for us a clear sign of his integrity and moral uprightness – we wish to dissociate ourselves with those moves. Defending Judicial independence should not be marred by narrow partisan politics and vested interests.”
Attending the candle-lighting are students led by Student Regent Shahana Abdulwahid. The students come from various colleges in the University, including the College of Law and the National College of Public Administration. Different organizations and student political parties showed their solidarity by sending their representatives. ##