Judges rule on the basis of law, not public opinion, and they should be totally should be totally indifferent

to pressures of the times Chief Justice Warren Burger

THE JUDICIARY IS ONE OF THE THREE BRANCHES of the government which is coequal with the Legislative and the Executive branches. Under the Judiciary Department is the Supreme Court which is the highest court of the land. It is composed of 14 Associate Justices appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Judiciary is the only department of the government wherein its justices are appointed and not elected by the voting citizens. It is clearly stated in Sec. 9 of Art VIII of the Constitution that the power to appoint the Members of the Supreme Court and judges of the lower court lies with the President, who makes the selection from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial Bar and Council. Ladies and Gentlemen! We, on the negative side strongly believe that Members of the Supreme Court and judges of the lower court shall be appointed and should not be change.

CAN IT BE DONE? Yes! Since the very beginning of the Philippine politics, judges and up to Supreme Court that are being appointed by the President has been put into practiced and been implemented by our government. As stated in Sec. 9 of Art. VIII of the Constitution, they should be appointed by the President.

Instead of seeking out of votes, the judges seek out justice. Appointed members of judiciary will not afraid to go against public opinion. Instead they protect the right of individuals and minorities. It is also required by the new Constitution that every member of the judiciary be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence. This general qualification is intended to improve the quality of the judiciary by admitting thereto only deserving persons who can dispense justice wisely and impartially. o Two Grounds for Practicability of be appointed instead of being elected by the President - First, if elected by the people, they will be less chances of placing statesmen in the judiciary because the justices will be more politicked than they are now. Also,

the check and balance between the three branches of government will be nonexistent and inter-party collusion will pervade. Second, If by election of the people, only those with familiar name and wealth will become Supreme Justice and judges of the lower court, how about those who are qualified but doesnt have resources for an election process

As I end my speech, let me remind you with this reasons. 1. Conducting an election means more expenses on the side of the Government. 2. Electoral system is not yet that efficient to produce reliable results. 3. Based on previous elections, only the rich and the famous have the capability to launch a nationwide campaign. 4. Justices will have money campaign contributors like big companies which may affect their ruling whenever their sponsors are in dispute in court. 5. They are no longer free to do what they feel is best because they have to make decisions that will be popular to the voters. Electing the Members of the Supreme Court and judges of the lowers court will not work because people are still going for popularity rather than qualification or competence.