Philconsa marks milestone with call to uphold Charter

A 50-year-old group of jurists, lawyers, academicians and prominent businessmen marking the annual celebration of Constitution Day today has expressed concern over what they call an assault on the Constitution by politicians to promote “personal and vested interests.”

The incoming officers of the Philippine Constitution Association, a widely-respected organization known for its strong stand against attacks on civil liberties, said the impeachment trial against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona threatens the constitutionally-enshrined balance of power between the Executive, Judiciary and Legislature.

“Our Constitution and the guarantee of the co-equality of the three branches of government are in danger of being desecrated,” said group president Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a lawyer and legislator representing the 1st District of Leyte in the House of Representatives.

PHILCONSA, which counts among its members former Supreme Court justices and noted constitutionalists, expressed the group’s concern over the impeachment trial as it celebrates Constitution Day, which is meant to promote awareness and relevance of the constitution to the nation and the people.

Its new set of officers led by Alfonso Yuchengco, chairman emeritus; Reynato Puno, president emeritus; Manuel Lazaro, chairman and chief executive; and Ferdinand Romualdez, president, will be inducted into office during an early evening program at the Manila Hotel today.

During the program, the Medal of Wisdom and Courage will be awarded to Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Rep. Hermilando Mandanas, Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla and Rep. Tobias Tangco.

The award is given to those who display “the wisdom and courage to uphold the Constitution over and above self-interest … personal gains and profits.”

PHILCONSA Ccairman and chief executive Manuel Lazaro said the occasion was timely because of the impeachment trial and the “Constitution occupies center stage in our national life.”

“As the supreme and fundamental law of the land, the Constitution truly deserves the highst respect and obedience of the citizenry,” Lazaro said.

“When we honor the Constitution, we obey the Filipino people; but when we dishonor or desecrate it, we become traitors to the Filipino people.”

Froilan Bacungan, PHILCONSA vice-president and former University of the Philippines College of Law Dean,l criticized the manner that the House of Representatives exercised its power of impeachment, which he described as “odd.”

“The odd manner in which the House of Representatives exercised its power of impeachment is a classic example of premeditated violation of due process of law and a denial of equal protection,” Bacungan said.

The group said in a statement it hoped the Senate would be more circumspect in the exercise of its powers compared with their counterparts in the House of Representatives.

“The Constitution never intended to lay the judiciary prostrate at the feet of the House of Representatives, the slaves of their will, the victims of their caprice. The fate and destiny of the Filipino people are at the doorstep of the Senate,” the statement said.

In the past several years, PHILCONSA has been involved in cases that require interpretation of the Constitution and the outcome have become part of Philippine jurisprudence.

The group has opposed moves to amend the Constitution by the so-called “people’s initiative” and some of its landmark cases include denial by the Supreme Court of legislated salary increases that benefit incumbent members of Congress. –Manila Standard Today