MANILA, Philippines — Detained Sen. Leila de Lima lauded Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio’s decision to skip the House of Representatives’ hearing on the impeachment complaint filed against the country’s top magistrate.
“Justice Antonio Carpio is the breath of fresh air in the judiciary today. The most to have a gripe as the most senior Justice to be bypassed for the Chief Justice position, he now exemplifies dignity and circumspection among the justices for refusing to be dragged into the highly politicized impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Sereno,” the lawmaker said via a dispatch from Camp Crame in Quezon City.
She said Carpio’s decision not to attend the House inquiry made him “preserve whatever integrity and honor is left in the high court.”
“He now symbolizes both the independence and forthrightness of a court under siege from the House and Malacañang,” De Lima said.
“In a time where self-preservation and self-interest dominate the political scene of kowtowing to Malacañang, there are men and women who refuse to be so beguiled by power and protection, but instead stand up for and defend their institutions from the assault of tyranny,” the senator said.
“They will all be remembered when this is all over, the few and brave souls who dared to stand up against the impunity of the House and the regime it serves,” she added.
