TO EXAMINE A new dimension to the functions of the justice system and the legal profession – poverty alleviation – the Supreme Court will hold a national forum-discussion on “liberty and prosperity” on August 24 and 25.
     Dubbed as the National Forum on Liberty and Prosperity, the event will be held at the Manila Hotel, with around 350 participants from the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, the private sector, civil society, and the Judiciary.
     The Forum is being organized by the Committee on the National Forum on Liberty and Prosperity chaired by SC Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna, with Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Teresita J. Leonardo De Castro as co-chairperson.
     Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban, who has been underscoring the necessity of upholding the twin goals of “liberty and prosperity” since he assumed his post as chief magistrate in December last year, will be the keynote speaker.
     Upon his appointment, Chief Justice Panganiban laid down his vision for the Judiciary. He said that in cases involving liberty, the scales of justice should weigh heavily against the government and in favor of the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, the dispossessed, and the weak. He said laws and actions that restrict fundamental rights come to the courts “with a heavy presumption against the constitutional validity.” On the other hand, in conflicts affecting policies on prosperity and development, deference must be accorded the political branches of government; namely, the Presidency and Congress. As a rule, courts will not pass upon the merits or wisdom of economic policies, for these matters have been left by the people for the President and Congress to evaluate and decide.
     “This is a commitment to free our people not only from fear, but also from want; to liberate them not only from political tyranny, but also from economic deprivation,” the Chief Justice said.
     Justices Leonardo A. Quisumbing, Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, Conchita Carpio-Morales, and Romeo J. Callejo, Sr., will chair the panel discussions during the two-day forum.
     Panelists include retired SC Justice Jose C. Vitug, Dr. Jose Abueva, Ateneo de Manila Law School Dean Cesar L. Villanueva, Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Purificacion V. Quisumbing, Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, and Makati City Regional Trial Court Judge Marissa Macaraig-Guillen.
Topics for the panel discussions include “Approaches to Decisions Affecting ‘Prosperity’,” “Approaches to Decisions Affecting ‘Liberty’,” “Voices from the Branches of Government,” and “Access to Justice as Central to ‘Liberty and Prosperity’ – Experiences of the Bench, the Bar, the Cultural Minorities.” Former University of the Philippines Law Dean Raul C. Pangalangan will also discuss the highlights of the roundtable discussions in Cebu and the Academic Forum in Manila held recently.