The case of Justice Ong

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Justice Gregory Ong of the SandiganBayan, who was appointed by President Arroyo to fill the vacancy in the Supreme Court created by the retirement of Justice Romeo Calleja, has voluntarily given up the post. Ong must have felt that the questions being raised about his citizenship, even if later resolved in his favor, would hound him and affect his credibility as a member of the highest court in the land.

After Ong's name surfaced as the President's choice for the SC vacancy, questions came up over whether or not he is a natural-born Filipino, his parents being of Chinese origins, and which is a prime requirement for the position.

Although Ong had brought the matter up to the High Court, it has not yet made a pronouncement on the matter. While there are indications that he is, indeed, natural-born, Ong chose to give up what would have been the apex of his career as a lawyer and as a court official. What he displayed by his act is the very old and honored, and very Filipino trait of "delicadeza", which, alas, many of our compatriots who are unquestionably natural-born, do not have, or do not believe in.

But isn't it strange that all the controversies over Ong's status only surfaced when he was named to the Supreme Court? Before this, he had already served as justice in the SandiganBayan, also a special court. How come this perceived deficiency never came up when he was appointed to the SB, and how come also that no meticulous check had been made on his credentials before the President appointed him?

The bigger problem looming is about the cases Ong had handled while in the SandiganBayan. Undoubtedly he had recommended or been party to some convictions and decisions of that body. If his detractors prove correct, what legal actions can those affected bring against him, the SB, and the State?

While our government imposes such rigid requirements for those applying for ordinary jobs, the case of Justice Ong is appalling proof that it can be rather careless in choosing who will occupy very sensitive and very important offices such as those of High Court Justices.*