Bersamin rejects meddling in PH affairs
Published Jul 20, 2019 12:00 am
By Rey Panaligan
Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin on Friday said there is no need for other countries to interfere in the investigation on human rights situation in the Philippines and on deaths as a result of an all-out war against illegal drugs.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin leads the launching of the official app of the Supreme Court of the Philippines which is aimed to boost public access on information regarding the bench and bar with features such as court locator and an extensive list of philippine lawyers yesterday at the Supreme Court in Manila. The app is available for download on Google play for Android users and the App Store for IOS. (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN)
Interviewed after the launching of the SC’s app, Bersamin said: “I am a member of the Judiciary and kailangan kong ipilit sabihin ngayon wala naman kami nakikitang dapat na manghimasok taga ibang bansa" (I have to insist now that we do not see any reason for other countries to interfere).
Asked further on the Iceland resolution on human rights, Bersamin said: “Ayokong magkomentaryo dyan dahil hindi ako, wala akong alam na sapat na impormasyon tungkol dyan. Batay sa palitan ni Sec. Panelo saka yung mga naglabas nyan mukhang tama nga naman sila Sec. Panelo dahil minority reso lang yan (I do not want to comment (on the Iceland resolution) because I do not have enough information on that. Based on the exchanges between Secretary Panelo and those who came out with it (resolution), I think Secretary Panelo is correct because it is only a minority resolution).”
The Iceland resolution calling for an investigation on human rights situation in the Philippines was adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva by a vote of 18 countries. Fourteen countries voted against the resolution while 15 others abstained.
Earlier, President Duterte slammed the UNHRC resolution, particularly Iceland which, he said, has no understanding of Philippine problems.
Panelo, on the other hand, said Iceland introduced a resolution “based on false information, bogus news” and relied on the information from the President’s opponents.
Panelo added the President would allow UN investigators if he finds the purpose legitimate.
On the 41 percent approval rating based on Pulse Asia survey, Bersamin said: “The good ratings are always welcome. But that is not we aspire for. We always think of the people that we serve, the entire country and if we get good ratings in surveys that is a clear bonus for us.”
Bersamin said he will attend the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
“You know before I became Chief Justice, I attended one SONA only. This is the last SONA I will attend because I will be retiring afterwards,” he said.
Bersamin is retiring on October 18 when he reaches age 70, the mandatory retirement age for members of the judiciary.
“I look forward to the SONA because that is really a national event for all Filipinos and especially for us who are serving the government in one capacity or another,” he said.
He said most of the SC justices would attend the SONA.
Launched at the SC Friday morning was the SC App, a software which can be downloaded to mobile devices such as smartphones and computer tablets, the Judiciary Memorabilia Hall, the Court Locator, the Lawyers’ List, and the SC Directory.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin leads the launching of the official app of the Supreme Court of the Philippines which is aimed to boost public access on information regarding the bench and bar with features such as court locator and an extensive list of philippine lawyers yesterday at the Supreme Court in Manila. The app is available for download on Google play for Android users and the App Store for IOS. (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN)
Interviewed after the launching of the SC’s app, Bersamin said: “I am a member of the Judiciary and kailangan kong ipilit sabihin ngayon wala naman kami nakikitang dapat na manghimasok taga ibang bansa" (I have to insist now that we do not see any reason for other countries to interfere).
Asked further on the Iceland resolution on human rights, Bersamin said: “Ayokong magkomentaryo dyan dahil hindi ako, wala akong alam na sapat na impormasyon tungkol dyan. Batay sa palitan ni Sec. Panelo saka yung mga naglabas nyan mukhang tama nga naman sila Sec. Panelo dahil minority reso lang yan (I do not want to comment (on the Iceland resolution) because I do not have enough information on that. Based on the exchanges between Secretary Panelo and those who came out with it (resolution), I think Secretary Panelo is correct because it is only a minority resolution).”
The Iceland resolution calling for an investigation on human rights situation in the Philippines was adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva by a vote of 18 countries. Fourteen countries voted against the resolution while 15 others abstained.
Earlier, President Duterte slammed the UNHRC resolution, particularly Iceland which, he said, has no understanding of Philippine problems.
Panelo, on the other hand, said Iceland introduced a resolution “based on false information, bogus news” and relied on the information from the President’s opponents.
Panelo added the President would allow UN investigators if he finds the purpose legitimate.
On the 41 percent approval rating based on Pulse Asia survey, Bersamin said: “The good ratings are always welcome. But that is not we aspire for. We always think of the people that we serve, the entire country and if we get good ratings in surveys that is a clear bonus for us.”
Bersamin said he will attend the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
“You know before I became Chief Justice, I attended one SONA only. This is the last SONA I will attend because I will be retiring afterwards,” he said.
Bersamin is retiring on October 18 when he reaches age 70, the mandatory retirement age for members of the judiciary.
“I look forward to the SONA because that is really a national event for all Filipinos and especially for us who are serving the government in one capacity or another,” he said.
He said most of the SC justices would attend the SONA.
Launched at the SC Friday morning was the SC App, a software which can be downloaded to mobile devices such as smartphones and computer tablets, the Judiciary Memorabilia Hall, the Court Locator, the Lawyers’ List, and the SC Directory.