Voting for dismissal of impeachment complaint a judicial independence — Leonen
By Deighton Acuin
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| PHOTO: One News |
For Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, House lawmakers voting for the dismissal of impeachment complaint against him only affirms judicial independence.
“A dismissal on the basis of the mere face of the impeachment complaint affirms the baselessness of the grounds raised,” Leonen said, adding it is “an act that powerfully speaks for itself.”
“The House of Representatives has just affirmed the constitutional independence of the judiciary by not allowing others to take advantage of the vulnerability of its members. They have created a precedent that warns against the abuse and trivialization of constitutional processes,” he added.
Leonen’s statements came after the House Committee on Justice junked the complaint filed by Attorney Edwin Cordevilla by saying the accusations were not supported by authentic records and not even based on personal knowledge.
Cordevilla’s complaint against Leonen was earlier endorsed by Ilocos Norte Representative Angelo Marcos Barba after the Supreme Court, which served as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), dismissed the electoral protest of former Senator Bongbong Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Moreover, Leonen said it is not the time “to destroy institutions to satisfy greed and lust for power,” adding the dismissal of the complaint was a reminder “not to waste our time and resources for narrow parochial selfish gains.”
“To the prime movers of this baseless complaint and those who have supported them, know this: I wish you well, and I wish that you will also find your own peace. There are those in positions of leadership who will clearly see your motives and will do the right thing. Our people clearly see your motives. At the right time, they will do the right thing,” the magistrate said.
“There is no victory to be celebrated by anyone. Humanity faces its most difficult existential challenges. The twin threats of a raging pandemic and the dire effects of climate change should be an inspiration for all of us to find ways to help each other evolve the kind of governance founded on care and compassion,” he added.
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