No ‘turmoil’ in SC, says spokesperson

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

THERE is no “turmoil” in the Supreme Court, according to its spokesperson, Theodore Te.

In a post on his personal Facebook account, Te singled out the use of the word “turmoil” in the Inquirer’s front-page headline “SC in turmoil: Justices bicker over Poe ruling” for a story about the tribunal’s decision to uphold with finality Sen. Grace Poe’s candidacy for President.

“Totally inappropriate headline. Repeat. Totally inappropriate headline,” Te said in his post.

He said differences in opinion were typical in the way the 15-member court decide cases.

“Dissents and concurrences on highly charged cases are part and parcel of collegiality. That the justices choose to write separately and passionately does not mean the institution is in ‘turmoil’,” Te said.

“On the other hand, it indicates an institution that is independent, passionate and fiercely vigilant of its constitutional prerogatives and duties—the best antidote to tyranny,” he said.

On Sunday, the Inquirer ran a story on how justices continued to disagree on Poe’s citizenship and residency even after reaching a final decision during a full-court session on Tuesday.

The story quoted separate opinions written by the justices, most of which were pointed rebuttals of each other’s positions.  The opinions were released on Saturday, four days after the court reached the ruling, as eight justices who opted to issue separate concurrences and dissents were given time to write their respective opinions.

The high court had on Tuesday dismissed with finality motions for reconsideration against its March 8 ruling allowing Poe to run. Voting 9-6, the court found that the Commission on Elections had committed grave abuse of discretion in canceling Poe’s certificate of candidacy over questions surrounding her natural-born status and 10-year residency in the Philippines.

Despite the final ruling, the minority asserted that Poe should not be regarded as natural-born or a 10-year Philippine resident, as required of a presidential candidate.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the choice should be left to the people’s sovereign will.

Te called on the media to be more careful in using strong words in headlines.

“Headline writers ought to be a bit more circumspect in dropping loaded words like ‘turmoil’ or ‘crisis.’ In this already silly season, a little less drama and a bit more sobriety would perhaps be the best way to help,” he said.