What was the most watched telenovela on TV? Some people titled it GMA’s Karma, De Lima’s Dilemna, or Topacio’s Family Jewels” and so on and on.
Filipinos have a unique sense of humor, they are quick at finding something to laugh about, or trivialize, a very explosive situation dubbed a possible “constitutional crisis”; they even have a theme song for CGMA — Leaving on a Jet Plane; Delilah for de Lima; and All Mine to Give for Topacio.
But for those of us who have been around and have seen many political upheavals of sorts, it was just an indicator that democracy lives and thrives, Pinoy style. Like they say: Only in the Philippines!
When news broke out that the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order on DOJ Department Order No. 41/Hold Order Watch List Order upon petition of the CGMA camp, the TV images of CGMA in a Minerva vest with a head harness showed that she was able to walk to her wheelchair, tilt her head a little, and that she looked downhearted when refused departure by the NAIA officials.
Many reacted that it was heartless, and totally vindictive on P-Noy’s part.
On the contrary, there were inconsistencies in her application for travel — she is of delicate condition that her head had to be stabilized, then why travel abroad even up to Europe?!
Her diagnosis — osteoporosis, spinal vertebrae degeneration — is not a life-threatening disease; it is long-term condition due to hormonal defects or other forms of chemical imbalance. Doctors have certified an improvement in her condition within six months.
Now, did De Lima defy the Supreme Court TRO? Facts would sustain the proposition that she did not, because it is inherent and provided in the Rules of Court that a TRO should be served on the person who is to be restrained.
Even the Supreme Court spokesman admitted that the TRO was not served on De Lima herself.
People may say that is a technicality, but this is part of due process, for how can you obey something which you did not receive officially?
It will be unfair if you will just base your actions on media reports because there were conditionalities stated in the said TRO. There has to be notice of compliance of the conditionalities to the adverse party. And each party has the right to file a Motion for Reconsideration.
Now, this is the Supreme Court-Judiciary ordering the DOJ — alter ego of the President-DOJ to cease and desist from implementing the WLO/HDO? Was there any conflict? No, each branch of government was just doing its responsibility. The Supreme Court is supreme in its sphere of judicial controversies, while the executive department implements the law as interpreted by the courts, upon compliance with the due process requirement.
Basic in a democracy is the principle of separation of powers as enshrined to prevent the concentration of authority in one person or a select group of persons that might lead to abuse in its exercise, without any limitations.
The legislative department is empowered to enact laws, and may not enforce them; the executive is to the enforcement and implementation of laws; and the judiciary to interpret and apply the laws and may not enact or enforce them — so that each branch of government is interpendent of each other.
And all these functions were evident in the events that unfolded in the CGMA saga of sorts.
In a democracy, “Government is of the people, by the people, and for the people” and “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them!”
As of presstime, charges of electoral fraud were filed against CGMA, Gov. Andal Ampatuan, and Atty. Lintang Bedol.
The people have spoken: “All those who have committed crimes against the people should be held accountable!”
This is the start of a long-running telenovela. Abangan.
