Cayetano: Executive and Judiciary must check
and balance each other out on Arroyo issue

Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged both the executive and the judiciary branches of government to use the events involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a check and balance mechanism in upholding the rule of law while pushing for the Aquino administration's anti-corruption agenda.

The senator made the suggestion in the wake of President Aquino's public statements wherein he criticized Supreme Court (SC) and Chief Justice Renato Corona for their seeming biased decisions.

He pointed out that it is important that both branches respect and trust each other's decisions for the democratic process to work effectively.

"The Supreme Court might not budge just because the President said so but I'm sure the effect was like a big rally. If you hold a big rally in front of the Supreme Court, maybe they won't change their minds but definitely they'll start looking and listening," he said.

The minority leader also explained that President Aquino's actions are understandable given the fact that his much-touted anti-corruption drive is hinged on holding people accountable for the alleged crimes during the past administration.

"If his definition and the people's definition of a successful Aquino administration is really cleaning up the government and going after the big fish, if he kept quiet, will he be able to accomplish it?" he asked.

"I'm not saying that what he did was totally correct. I'm saying that I understand where he's coming from," he added.

He similarly noted that the public coverage of the events involving Mrs. Arroyo, the judiciary and the executive have contributed greatly to keeping the public fully informed of the issue.

"People are discussing the issue in media. People are getting involved and giving their opinions," he said.

Cayetano further called on the government to continue building its case against Mrs. Arroyo while treating her with the respect she deserves as a former president.

"I think what the public and the Supreme Court should focus on is giving Mrs. Arroyo a fair trial. So decisions have to be based on the evidence and not emotions," he said.