LP: SC RULING SMACKS OF TWISTED POLITICS

The Liberal Party today slammed the Supreme Court ruling allowing appointive government officials to continue serving their posts even after they have filed their certificates of candidacy.

Liberal President Sen. Mar Roxas said the high court decision smacks of the kind of politics that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her Administration allies foisted on Filipinos since she took power more than eight years ago.

"Nagkahawaan na. Kitang-kita natin sa desisyong ito kung paanong pati ang ating mga mahistrado sa Korte Suprema ay maaaring naimpluwensiyahan na ng baluktot na pamamalakad ng gobyernong ito," Roxas said.

"We cannot allow this to happen. Government resources should not be used to advance one's personal ambitions," he added, at the same time saying he would consult with the party's legal luminaries on the possibility of appealing the SC decision.

Voting 8-6, the high court, through Associate Justice Antonio Eduardo Nachura - an appointee of President Arroyo and her former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel - ruled that appointed executives who registered their candidacy would remain in office until they win or are removed from office.

The decision came after Arroyo's private election lawyer Romulo Macalintal questioned a Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution declaring that government officials are considered resigned once they file their COC, arguing the requirement discriminates against government officials versus elective officials who are not obliged to give up their posts when they run for any public office.

"Nakakakaba kung paanong maaaring abusuhin ng mga miyembro ng Gabinete at iba pang appointive officials ang kanilang mga posisyon at pasilidad at resources ng gobyerno para sa kanilang kandidatura," Roxas said.

He appealed to the public: "Magbantay tayong mabuti. Mahalagang siguruhin nating lahat na hindi magagamit ang kaban ng bayan para sa mga pang-personal na ambisyon ng ating mga opisyal."