Reynato Puno

Chief Justice Reynato Puno is a freemason and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines.[1][2] MW Reynato S. Puno PGM is from Hiram Lodge No. 88 and also a charter member of Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No.305, and also a dual member of Dagohoy Lodge No. 84.[3]

On January 7, 2008, the Social Weather Stations (November 30 to December 3, 2007) survey released the performance rating of Chief Justice Reynato Puno - 32% satisfied and 34% dissatisfied, or net –2, having been in single digit since March 2007.[5]

Last June 21, Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno was awarded as the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) Most Distinguished Alumnus during the 2008 UPAA Grand Centennial Alumni and Faculty Homecoming and Reunion at the Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City with the theme UP and We the Alumni: Excellence, Leadership, and Service in the Next 100 Years.

UP President Emerlinda R. Roman, UP Regents Gari M. Tiongco and Ponciano E. Rivera Jr., and UPAA Board Secretary Marita P. Carag bestowed the award on Chief Justice Puno during the awarding ceremonies of the day-long celebration.

The 2008 UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus was the top award given by the UPAA "to recognize UP alumni for their outstanding achievements that bring about substantial benefits to society and distinct honor to the University."The UPAA conferred on Chief Justice Puno the award for using his UP education to "contribute to the welfare of the Filipinos and to the larger society."

Chief Justice Puno won over around 200 nominees who were nominated for specific fields of involvement. He was nominated for the Public Service/Good Governance category by two organizations, the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity Chancery (Alumni Association) and a lawyers' group. The UPAA Awards Screening Committee decided to name Chief Justice Puno Most Distinguished Alumnus in light of the significant impact the Philippine Judiciary has had on the nation since he assumed the Court's highest office.

In his response after the awarding ceremonies, Chief Justice Puno said that he views the awards given to him and fellow alumni, not as personal achievements but as recognition of the UP soul and spirit in their beings. "The UP spirit tells us that what is right and what is wrong is never decided by popular vote; that what is right and what is wrong is not resolved by the demagogueries in the market place. UP taught us the lesson there is no right be wrong, to do wrong and to go wrong," he said.

He also predicted that "UP was pre-eminent in the last 100 years. I have no doubt, it will be preeminent in the next 100 years. We say 'Push On UP,' we are going to win."

As the 2008 UPAA Most Distinguished Alumnus, Chief Justice Puno also spoke at the UP Alumni Council Meeting at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City last June 20.

At that event, Chief Justice Puno stressed that UP has been "an important center of gravity in our collective efforts to uplift the interest of our people and interlink with humankind's drive towards universal peace and prosperity."

He added that "the role of UP in difficult times will be decisive. It has to serve as our fresh fountain of knowledge and reverse our knowledge deficit. It has to be a laboratory of ideas, where old ideas are given the reverence of immutability, and where new ideas are given a tolerant eye. It must improve the quality of our democracy by helping break the monopoly of power of the elites and by halting their heartlessness to the many who cannot exercise their rights due to involuntary poverty."

In closing, he said that "the UP must maintain its academic freedom, for any institution that searches and stands for truth, that resists expressions of liberty, that holds sacrosanct the right to inquire will most likely be scorned in a society where the powers that reign take comfort in the uniformity of ideas and shun multiformity of thoughts."

An exhibit about Chief Justice Puno was also showcased at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, Quezon City, and at the Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City on June 20 and 21, respectively. His awards, magazine feature articles, photos, ponencias, and speeches as well as books written about him were displayed in the exhibit.

Chief Justice Puno graduated from the UP College of Law in 1962, with a Bachelor of Science in Jurisprudence degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree.

The World Peace Prize Awarding Council (WPPAC) Chief Judge and Co-Founder Lester Wolff and WPPAC Executive Judge and Co-Founder Dr. Han Min Su, WPPAC Sec. Gen. Judge Dr. Asher Naim, and WPPAC Judge Dr. Mohammad A. Cholkamy, on October, recognized Puno as 2008 Human Cultural Asset International.[10]

The 22nd Puno Supreme Court held a National Consultative Summit on extrajudicial killings on July 16 and 17, 2007 at the Manila Hotel. Invited representatives from the three branches of the government participated (including the AFP, the PNP, CHR, media, academe, civil society and other stakeholders). Puno gave the keynote speech and closing remarks. Puno searches for major solutions to solve forced disappearances. During the first day of the summit, the speakers presented their respective papers comprising significant inputs from their respective sectors, while on the second day, the participants were broken up into 12 groups (chaired by a Justice) and take part in a workshop. Local and international observers (the diplomatic corps and representatives from various international organizations) were accredited. Puno informed that "the summit highlight will be a plenary session where each of the 12 groups shall report to the body their recommended resolutions. The reports and proposals were synthesized and then transmitted to the concerned government agencies for appropriate action". On the other hand, the earlier slated Malacañang-sponsored Mindanao Peace and Security Summit (July 8–10, 2007 at Cagayan de Oro City), would focus on how to make the anti-terror law, or the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007, more acceptable to the public. It would probably steal the thunder from Puno's own summit on extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances.[14][15]

On July 16, 2007, Justices, activists, militant leaders, police officials, politicians and prelates attended the Supreme Court's two-day summit at the Manila Hotel in Manila City to map out ways to put an end to the string of extrajudicial killings in the country. Bayan was set to launch their "silent protest", but expressed support for the high court's initiative. Director Geary Barias, chief of the police's anti-killings Task Force Usig, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Yñiguez, reelected party-list Representatives Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna) and Crispin Beltran (Anakpawis) graced the affair. SC Chief Justice Reynato Puno said that the "National Consultative Summit on Extrajudicial Killings and Forced Disappearances: Searching for Solutions," would help stop the murders. Delegates were given 12 to 15 minutes each to share their insights and knowledge about the matter. Yniguez scored the government for failing to actively pursue investigations on the hundreds of killings, and the Catholic Church was alarmed that victims have been deprived of their "fundamental right" to live. Based on Yniguez-church's count, the number of victims of extrajudicial killings reached 778, while survivors of "political assassinations," was pegged at 370. He also noted 203 "massacre" victims, 186 people who involuntarily disappeared, 502 tortured, and others who were illegally arrested. Yniguez similarly criticized the government's alleged insistence to implement its Oplan Bantay Laya I and II, the military's counter-insurgency operation-plans which militants have said consider legal people's organizations as targets. Meanwhile, Bayan urged the Supreme Court to "check serious threats to civil liberties and basic freedoms" including the anti-terror law or the Human Security Act of 2007, which took effect on July 15 despite protests from leftist groups. Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. joined Bayan and other leftist groups as petitioners in their formal pleading before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the law. Human rights lawyer Edre Olalia of the International Association of People's Lawyers (IAPL) served as lead counsel. Bayan chair Carol Araullo said the respondents included members of the Anti-Terrorism Council headed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Raul Gonzalez. Earlier, CBCP president Angel Lagdameo pointed out at least 5 provisions of the law that may threaten civil liberties: Sec. 19 allows detentions of mere suspects for more than three days in the event of an actual or terrorist attack, while Section 26 allows house arrest despite the posting of bail, and prohibits the right to travel and to communicate with others; Sec. 39 allows seizure of assets while Sec. 7 allows surveillance or wiretapping of suspects; Sec. 26 allows the investigation of bank deposits and other assets.[16]

Puno SC summit called for truce, talks with insurgents, as the two-day summit ended: "Let us rather engage in the conspiracy of hope…and hope for peace." Puno said he would forward the summit's recommendation to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Senate and House of Representatives. "In the clash of arms, the laws are silent. We need to reduce violence, create conditions conducive to less violence based on the rule of law", Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales said in the report. One group recommended that Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act be declared unconstitutional. All the groups agreed that insurgency is not only a military but also a political problem and said a ceasefire would be a sign of the government's goodwill and sincerity in forging genuine peace agreements with all rebel groups. They also recommended the use of the third-party approach to peace negotiations. Among the other recommendations of the summit are: -- for the Supreme Court to reexamine the case of Umil v. Ramos, which said rebellion and related crimes are continuing offenses, thus allowing the warrantless arrest of suspects; to carefully study the possibility of creating a new offense for the killings and assaults on journalists, judges and activities, akin to the law penalizing violence against woman and children; the establishment of sanctuaries where victims and witnesses can take refuge; for the President to certify and the Senate to ratify the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, and Protocol 1 of the Geneva Convention, which addresses the issue of making civilian populations or individual civilians the object of attacks; the enactment of a law addressing and accurately defining extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances; a study on the use of the writ of Amparo for greater protection of Constitutional rights, and a more creative and resourceful application of the writ of habeas corpus; suspending the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duty in cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearance; studying whether the government can continue invoking its immunity from suspension in cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances; allowing petitioners for the writ of habeas corpus to seek court orders to search the premises of police and military camps and stations in the presence of a representative from the Commission on Human Rights; requiring the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to take DNA samples of unidentified cadavers for preservation in the Philippine National Police laboratory; the adoption of international standards of command responsibility; the enhancement of moral, ethical and constitutional values that put a premium on tolerance and the rule of law.

The CPP, however said that the abuses will continue "so long as the mastermind remains in power." "Extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances will continue as long as the mastermind remains in power and enforces a deliberate state terrorist policy that sets the stage for gross violations of human rights." CPP spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal said that the New People's Army (NPA) and people's courts are conducting their own investigations and are intensifying efforts to investigate and resolve particular cases of extrajudicial killings and abductions. Rosal cited the case of Capt. Patrick Baesa, an intelligence officer under the notorious 901st Infantry Battalion, who was meted out revolutionary punishment last November 2006. Baesa, who was based in Irosin, Albay, was responsible for organizing the death squads which carried out the killings of Max Frivaldo, Ding Uy, Rei Mon Guran and Barangay Chairman Neal Futalan."But ultimately it is the Arroyo regime and its top security and military officials who should be punished for these heinous crimes", he said. Further, former vice president Teofisto Guingona and BAYAN petitioned the Court to declare the Human Security Act (HSA) unconstitutional. The 89-page petition for certiorari and prohibition with a prayer for temporary restraining order against the implementation of the anti-terror law. Other petitioners were Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties, state workers' group COURAGE, Kadamay, Solidarity of Cavite Workers, League of Filipino Students, HEAD, Anakbayan, Pamalakaya, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Migrante and AGHAM.[17][18][19]

Twin horrible deaths happened on / circa the same day last year, January 15, 2007, that the Supreme Court of the Philippines' (logo or seal) was mysteriously burned into halves by an almost one-hour afternoon fire.[20][21] Despite different appeals by local and international groups, the spate of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines continued. On January 15, 2008, Reynato Puno condemned the murder of Judge Roberto Navidad, Regional Trial Court, Branch 32, Calbayog City, Samar, the 15th judge to be ambushed since July 20, 1999, the 14th under the Arroyo government. Just starting his engine, black Nissan Patrol SUV ( TPL-911), Natividad was shot in the face / left eye, at 7:10 p.m. Monday, by a lone gunman, 5'4" tall and medium-built, wearing black jacket, using a 45 caliber pistol.[22] On Tuesday, Catholic missionary Rey Roda, Oblates of Marry Immaculate (OMI), 54, was shot dead at 8:30 p.m., when he resisted abduction attempt by unidentified 10 armed men in a chapel at ikud Tabawan village, South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, South Ubian. In February 1997, another OMI leader, Bishop Benjamin de Jesus was shot dead in front of the Jolo cathedral.[23] In 2006, the Asian Human Rights Commission stated that there had been 26 priests, pastors, and churchmen who were liquidate or were victims of violence under the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo administration since 2001.[24] This includes 3 priests who were reported killed just in 2007: Basilio Bautista of the Iglesia Filipina Reform Group, in Surigao del Sur, Indonesian priest Fransiskus Madhu, in Kalinga province, and Catholic priest Florante Rigonan, in Ilocos Norte.[25]

On August 17, 2007 Puno said that the writ of amparo (Spanish for protection), would strip the military of the defense of denial (Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption's 9th anniversary celebration at Camp Crame). Under the writ, families of victims would have the right to access information on their cases—a constitutional right called the "habeas data" common in several Latin America countries. The final version of the rule, which was made retroactive, would come out by next month. Puno stated that "In other words, if you have this right, it would be very, very difficult for State agents, State authorities to be able to escape from their culpability."[26][27]

On September 15, 2007, lawyer Neri Javier Colmenares (National Union of People's Lawyers) announced that the Supreme Court of the Philippines committee on the revision of rules drafted the writ of amparo rules, which were promulgated in October. The writ of amparo (Spanish for protection) is a defense to prevent extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances. As supplement, recourse to "habeas data," to grant the right of access information on desaparecidos, was also provided.[28]

On September 25, 2007 Chief Justice Reynato Puno officially announced the Supreme Court of the Philippines' approval or promulgation of the Writ of Amparo: "Today, the Supreme Court promulgated the rule that will place the constitutional right to life, liberty and security above violation and threats of violation. This rule will provide the victims of extralegal killings and enforced disappearances the protection they need and the promise of vindication for their rights. This rule empowers our courts to issue reliefs that may be granted through judicial orders of protection, production, inspection and other relief to safeguard one's life and liberty The writ of amparo shall hold public authorities, those who took their oath to defend the constitution and enforce our laws, to a high standard of official conduct and hold them accountable to our people. The sovereign Filipino people should be assured that if their right to life and liberty is threatened or violated, they will find vindication in our courts of justice."[29]

The Resolution and the Rule on the Writ of Amparo gave legal birth to Puno's brainchild.[30][31][32] No filing or legal fees are required for Amparo which took effect on October 24 in time for the 62nd anniversary of the United Nations. Puno also stated that the court would soon issue rules on the writ of habeas data and the implementing guidelines for habeas corpus. The petition for the writ of amparo may be filed "on any day and at any time" with the Regional Trial Court, or with the Sandiganbayan, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. The interim reliefs under amparo are: temporary protection order (TPO), inspection order (IO), production order (PO), and witness protection order (WPO, RA 6981).[33]

International criticism

On September 28, 2007, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) criticized the Writ of Amparo and Habeas Data (Philippines) for being insufficient: "Though it responds to practical areas it is still necessary that further action must be taken in addition to this. The legislative bodies, House of Representatives and Senate, should also initiate its own actions promptly and without delay. They must enact laws which ensure protection of rights—laws against torture and enforced disappearance and laws to afford adequate legal remedies to victims." AHRC objected since the writ failed to protect non-witnesses, even if they too face threats or risk to their lives.[34]

Puno and Alfredo Lim, on July 9, 2008, re-launched the Supreme Court's Justice on Wheels (JOW) Project, to improve access of justice to the poor, specifically, those who are above 70 years, and detainees whose cases had dragged for longer periods than prescribed by law. The justice-on-wheels program, borrowed from Guatemala justice system, was first launched in the Philippines on 2004 with World Bank and Asian Development Bank funds. 4 buses were converted into mobile courtrooms, to have served Manila and other regions. The Manila City Jail was built for only 1,000 inmates but was crammed with 4,602.[37][38][39]

The United States donated 50 computer units and other related equipment to the High Tribunal during the July 23, 2008 launching of the Case Management Information System (CMIS) by Reynato Puno and Kristie Kenney, to reduce the judiciary's case backlog and congested dockets. The computers are part of the US $650,000 US Agency for International Development (Usaid) grant for the CMIS, "to develop the software, build the information structure, for technical assistance and training of the justices and court personnel (of the SC, Court of Tax Appeals, Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan)."[40]

Puno said: "We have our zero backlog program; we continue to review, revise and simplify the Rules of Court; we have established special courts, etc."[41] Rule of Law Effectiveness (RoLE) Project of CMIS aims "to (1) reduce delay and prevent case congestion, as well as to generally speed up the pace of litigation, (2) strengthen judicial accountability and its integrity infrastructure, (3) enhance the capacity of Justices to manage caseload more efficiently and in a more convenient manner, (4) improve access to justice and public access to relevant information on cases, and (5) improve capacities for sound oversight planning, monitoring, and evaluation of court operations and performance and support better supervision of court operations."[42]

On September 30, 2008, Puno officially launched the Small Claims Court Pilot Project, the "Rule of Procedure for Small Claims Cases" (AM No. 08-8-7-SC), effective in 22 pilot courts, per A.M. No. 141-2008.[43] 70% of Metro Manila Metropolitan Trial Courts' case loads consist of small claims cases, filed by indigents. The new Rule now provides for "an inexpensive and expeditious means to settle actions before first-level courts, excluding Sharia (Arabic: شريعة‎ Circuit Courts, for money claims not exceeding Ph P100,000.00. No attorneys are allowed and user-friendly forms are provided. Decisions are also required to be rendered on the first day of hearing. The decision in a small claims case shall be final and unappealable, except extra-ordinary appeals through certiorari." The Rule was promulgated by the Supreme Court of the Philippines pursuant to its "Increasing Access to Justice Program" with support funds from the United States Agency for International Development and the American Bar Association–Rule of Law Initiative.[44][45][46]