LAST Wednesday evening, I received four separate messages from friends at different time intervals telling me that the Supreme Court was about to come out with a decision declaring as “unconstitutional” the impending impeachment trial of Misfit Sara, which is scheduled to start on Aug. 4. The message said that Justice Marvic Leonen was the alleged ponente (writer) of the impending decision that would prevent any impeachment trial from proceeding. The alleged verdict would come out either shortly before the July 28 SONA or the Aug. 4 start of the impeachment trial by the Senate impeachment court.
There was no way to check the message, but we knew it was highly speculative. Not because we trust the Supreme Court to hold secrets. In fact, its public record leaves much to be desired. It’s capable of sowing “leaked” information. At least nine magistrates are appointed by Gongdi, a majority that could swing the votes to Misfit Sara’s favor. Earlier, her camp has petitioned the High Court to dismiss the impeachment trial for alleged failure of the House of Representatives to meet certain requirements in its submission of the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.
I feel a little offended by the temerity of the senders to ask me to spread their message, which was largely speculative. It was a piece of unverified information. Since the messages dwelt on speculations, I might as well give them my own dose of speculations to clear the air and provide them with a different perspective on Misfit Sara’s impending impeach trial.
Recent developments belied any indication that the Supreme Court was about to make that decision. The bilateral meeting between BBM and Donald Trump was a case in point. Trump, in his most emphatic way, has made his point that the U.S. intended to counter China’s inroads in East Asia and compete to weaken its domination in the world economy.
At a certain point in their meet, Trump somewhat expressed critical comments on how Rodrigo Duterte handled the country during his incumbency. He could not hide his distrust of him as Gongdi openly supported China. Trump made critical comments on Gongdi, who is currently in a prison facility of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Scheveningen, The Netherlands. In a way, Trump signaled to BBM that he would allow BBM to take hard measures on the Dutertes to counter their pro-China stand. In a way, Trump signaled to BBM that it would be acceptable for him and the U.S. for BBM to eliminate China’s lackeys in the Philippines.
There is no better way for BBM to express that stance but to allow the impeachment trial to continue and reach its final conclusion. Trump looks at the Dutertes as China’s running dogs in the region. The Dutertes and their ilk are in power mainly to protect China at all costs. He knows they were doing their part to weaken BBM’s hold on power. Trump looks at BBM as his ally in his fight against China.
Frankly, BBM may ask the Supreme Court to hold back any decision on the issue. BBM may also influence the Senate to replace Tricky Tsis as its Senate President. Tricky Tsis has become a pain in the ass by issuing statements that bordered on the ridiculous and unconstitutional. The returning Tito Sotto could end up the new Senate head. I just don’t know how BBM will calibrate his next moves. But for sure, he will eliminate the pro-China elements in his government.
