Lady justice’s shining moment

VECTOR
By Sonny Coloma

The numbers in the Supreme Court’s decision favoring President Arroyo’s power to appoint a new chief justice: 9-1-2-3. Nine voted in favor, one dissented, two ruled it is premature, and three inhibited themselves. The number that stands out is the one dissenting vote, and Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales cast this vote. Her courageous stand reminded me of the solitary dissent put up by the first and only woman justice in the Supreme Court during the Marcos dictatorship: Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma.

“The only justice with balls” was how observers depicted Justice Palma in those days when then Supreme Court Justice Enrique Fernando struck a memorable pose holding up an umbrella for then First Lady Imelda Marcos.

Click Sonny Coloma.