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