Palace Belies Talk Of Poll Failure & Protest

[Travis]

I am concerned what will happen to us if there is a failure of election & marshall law?http://www.abs-cbnne...sider-cj-ruling Protests set vs SC ruling on 'midnight Chief Justice'Palace belies talk of poll failure, martial lawMANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) - Various groups are expected to hold a protest on Friday against the Supreme Court's decision allowing the appointment of a "midnight Chief Justice" by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.Lawyers' organizations and party-list group Akbayan are set to march to the Supreme Court Friday morning to condemn the ruling issued on Wednesday. (Read: SC: President can appoint new chief justice)A forum on the Supreme Court's controversial decision will be held at the UP College of Law on Friday from 3 to 5 pm. UP College of Law Dean Marvic Leonen and former Dean Raul Pangalangan are expected to discuss the implications of the ruling.After the forum, a protest march calling for defense of judicial independence will be held around the UP Oval, followed by candle lighting at 6:30 pm. Those who will join have been asked to wear black.The Philippine Bar Association (PBA) will file before April a motion for reconsideration on the controversial decision.Speaking to ANC's Headstart on Thursday, former Ombudsman and PBA President Simeon Marcelo said a previous Supreme Court decision had stated that the chief justice post is covered by the constitutional ban on appointments during the election period.He also questioned the Supreme Court's failure to hold oral arguments and invite "friends of the court" or the amicus curae to give their opinions on the case. (Read: Ex-Ombudsman Marcelo cites dangers in SC decision)"There seems to be an undue haste in resolving the case," Marcelo said. "That's what I was very worried about even before the decision came out."Asked what the chances of getting the ruling reversed are, Marcelo said he's not optimistic. "Sabi ko nga, pagkatapos natin mafile yung motion for reconsideration (MR), araw-araw tayo magdadasal and hope that they are enlightened."Supreme Court spokesperson Midas Marquez said anyone can file a motion for reconsideration on the issue.Grand plan to extend PGMA's stay in power? The court's decision has been widely criticized in legal circles.Critics of the president claimed the ruling is part of a "grand plan" to extend President Arroyo's stay in office.They said that in the event of even a partial failure of elections and the president wins a seat in Congress and is installed as House Speaker, she may be declared as acting president.Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel said on Thursday the Supreme Court's decision is a "big blow against the rule of law" and "another blight on the armour of the Supreme Court as an institution." "I think the Supreme Court misread the constitutional provision and twisted its rationale to provide justification," Pimentel said.Palace belies talk of poll failure, martial law Malaca