‘Pursue Truth Commission as legal body’
Lawyer Marvin Daquilanea, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter, said President Benigno Simeon Aquino III should pursue the creation of the Truth Commission as a legal structure because it is his campaign promise.
“But he should see to it that this is created by law as a structure that is legal. This is not difficult for him, considering the popular support of the public for him as well as the majority of the legislature,” Daquilanea said.
He said he believes the Supreme Court justices voted on sufficient grounds to declare the Truth Commission as unconstitutional.
Daquilanea said the President, however, cannot withdraw from it as people tend to respect the intentions of the Truth Commission as long as this will consider the equal protection and good of the people.
Budget Cut
Meanwhile, Ilonggo lawyers are also supporting the protest of the members of the judiciary against proposed reduction in their budget for 2011.
Daquilanea said aside from this, they are also protesting the non-implementation of the salary increases for judges, despite the fact that other agencies already had done so.
“It is unfair that judges are receiving salaries lower than other court personnel,” Daquilanea said.
He also said the reduction in the budget of the judiciary would mean less manpower and inadequate resources for the courts.
As a form of protest, Daquilanea said they will wear black arm bands every Monday during the flag raising rites, until their protest is heard.*PIA
