Drilon nixes CA abolition, urges Alvarez to seek legal remedy

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Saturday said he will oppose any move to abolish the Court of Appeals (CA).

Drilon's statement came after House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez threatened to dissolve the CA after one of its divisions issued an order compelling the House of Representatives to release the employees of the Ilocos Norte provincial government.

"We will oppose any move to abolish the CA as it would affect the entire judicial system," Drilon said.

Drilon urged Alvarez to avail of the remedies under the law instead of resorting to threats.

"I strongly advise Speaker Alvarez to respect and follow the judicial process by seeking legal remedies under the law," Drilon said. "The dispute can be settled in the Supreme Court where both parties can argue their position."

"Any error that may have been committed by a division or by the members of the court should not be taken against the CA as an institution," he emphasized.

Drilon, a four-time Senate President, added that the Senate has had its share of victories and defeats in the courts over the years.

"However, it is not right to use the powers of Congress against the CA or any institution just because we do not agree with their decision. We may run out of courts if that were so," he said.

He added: "Our judges and justices sometimes commit errors of judgment or jurisdiction, but the institution should not be made to suffer from such mistakes.

The CA, Drilon noted, being the second highest tribunal of the land, "plays a critical role in upholding the Constitution and the rights of the people."

The CA was created in 1936 by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 3.