MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) chose to shut its mouth over President Benigno Aquino III’s taking swipe at the third branch of government’s purported moves of checking too much the two other co-equal branches.
During the budget hearing of the judiciary in the House of Representatives on Thursday, Deputy Court Administrator Raul Villanueva said he is not authorized to make a comment on the President’s pronouncements against the high court.
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He reacted to ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio’s question for comment on the high court’s alleged usurping of Congress’ power of the purse when it ruled to strike down parts of Aquino’s economic stimulus package the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).
“Would that what the President is referring to as one branch destroying the balance?” Tinio said.
“I’m not at liberty to answer that,” Villanueva said.
“The Constitution provided powers of each branch. I don’t see any reason one would come up with that conclusion,” he also said.
In a statement, Aquino complained that the judiciary seemed to be using its power to check and balance the executive and legislative branches “more often.”
“It’s like instead of exercising restraint, [the judiciary is using] this power more often,” he said.
“Now, as a result, the balance between the three branches appears to be gone.”
Aquino earlier warned of a “collision” between the executive and the judiciary following the high court decision declaring his DAP unconstitutional.
The high court also earned the Congress’ ire when it struck down congressional pork barrel funds Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) at the height of a corruption scandal.
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