PNoy wants to prioritize clipping of judiciary’s power

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Monday (August 25). This year’s theme is “Bayaning Pilipino: Lumalaban para sa Makatuwiran at Makabuluhang Pagbabago.” Also in photo are Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang, Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno and Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

MANILA – The only thing that pushes him to amend the Constitution is to have the powers of the judiciary clipped, according to President Aquino.

And he wants to do this atleast before he steps down from his post in June 2016.

“My main issue with the Constitution is the concept of judicial overreach. It’s kind of involved a discussion, if you want to hear it. That is the first priority for me,” the President said in answer to a question about his stand on Charter change.

He made the statement during the question and answer portion of the annual forum hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap).

“The direct answer to the question is there’s still an ongoing study precisely what to put in into the proposed constitutional amendment to strike a balance between the previous position of the Supreme Court during the martial law years,” Aquino added.

Aquino reiterated the need for a “fine balance” between the powers of the executive and the judiciary adding that the said balance is still subject of a study.

“The judicial reach, it should be subject to a review and limitations,” Aquino told veteran radio broadcaster Elmar Acol of Bombo Radyo Philippines during an interview in Malacañang.

“These are two separate and co-equal branches to ours – but the Constitution is very explicit. It’s the HRET that can or is the sole judge. Let the HRET finish its job, and if there was grave abuse of discretion, then that would be the time for the SC to intervene,” he said.