Chief Justice assures Laserna of independence of Judiciary

Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, speaking thru his spokesman, J. M. P. Marquez, recently assured me that he will not allow his membership in the controversial Judicial, Executive and Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council (JELAC) to diminish the independence of the Judiciary. I am not satisfied and happy with his assurance. The great legal minds of contemporary Philippine legal scene have taken a position similar to mine, e.g. Ex Senate Pres. Jovito Salonga, Ex Chief Justice Art Panganiban, constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas. I am reproducing below the letter of Mr. Marquez, for reference of the readers, to wit:

Republic of the Philippines

Supreme Court

Manila

FROM THE DESK OF:

ATTY. JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ

ASSISTANT COURT ADMINISTRATOR

CHIEF, PUBLIC INFROMATION OFFICE

CHIEF OF STAFF, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE

19 May 2008

ATTY. MANUEL LASERNA, JR.

Founder and Chairman

Las Pinas City Bar Association

Unit 15, Star Arcade, C.V. Starr Avenue

Philamlife Village

Las Pinas City 1743

Dear Atty. Laserna:

Thank you for your letter dated 16 May 2008 addressed to the Honorable Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno manifesting your “thoughts, if not misgivings,” about the membership of the Chief Justice in the JELAC.

The membership of the Chief Justice (and another Supreme Court Justice) in the JELAC, including your views and concern, was already thoroughly considered and passed upon by the Court en banc last year. Rest assured that the Chief Justice will not allow the independence of the Court to be diminished nor impaired. Upon his assumption to office, the Chief justice committed “to espouse no ideology but constitutionalism; to uphold no theology but the rule of law.” The Chief Justice remains firm to his commitment, and will do so until the end of his term.

Sincerely yours,

JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZ