BY DENNIS GADIL
SEN. Francis "Chiz" Escudero yesterday
advised senators to rethink a proposal to ask three associate
justices of the Supreme Court to inhibit from deliberations on
the Senate’s motion for reconsideration on the issue of
executive privilege.
Escudero, a lawyer, told a media forum that
SC justices are also human and could be offended if subjected
to an inhibition petition.
He said ultimately it is the Supreme Court
as a collegial body that would decide on any petition to
inhibit one or two magistrates.
He stressed that if a petition to inhibit
is actually filed, the proponents should make sure that the
move would get a favorable ruling from the tribunal.
Escudero also frowned on the plan of
majority leader Francis Pangilinan to go solo in moving for
the inhibition of Associate Justices Arturo Brion, Renato
Corona and Presbitero Velasco.
"We should act and plan accordingly, not as
individual senators, not as majority but as an institution and
a collective group," he said.
Pangilinan had stressed the grounds set
forth in the motion for inhibition "are valid and material."
"Justice Arturo Brion was not yet appointed when the
petition of Commission Higher Education Romulo Neri invoking
executive privilege was heard. Justice Renato Corona’s wife,
in a paid advertisement, was reported to have publicly
expressed support for President Gloria Arroyo. Mrs. Corona is
also reported to be a presidential appointee. Justice
Presbitero Velasco is said to be petitioner Neri’s golf
buddy," he said.
