Image: Facebook/@jimparedes
Musician Jim Paredes is urging the public to write letters to Supreme Court (SC) justices, to appeal to them to change their decision regarding the ousting of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
The Supreme Court voted 8-6 to oust Sereno, based on a quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.
Critics have argued that the SC’s move is unconstitutional because high-ranking government officials can only be removed from their posts through impeachment.
There has been public outcry on the “death of democracy”, with critics citing that the SC robbed the Chief Justice of the right to due process, and with the SC allegedly waiving its judicial independence to curry President Rodrigo Duterte’s favor.
Paredes reminded Filipinos to remain hopeful through a post on his Twitter page on May 11: “Cry, if we must. But let us not wait too long before hopelessness sets in. Let us muster the courage and conviction to fight with greater resolve. The fight for democracy continues. This is the fight of our lives.”
Cry, if we must. But let us not wait too long before hopelessness sets in. Let us muster the courage and conviction to fight with greater resolve. The fight for democracy continues. This is the fight of our lives.
What's next?
— Jim (@Jimparedes) May 11, 2018
He also tweeted a call to action on May 14: “What to do now after the Quo Warranto? Let’s all write the eight SC Justices and appeal to them to change their decision.”
What to do now after Quo Warranto? Lets all write the 8 SC Justices & appeal to them to change their decision. Send your short letter with your full name to letterstoscjustices@gmail.com . We will print it and send it to the SC. Tuloy ang laban! #QuoWarrantoIbasura
Write it now
— Jim (@Jimparedes) May 14, 2018
“Send your short letter with your full name to letterstoscjustices@gmail.com. We will print it and send it to the SC. Tuloy ang laban (The fight continues)!” he said.
Paredes also called on senators to defend the constitution and fight for their sole power to impeach high-ranking government officials, using the hashtag #SenateActNow.
#SenateActNow
The SC has committed suicide. You have ran away from your responsibility to protect your independence and said nothing before the SC usurped your power. This is your LAST CHANCE to do right by the people and by the constitution. DO IT or kill the senate too.— Jim (@Jimparedes) May 15, 2018
“The SC has committed suicide. You have ran away from your responsibility to protect your independence and said nothing before the SC usurped your power. This is your LAST CHANCE to do right by the people and by the constitution. DO IT or kill the senate too,” he warned.
Netizens are using the same hashtag to compel senators to take action on the issue. JB
RELATED STORIES:
Silent Majority asks senators to proceed with impeachment trial of Sereno
LOOK: Coalition for Justice stages symbolic protest over Sereno’s ouster
Agot Isidro to DDS wishing her death: ‘Your threats, insults make me stronger’