Statement of Unity: Bukluran Para sa Katotohanan

September 5, 2005

We come from all walks of life, from different political, cultural, and economic persuasions, different points of view. But in diversity, we find a cause for unity. That cause for unity is our common objective to secure the truth.

We all seek the truth. We want the truth to come out. And yet every means for seeking the truth has been frustrated; every avenue for arriving at the truth has been blocked; and every opportunity to find the truth is being closed.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s response to our call for the truth has been to suppress evidence, hide her accomplices, engage in a grand cover-up, sow fear, foment distrust and use every instrument at her disposal to encourage division among our people.

We will not be divided in these critical times. (more…)

I Khan’t Believe It

Supreme Court spokesperson Ismael Khan, Jr. has, in my view, done something that disgraces the Court and makes a mockery of its processes.  Inq7 reports Khan as openly speculating that a motion for reconsideration in the recently decided VAT case may have legal basis.  He reaches this conclusion by revealing that a clear majority of justices felt that 20 out of 26 provisions in the VAT law were objectionable. 

In the first place, the Supreme Court deliberations are strictly confidential and never broadcast to the public.  To have the Court spokesperson engage in this kind of disclosure is an unforgivable breach of duty on the part of Mr. Khan.  He has now opened the door to speculation as to who these justices are and why they never voted in favor of striking down the VAT law provisions they felt were “objectionable.”

Moreover, the Supreme Court decision on the VAT law was unanimous with no other justice filing a separate or dissenting opinion.  So, Mr. Khan’s disclosure flies in the face of the official position of the Court. 

This is unprecedented.  At no time in my memory has a Court employee made a disclosure of confidential information, engaged in speculating as to the outcome of a potential course of action and even gave advice to the parties. 

What is the Supreme Court spokesperson trying to do? (more…)