Administration and opposition congressmen hailed on Tuesday, Nov. 16 the appointment to the Supreme Court of Associate Justice Midas Marquez, saying that it was a well-deserved promotion for possibly the most popular SC member in the country.

Senatorial aspirant and Makabayan chairman Nery Colmenares joined Lower House members in welcoming Marquez’s appointment as he aired hopes that the new High Court magistrate will join the crusade to put an end to the killings of lawyers and members of the judiciary.

Colmenares said he is optimistic that Marquez will also move to regulate the issuance of search warrants, as he pointed out that many searches have resulted in killings of activists.

“We welcome the appointment of Atty. Marquez in the Supreme Court. We are sure that he will pursue the rule of law, and he will use his brilliance and competence in serving our people through the highest court of the land,” said Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles, a Harvard law alumnus.

Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate aired his optimism in Marquez’s expected contributions to the dispensation of justice in the country.

“Long time coming. We trust that as a magistrate now of the High Court, he will continue to support and pursue the long overdue reforms needed in the judiciary, not only in terms of jurisprudence, but, institutional as well, especially in the areas that will advance and protect the rights of our people, the majority poor especially,” the opposition leader stated.

Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfred Garbin agreed with the observation of Zarate, noting that the appointment ended Marquez’s long wait.

He said Marquez in the High Court “can be seen as a blessing because the years have enriched his already deep wealth of experience, perspectives, and evolution of law and jurisprudence.” “Justice Marquez himself has evolved as few other jurists have, particularly because of his many years as Court Administrator of the Supreme Court—a vantage point from which he sees how the administration of justice, continuing reform of the courts, and legal ethics can progress to the next higher levels,” stated Garbin, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Reforms.

Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite is another opposition lawmaker to express support for Marquez’s appointment.

“His experience as the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court for the past several years and direct knowledge and interaction with the members of the Supreme Court, appellate courts and trial courts, including the justices, judges and rank-and-file employees places Justice Marquez as a worthy member of this esteemed body,” said Gaite.