Press Release
18 July 2007
MIRIAM URGES PROPER SC ROLE IN SONA
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, a constitutional law expert, recommended to Congress that during the SONA ceremonies on Monday, the Supreme Court Chief Justice and associates justices should be invited to walk into the House chamber as part of the ceremonial supporting ensemble for the President.
She also recommended that the justices should be assigned special seats near the front of the session hall of the House of Representatives.
The senator also recommended to Malacañang to name one cabinet member as the designated survivor, in order to provide continuity in the line of succession, if a catastrophe disables the President, Vice-President, and other succeeding officers gathered in the House chamber.
Santiago, citing United States practice, also urged President Arroyo in her speech to use the formula “The State of our Nation is very Strong” or a very similar phrase.
“As a constitutional law scholar, I find nothing in the Constitution to prevent the Chief Justice, after official invitation, to play a more visible role in the SONA protocol. In my view, Supreme Court justices, if properly acknowledged, lend an air of non-congressional celebrity and solemnity to a political event,” Santiago said.
Santiago said that in the U.S., Supreme Court justices rarely applaud or participate in standing ovations during the speech.
“The justices must remain impartial to any political positions, statements, or objectives during the speech,” she said.
Santiago sent an urgent letter yesterday (July 18) to Senate President Manny Villar and Speaker Jose de Venecia, with copies furnished to Chief Justice Reynato Puno and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
-o0o-