Suspicions about the changing political links, loyalties and hidden agenda of “The Firm” (formerly known as the “Carpio Villaraza Cruz Law Offices”) which is the former law firm of Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Avelino Cruz (former presidential legal counsel and defense secretary of Pres. Gloria Arroyo) and Simeon Marcelo (former Ombudsman appointed by Pres. Arroyo), continue to haunt the said law firm and its major personalities.
See an example below.
The said law office is the modern version of Accra Law (one of the top and biggest law firms in the country) which reigned during the martial law years of deposed Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in terms of political networking and influence.
Marcelo’s fight: law firm positioning for power
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:39:00 05/11/2010
THIS IS IN RESPONSE to the news report titled “Lawyers in final attempt to stop CJ nomination.” (Inquirer, 5/3/10)
Former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo is a brilliant lawyer but he is not the best person to launch this “last-ditch attempt” to reopen the Supreme Court decision on the appointment of the next chief justice (CJ).
Marcelo can cite the Constitution chapter and verse, but everybody knows that he is also the former law partner of Justice Antonio Carpio, the person who stands to benefit should the CJ appointment be delayed.
Carpio stands no chance to be appointed by President Macapagal-Arroyo. Indeed he has taken his name off the list. On the other hand, if the CJ appointment is deferred and reserved for the next president, Carpio will at least have a fighting chance, and a very good chance indeed under a President Noynoy Aquino. One of the main legal advisers of Aquino is Avelino Cruz, currently Marcelo’s own law partner.
Marcelo invokes the rule of law and separation of powers, but the plain fact is that the main beneficiary of these solemn pleas is his own law firm. If Carpio becomes chief justice, he will automatically chair the Judicial and Bar Council, and wield immense power over the careers of Filipino judges for the next 10 years. He will preside over the Supreme Court and the entire judicial system. Hand-in-hand with Cruz, what Marcelo wants will concentrate too much power in the hands of one law firm. That was the same power they wielded during those heady days after Edsa II when they were the lawyers for Ms Arroyo and the First Gentleman. Just look where it got us.
—JAMES ERWIN ROJAS II,
Parokyano31@yahoo.com
See:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20100511-269310/Marcelos-fight-law-firm-positioning-for-power