Pres. Arroyo can appoint next Chief Justice - Supreme Court

I've just learned through the internet that the Philippine Supreme Court decided that Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo can appoint the next Chief Justice. Of the members of the highest tribunal, 9 voted "yes," 1 voted against and 3 abstained. Two other justices voted that all petitions for or against be dismissed for being premature.

With due respect to the members of the bench, as a citizen of this country I am concerned over the Supreme Court's decision to recognize Pres. Arroyo’s appointive power over the next Chief Justice despite the ban on "midnight" appointments enshrined in our Constitution, thus:

Article VII. Section 15. Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.

My only consolation is that at least one lady Associate Justice by the name of Conchita Carpio-Morales "had the balls," so to speak, to stand by the explicit provision of the highest law of the land.

Hopefully, the lady in the palace will not be tempted to use the Supreme Court's decision as an alibi.

. . . . .