We join the Senate, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and all truth and genuine democracy loving Filipinos in celebrating the triumph of justice and independence as demonstrated by the courageous and principled Chief Justice and 7 other justices of the Supreme Court!
We rise in grateful standing ovation for these 8 justices as well as for Senator Joker Arroyo who, together, demonstrated one more time, clearly and loudly, that integrity, independence, truth and democracy are alive in true Filipinos who will not allow any fraudulent claims and interpretations as well as political pressure to degrade this country's constitution as well as to threaten or destroy the true separation of powers among the independent branches of government!
Despite denials that the Cha-Cha initiative was not government or politician-initiated, only the blind or those who choose to close their eyes could not see the deceptive processes at work for this so-called people's initiative.
Gratefully, the SC justices saw through the claims, as can be gleaned from their statement: "An initiative that gathers signatures from the people without first showing to the people the full text of the proposed amendments is most likely a deception, and can operate as a gigantic fraud on the people."
We thank Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban for taking the path of pride and truth. We are very proud of and thankful to our SC justices, as well, and particularly the women among them, Associate Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez, Conchita Carpio Morales, Romeo J. Callejo Sr., and Adolfo S. Azcuna!
Thank God there are still those in the Supreme Court, in the Senate, in Congress, in the CBCP, in the civil society and Filipinos elsewhere throughout Philippine society and abroad with clear vision, who can still distinguish real truth from lies, genuine democracy from fake, and. pure honesty from cheating.
We particularly thank Senator Joker Arroyo sincerely for his relentless and single-handed campaign to defend the integrity of the Constitution as well as the independence of the Senate and the judiciary from the continuing assault on these branches by those in the Executive branch.
The struggle to defend the Constitution, the independence of the Senate and the courts, is not over however. It is not lost on many that when Chief Justice Panganiban retires in December, he may be replaced by a Malacañang appointee who may just sway the SC votes in favor of those bent on having the Cha-Cha at all costs.
Let us all then do our share and continue to keep our people informed about truth and justice and the integrity of the Constitution and genuine rule of law. Let us encourage our young to be always informed so that their significant votes may yet elect genuine public servants much needed by our people. And let us remain in hope and faith. Look at the wonderful unexpected gift of an 8-7 SC verdict!
If we believe we will have truth and justice and genuinely sincere leaders in this land, we will. Let us remain in trust and let us be strong in our faith. Nothing is impossible with God!