No wave of court order defiance - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang disagrees with Supreme Court (SC) spokesman Midas Marquez that a “wave of defiance” of court orders has started.

Speaking to reporters, presidential communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said the decisions of courts must be properly explained to the people.

“I think if people are disagreeing with the SC more, it’s because the SC has made actions under the current leadership that people feel have not been explained properly or justified properly,” he said.

Carandang said Marquez should not blame the executive department if some sectors disagree with court orders, particularly those that are perceived to be a product of partial deliberations.

“We have nothing to do with any of these cases,” he said.

“If people are reacting to certain decisions that have been made by Mr. (Chief Justice Renato) Corona’s court, then I don’t think you can blame the administration for the actions of the people to cases that we have no involvement in.” Carandang said Marquez and Corona should focus on defending themselves before the impeachment court when trial resumes on May 7.

“Let’s just face the issues in the impeachment court,” he said. 

“Let’s wait for the impeachment to resume so that the issues can be ventilated in the proper forum. We have not said anything. The Palace has refrained from commenting. We will continue to refrain from making any comments.” Carandang said it was Marquez himself who stated that the matter was his own “personal opinion.”

“He is entitled to his own opinion,” he said. “To say that it is our actions that is causing these reactions I think is trying to divert the issue.”

Carandang said the phrase “wave of defiance” is a “very subjective statement.” “I don’t know if I would say there is a wave of defiance,” he said. “I don’t know if I would agree that there is a wave of defiance.” 

Tañada defends De Lima 

Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada defended Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday from the criticisms of Marquez. “Marquez is prejudging the contempt case of Secretary De Lima as it is still pending before the SC,” he said. “He is not the Supreme Court. Or maybe, Marquez is only mouthing the thoughts of his boss, impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.” Tañada is one of the prosecution spokesmen of the impeachment trial of Corona. Marquez had cited De Lima’s decision to defy the SC’s temporary restraining order (TRO) allowing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband to leave the country last Nov. 15.

Armed with the TRO, the Arroyos went to the airport to board planes for Singapore and Hong Kong, but immigration officers barred them from leaving on De Lima’s orders.

– With Jess Diaz