Employees of the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday, May 21, wore red to show support for the 14 justices and for judicial independence, on the heels of the quo warranto decision that ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno from her post last May 11.
“Hindi ito protesta (This is not a protest,)” said Erwin Ocson, president of the Supreme Court Employees Association (SCEA), reading a joint statement signed by the presidents of other court employees groups which include the Philippine Judges Association, Philippine Association of Court Employees, and Supreme Court Assembly of Lawyer Employees.
The statement urged the public to remain calm and accept the SC’s decision, saying, “nagsalita na po ang Korte Supreme (the Supreme Court has spoken.)”
It added that while the decision was “immediately executory,” Ms. Sereno may still file a motion for reconsideration to reverse or amend the ruling.
“We believe that our fourteen magistates manifested judicial independence and voting, whether they belong in the majority or minority. So we praise them all. Having six dissenting opinions only shows that the Supreme Court’s decision went through a careful, in-depth, and thorough process, and proves that democracy is still alive. Our forteen magistrates showed their talents, courage, and valor. Long live our justices. We are right behind you,” the statement said. — Dane Angelo M. Enerio

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