Cebuanos rally behind Davide

CEBU — Cebuanos have rallied behind Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. whom deposed President Joseph Estrada has called upon to resign.

Regional Trial Court judges, lawyers and political leaders here have all issued statements of support for Davide, a fellow Cebuano whom Estrada accused of being biased in connection with the plunder and perjury cases he is facing in the Sandiganbayan, and of having lobbied for his post through business tycoon Lucio Tan.

The RTC judges adopted a resolution expressing their faith and support for Davide.

"There is an emerging and patently devious pattern of character assassination obviously orchestrated to malign and demean the integrity of his Honor...This nonsensical assault is plainly designed to place in disrepute the person of the Chief Justice and thereby degrade the high quality of justice, which he is sworn to uphold and ever maintain," the resolution stated.

The city and provincial chapters of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) also adopted a joint resolution of support for Davide.

"The members of the IBP Cebu and Cebu City chapters personally know the Honorable Chief Justice and therefore vouch for his integrity, honesty, probity and independence, and have full trust and confidence in his capability to discharge his functions faithfully and with utmost impartiality," the lawyers’ joint resolution stated.

Rep. Antonio Cuenco promised to sponsor a resolution expressing support for Davide.

Cuenco believes he will gain the support of most House members even if they have already adjourned for the Holy Week.

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales III said their secretary-general has not yet received any impeachment complaint against Davide and until there is any congressman who will endorse it, the House of Representatives will not accept it.

Rep. Clavel Asas Martinez urged Estrada to look for other things to base the impeachment complaint, saying it is considered weak if based only on Davide’s alleged bias.

Rep. Simeon Kintanar said he would oppose any impeachment complaint.

Hilario Davide III, son of the Chief Justice, said the family suffered pain over the controversy but insisted that they are not seriously affected.

He said the family welcomes the Cebuanos’ support for his father but insisted it is not necessary because they feel the controversy will pass.

The Chief Justice’s father, Hilario Davide Sr., has not been informed about the controversy.

Others who supported Davide included the Philippine Councilors League’s Cebu chapter which issued a manifesto the other day.

Cebu Gov. Pablo Garcia defended Davide’s presence during People Power 2, the popular uprising that ousted Estrada.

"We had a president who could not act because the military and the police, including most of the Cabinet members, had already withdrawn their support," he said.

Davide’s action to administer the oath of Gloria Arroyo as president saved the country from a possible leadership crisis, he added. — Freeman News Service