Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno (right) leads the Independence Day celebration at the Bonifacio Shrine in Caloocan City. TETCH TORRES-TUPAS/INQUIRER.net
Disregard for the Constitution by the other branches of government is the main concern of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said Friday on the sidelines of the Independence Day celebration.
Sereno led the flag-raising ceremony at the Bonifacio Shrine in Caloocan City during the celebration of the country’s 117th Independence Day.
#INQuiz: How much do you know about Philippine Independence Day? (Part 1)
“The challenge for the Supreme Court is always to look at the Constitution intently. You know our deep concern is that sometimes our Constitution is not being considered very seriously in the discussions that are going on maybe in other branches of government and maybe even by some sectors,” Sereno told reporters in a chance interview.
“So, our duty is to ensure that everything that comes out is always in accordance with the constitution so, that is the key message for this day I think on the part of the Judiciary,” Sereno added.
Sereno’s pronouncement came amid calls to scrap the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), an administration’s pet project for being contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.
READ: BBL ‘may need constitutional surgery’
Retired high court justices have expressed belief that certain provisions of BBL are unconstitutional.
READ: Former SC justices differ on Bangsamoro constitutionality
The BBL allows the creation of a parliamentary form of government in the Bangsamoro region.
Retired SC Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza said a parliamentary form of government under the present system is not allowed under the Constitution.
Retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno said such provision can only be accommodated if the 1987 Constitution is amended otherwise it is not allowed.
In her speech during the Independence Day Celebration, Sereno said the Preamble gives the spirit behind the Constitution and the Constitution is the most important decree in our society.
“Kung ano ang pagbibgay tuon natin sa konstitusyon ngayon ay yan na rin po ang pagbibigay galang kay Gat. Andress Bonifacio (By giving importance to the constitution, we also show our respect to Andres Bonifacio),” Sereno said. IDL
#INQuiz: (Part 2) How much do you know about Philippine Independence Day?