"I may not agree with the words that you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"-Voltaire

“Ngayon, kung may isang lingkod-bayan na tumatanaw ng utang ng loob, hindi sa taumbayan na siyang dapat na bukal ng aming kapangyarihan, kundi sa isang padron na isiniksik siya sa puwesto, maaasahan po kaya natin siyang intindihin ang interes ng Pilipino?”

It is very unlikely for the Chief Executive, the highest executive official of the land, to utter those words in the presence of no less than the person he was referring to – the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Yesterday, President Aquino addressed the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel. The event is a gathering of stakeholders of the justice system to reexamine the institutional criminal justice issues and to forge strategies towards enhanced delivery of justice. His speech was once again a direct attack against person/s, systems, and institutions.

Words are mightier than the swords. President Aquino’s speech was not just a simple welcome remarks of the program, but a mighty piece aimed at raising his own convictions and beliefs, defying the odds of his administration. And that is the Supreme Court, especially the Chief Justice.

Strong words, yes! President Aquino is used to write (if he’s the one writing his speech) and deliver speeches with strong words, employing direct references to personalities like the Chief Justice. This is great, after all, he is entitled to his personal views and opinions, whether as a private person or as the Great President of this Great Republic.

The problem with his sometimes sarcastic opinions is the higher expectation of the public from, that those words coming from the President’s mouth would not be put in vain and, not just mere speeches. The impact thereafter is the issue which the President’s advisers might well look into. Strong words, yes, which really are implied defiance of powers and authorities of a co-equal and independent branch of the government.

Needless to say, such speech is a struggle against the other side of the system, where President Aquino is devoid of understanding – the dynamism, flexibility and checks and balances. President Aquino himself is an epitome of a superior executive, from his words and speeches, an advocate of a strong executive where the judiciary must conform with. This should not be the case. We need a strong president, strong in the sense that actions speak louder than words. We need a strong executive, but not at the expense of having a weak judiciary because of public perception.