‘Disenteng opinyon’

Egay Uy .

A DECENT or disenteng opinion is one that does not delve on personalities but focuses on issues. It is an opinion that discusses the merits and demerits of an issue without regard as to who has taken which side of the story.

An opinion that conforms to generally accepted standards and is based on an honest-to-goodness appreciation of the issues surrounding a story is one I call a decent opinion or disenteng opinyon.

Of course, I am not calling opinions that take the other side of the story as indecent opinions. Those are, don’t get me wrong, very much welcome so that people will have a healthy and intelligent discussion of the story.

On the other hand, an ad hominem opinion is one that is directed against a person rather on the position that the subject person is maintaining. There are many of these in the social media. Some are thinly disguised as an objective opinion but some others are expressly directed at the target person.

One who takes a position that is unpopular to those who think they are always on the side of truth and justice, and reforms, often gets bashed, albeit mildly by acquaintances. But the message is there: “Stop that or else!”

And I admire those who believe they have the right to speak out their minds regardless of who gets run over. We are in a democratic society after all. Or are we?

The ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno from the Supreme Court has created a hopefully friendly fence between those who agree that quo warranto is the right way to oust a sitting impeachable officer of the government, and those who say it has to be the impeachment process.

The SC has interpreted the constitution in the way that it has justified the ouster of the chief justice. The interpretation however has created the fence and lawyers and “quasi-lawyers” have taken either side of the fence – and that is a healthy sign.

Some observers say the SC has spoken and so let’s just abide by the ruling while others say that the SC is not infallible such that its decision should not be swallowed hook, line and sinker no matter what. Yes, the SC is composed of men and women who also commit errors.

Moves are being taken by some sectors to ask the SC to review its decision not because they want Sereno retained as chief justice. The point, in case some others have missed it, is that let the constitutional process be observed in removing impeachable officers from office.

There are justifications being posited by those who agree with the decision and by those who do not. Reading these justifications will surely enhance our own stock knowledge of the issues at hand.

I enjoyed reading the decision but I enjoyed more reading the disenteng opinyon.

(Egay Uy is a lawyer by profession and is with the local price coordinating council and Regulatory and Complaints Board.)