SC urged to scrap’Aguinaldo doctrine’

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MANILA — The Supreme Court is being asked to scrap a legal doctrine that shields re-elected public officials against complaints arising from their actions during the previous term.

In a petition filed June 22 at the high court, a barangay councilor said the “Aguinaldo doctrine” violates the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, as well as the Local Government Code.

“For more than half a century, the Supreme Court authorized the voters to pardon their public officials who are found guilty of misdeeds from grave misconduct, abuse of authority and corruption, as long as the electorate put them back to office,” Henry Giron of Capri, Novaliches said in a statement to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The doctrine was named the ‘Aguinaldo doctrine’ when it was applied in a 1992 ruling favoring then Cagayan Gov. Rodolfo Aquinaldo.

Aguinaldo was charged with administrative case for being part of the coup attempt against the administration of former president Cory Aquino.

“This case will have national importance and a transcendent effect, especially with the elections next year. Will (public) officials again be allowed to escape from their current cases?

” Giron said.

He also said that if the court still rule in favor of not scrapping the doctrine, the court should at least not have it applied among officials reelected to other positions.