March 22, 2012 · 03:57

More Philippine Polls

More polls from the Philippines. According to Pulse Asia, 58% of respondents disapproved of Chief Justice Corona’s job performance, while only 14% approved. Moreover, just 11% trust him. Moreover, both numbers dropped precipitously from November 2011, when the impeachment case against the chief justice began.

While Filipinos are notoriously cynical when it comes to politicians, it’s worth comparing those numbers to President Aquino’s, who received a 70% performance rating. Given these numbers, I just don’t see politically how the chief justice can survive. Senators in the Philippines are elected on a national basis, so I’m sure they’ll take note of these numbers when they vote on the impeachment case in the next few weeks.

I’ve included a convenient table below summarizing the survey results (click to enlarge):

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Filed under Aquino, Corona, Philippines

March 22, 2012 · 03:08

I pledge an allegiance, to the party…

I don’t often post about China, but the Justice Ministry’s latest move to require lawyers to take an oath to the Communist Party seems worth mentioning for those interested in law under authoritarian regimes. According to the BBC, the move was prompted as a response to public interest litigation by the likes of Gao Zhisheng (pictured courtesy of BBC) and Chen Gaungcheng. Still, it seems a very clumsy move for a country with many domestic and expat lawyers. Especially so coming on the even of a key political transition. My guess is somebody in the Justice Ministry had to prove his/her hardline credentials.

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Filed under China

March 20, 2012 · 13:49

Is the Philippines impeachment roadshow almost done?

We know the Senate is expected to vote on the impeachment of Chief Justice Corona fairly soon. Moreover, some lawmakers are now claiming that Corona’s omission of assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth constitutes a per se impeachable offense. The most definitive statements seem to be coming from the House, so they’re not necessarily dispositive of the views of them majority of senators. Nonetheless, the trial thus far hasn’t given Corona’s defenders much to work with.

Perhaps more importantly it seems Filipinos themselves are finding their own conclusions about the trial. According to a recent survey, 58% will accept any Senate decision regarding the outcome of the case. Around half of respondents viewed the chief justice as guilty, while 43% remain uncertain. Based on Manila’s distaste for Arroyo, I suspect Manila residents are more likely than not to consider Corona guilty, so if he is convicted we probably won’t see any attempts to launch a People’s Power movement against the administration. However, if Corona is acquitted, I wouldn’t be surprised if Philippine politics gets a bit more contentious.

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Filed under Corona, impeachment, Philippines, Supreme Court

March 12, 2012 · 20:11

Thriller in Manila

The impeachment trial against Chief Justice Corona is almost reaching a conclusion. The Comparative Constitutions Blog has a great article summarizing recent developments in the trial. The authors seem a bit skeptical that the Senate will convict, but either way we should get an answer before Easter.

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Filed under impeachment, Philippines, Supreme Court

March 8, 2012 · 19:21

Conflict of interest or interesting conflicts?

Of course, there’s always been a large potential conflict of interest underlying the impeachment of Chief Justice Corona. Namely, President Aquino would have a chance to appoint another justice to the court if he succeeds. However, two recent articles raise other possible conflicts of interest. The Supreme Court of course decided the fate of the Aquino family’s plantation in Hacienda Luisita. President Aquino adamantly denies any connection and points out that impeachment started with the Supreme Court’s decisions on Arroyo and the TRO. Second, and perhaps more interesting, Chief Justice Corona has accused Justice Carpio’s old firm (commonly known as “The Firm”) as behind the “black propaganda” against him. Of course, should Corona be removed, Carpio would probably be his successor. The Firm denies any involvement in the impeachment, but the accusations do raise the question of whether Carpio can keep his hands entirely clean in this whole affair.

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Filed under Aquino, Carpio, Corona, impeachment, Philippines, Supreme Court