Supreme Court launches black protest

Supreme Court of the Philippines. Photo by Mike Gonzales courtesy of Wiki Commons.

MANILA – Justices of the Supreme Court wore black yesterday in protest against President Aquino’s criticisms of the court’s ruling on the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was an appointee of the President, also wore a dark gray suit during the court’s flag raising ceremony.

After refusing to speak to reporters, the chief justice greeted the court’s employees who applauded her presence in their protest.

Though Sereno’s outfit looked black from a distance, it wasn’t clear whether Sereno, including the other appointees of the President were wearing black to support the protest against Aquino.

Other PNoy appointees including Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Justice Marvic Leonen, were also wearing black during the event.

The protest was made several days after President Aquino criticized, in a televised report, the court’s decision declaring some parts of DAP to be unconstitutional. l

Insisting that DAP has helped improved the economy and the lives of the Filipinos, Aquino said his administration created DAP in “good faith” and with a positive intentions for the country.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, meanwhile, said that there is nothing wrong with the employees of the high tribunal to be wearing black.

“This is a free country,” he said. “Everybody is free to express their opinion one way or the other.”