mr. lacierda & mr. marquez

remember the post of Y on the justices?

i commented there that technically, the Supreme Court's Spokesperson, Midas Marquez (being simultaneously the Court Administrator also -- which is equivalent to the rank of an Associate Justice) should techinically be called "Justice" (or "Honorable"). . . 


. . . similar to Presbiterio Velasco and Jose Perez who were addressed Justices when they used to occupy the same post (and before they got appointed to the SC)


however, yesterday, the presidential spokesperson said something like this:

"I recognize his rank as a justice but he cannot be called a justice. As a court administrator, his rank is at the level of a Court of Appeals Justice but he is not allowed to be a called a justice. As court administrator, his rank is Court of Appeals Justice but he cannot be called Justice Midas Marquez," (see:  http://www.bomboradyo.com/news/latest-news/81369-midas-marquez-hindi-dapat-tawaging-justice-palasyo )

is there such a prohibitive rule?  really?  is mr. lacierda the authority for the announcement he just made?  more importantly, is this the kind of statement that should come from a presidential spokesperson?  i hear of a lot of presidential appointees being called "secretary" even if they are not stricly cabinet secretaries . . .perhaps he should also clarify that?  how does mr. lacierda address malacanang appointees who are not strictly members of the cabinet but hold the position equivalent to one?  just recently, he addressed presidential adviser for political affairs ronald llamas as "secretary llamas"?  so, what is the authority for calling him so when he is technically not a cabinet secretary but holds the position equivalent to one?  . . .uhm . . . coz LTO issued him a protocol plate no. 6 which is for cabinet secretaries?  e si midas marquez din . . .from what i know, he uses protocol plate no. 10 which is for justices.
  

. . .the executive and the judiciary are at their throats lately . . .whatever it is, could mr. lacierda not have called the supreme court spokesperson as mr. marquez, simply?  . . .because calling him Justice Marquez before then calling him Atty. Marquez now would have, of course, been an insult and would have definitely raised eye brows . . . more so if you announce and give a brief lecture nationwide that he shouldn't be called a "Justice" (without stating the basis/authority).  from a lawyer to another lawyer . . .from one spokesperson of a branch of gorvernment to another . . .from a school mate to another . . . are you serious?  


 . . .if i can commend erap for something, it would be appointing atty. dong puno and atty. mike toledo as his spokespersons . . . politics and personalities aside, they gave their office its righful dignity, presence and authority.  straightforward and dignified . . . at maaayos ang tindig.  ever since, parang lahat na yata ng pumalit e hinahabol ng plantsa ang mga barong o hinog sa pilit ang mga suit, laging mahangin-sa-labas look ang mga buhok at hindi advocates ng "oiliness is next to ugliness"  . . . tsk . . .tsk . . .  how about getting liz uy or olen lim or john robert powers as consultant?  no budget? hmmmm . . . really?!  kung sabagay, sometimes i don't know if i am watching a malacanang presscon or snn . . . (take note, snn for showbiz news ngayon at hindi cnn)


so para walang issue, pareho na lang kayong mr.  . . . wag na din munang "attorney" para walang gulo (baka magkadebate pa kung ang function ni lacierda requires lawyer skills)

mr. marquez

mr. lacierda

better yet, pwede bang mag ayos na lang kayo?!  kainis ha. 


Z