Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has served the country well and could continue to defend the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea until he obtains “enlightenment,” Malacanang declared yesterday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo lauded Carpio as a competent and sensible magistrate even though they disagreed with some of his pronouncements on the territorial issue.
Carpio recently retired from the Judiciary at the age of 70, ending his 18-year stint in the High Court. He was appointed as SC Associate Justice by then President Gloria M. Arroyo in 2001.
“We wish him well sa kanyang bagong chapter sa kanyang buhay. He has served his county well. Naging mahusay at matino siyang justice so we commend him for that,” Panelo said.
“Hindi lang tayo nagkaka-agree doon sa kanyang mga posisyon sa West Philippine Sea but then it’s a free country. Gaya ng sinabi natin, may karapatan siyang mag-criticize at magbigay ng mga mungkahi, ang mahalaga ay ung kanyang mungkahi kahit kontra sa position natin ay ‘yun naman base sa kanyang pagmamahal sa bayan, okay na ‘yun,” he said.
Panelo agreed that Carpio should continue to defend the country’s territorial rights, saying they respect his right to voice his sentiment.
“Dapat lang naman. Sapagkat alam mo, ang isang tao, kapag may prinsipyo, palaging dapat ipagpatuloy kung ano man ang kalagayan niya o sitwasyon niya sa buhay,” Panelo said.
“Habang nabubuhay dapat ituloy niya hanggang magkaroon siya ng enlightenment,” he added. (Genalyn Kabiling)
