KIKO: NEW SC APPOINTEES WILL DECIDE CHACHA FATE

With renewed talks of Charter Change, Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today stressed the importance of "ensuring the independence and integrity of the next Supreme Court justice appointees who will most likely decide the fate of ChaCha."

"With Malacañang sounding off its desire for ChaCha anew, we must all be very vigilant. The seven incoming justices will radically change the composition of the SC, and we are not just talking of a change in the judiciary, but also a potential change in the direction of the nation should the constitutional assembly debate be raised to that level," Kiko said.

Kiko is a part of the multi-sector watchdog group Bantay Korte Suprema, which campaigns for the transparency in the next SC appointees. Justice Ruben Reyes will retire on January 3, 2009, Justice Azcuna on February 16, Dante Tinga on May 11, Adolfo Consuelo Ynares-Santiago on October 5, Leonardo Quisumbing on November 6, and Minita Chico-Nazario on December 5.

"Never since the restoration of democracy have the SC and the judiciary faced the exercise of the power of appointment y Malacañang in such a manner and in such a short period. The highest vigilance is necessary if we are to ensure that the exercise of such a power within such a short period is not abused. Every Filipino has the responsibility to get involved because this is a concrete way to reform the judicial system and preserve genuine democracy in the Philippines," Kiko ended.