What Went Before: Supreme Court voting record

In February, the Supreme Court, under Chief Justice Renato Corona, voted 7-5 in throwing out the petition of then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez seeking to declare unconstitutional the impeachment proceedings against her.

Two justices partially concurred with the majority while one abstained. Gutierrez, however, resigned in April days before her impeachment trial at the Senate was to start.

In July, the high court voted 9-2 to deny with finality the motion for reconsideration in the petition questioning Executive Order No. 1, which creates the Philippine Truth Commission. The commission sought to investigate corruption in the Arroyo administration.

The high court earlier voted 10-4 to declare the executive order unconstitutional.

Last month, the high court, voting 8-7, declared as constitutional Republic Act No. 10153, which postponed the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The law also authorized the President to appoint officers in charge (OICs) to take over elective executive and legislative positions in the region.

Chief Justice Renato C. Corona

Appointed by Arroyo in May 2010

Gutierrez petition: Yes

Truth Commission: No

ARMM election postponement and OIC appointment: No

Justice Antonio T. Carpio

Appointed by Arroyo in October 2001

Gutierrez petition: No

Truth Commission: Yes

ARMM election postponement and OIC appointment: No

Justice Presbitero J. Velasco Jr.

Appointed by Arroyo in March 2006

Gutierrez petition: Inhibited

Truth Commission: No

ARMM election postponement and OIC appointment: No

Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro

Appointed by Arroyo in December 2007

Gutierrez petition: Yes

Truth Commission: No

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: No

Justice Arturo D. Brion

Appointed by Arroyo in March 2008

Gutierrez petition: Yes

Truth Commission: No

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: Yes

Justice Diosdado M. Peralta

Appointed by Arroyo in January 2009

Gutierrez petition: Yes

Truth Commission: No

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: Yes

Justice Lucas P. Bersamin

Appointed by Arroyo in April 2009

Gutierrez petition: Yes

Truth Commission: No

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: Yes

Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo

Appointed by Arroyo in July 2009

Gutierrez petition: Partially concurred with majority (No)

Truth Commission: No vote

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: Yes

Justice Roberto A. Abad

Appointed by Arroyo in August 2009

Gutierrez petition: No

Truth Commission: Yes

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: No

Justice Martin S. Villarama Jr.

Appointed by Arroyo in November 2009

Gutierrez petition: No

Truth Commission: No

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: Yes

Justice Jose P. Perez

Appointed by Arroyo in December 2009

Gutierrez petition: Partially concurred with majority (No)

Truth Commission: No

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: No

Justice Jose C. Mendoza

Appointed by Arroyo in January 2010

Gutierrez petition: No

Truth Commission: No

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: Yes

Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno

Appointed by Aquino in August 2010

Gutierrez petition: No

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: No

Justice Bienvenido L. Reyes

Appointed by Aquino in August

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: Yes

Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe

Appointed by Aquino in September

ARMM poll postponement and OIC appointment: Yes

Compiled by Ana Roa, Schatzi Quodala and Lawrence de Guzman, Inquirer Research