Lawmaker defends Panganiban

Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano III criticized as baseless and unfair yesterday the charges raised by anti-crime groups against Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban whom they want investigated by the Ombudsman and impeached by Congress for his view on the Supreme Court’s conviction of executed rapist Leo Echagaray.

Albano, former vice chairman of the House committee on rules, said Panganiban was merely stating a post facto opinion on the Echagaray case, which the lawmaker said "could not, in any manner, reverse the Supreme Court’s ruling in 1996."

"Chief Justice Panganiban’s critics should stop attacking him because he already pointed out that his position that the Supreme Court may have committed an irreversible ‘judicial error’ in the Echagaray case was just his personal view," Albano said.

"Besides, the Supreme Court said it will stand by its decision, so what’s all the fuss about?"

Albano expressed doubt that Panganiban could face impeachment in Congress on the basis of the anti-crime groups’ claim that he betrayed the public trust when he declared the high court committed an error in affirming the death sentence of Echagaray. "He has been consistent in his anti-death penalty position. Even his colleagues recognized him as historically consistent in his resistance to the death penalty," Albano said.

The lawmaker called for an end to attacks on government institutions like the SC to allow them to operate and deliver on their mandate to serve the people.