Resistance

The interpretation that the absence of the seven Supreme Court justices in the first flag raising ceremony of the new Chief Justice as being a snub i.e., cut or slight, is a refusal to recognize an acquaintance by ignoring them, avoiding them or pretending not to know them(Wikipedia) made the news.  We can understand the snobbery as an expression of their displeasure or pain arising from their dreams of becoming Chief Justice gone. The collective action can be interpreted as their first sign of disrespect to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.  The snobs were led by Antonio Carpio, Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Arturo Brion, Presbitero Velasco and Martin Villarama Jr.

Their collective action can also be seen as a declaration of their initial resistance to the change that is forthcoming in the Supreme Court and the judiciary as a whole.  It also reveals their capacity to be disrespectful to the Office of the Chief Justice.  Yet as we give our little children their allowance to throw a tantrum, we are able to give the concerned Justices their time to express themselves. Their performance under the impeached former Chief Justice has provided the basis for the necessary change in the Court itself and the judiciary.  However, their personal displeasure must give way to the higher interest of helping build the nation. 

The new Chief Justice has her work cut out for her.  Her opening statement that her appointment was the will of God has opened a door for criticism. A person with an exchanged life will be able to identify who the new Chief Justice is accountable to.  We can also give Senator Joker Arroyo time to express his criticism.  Yet we all need to look forward for our new Chief Justice to walk her talk as she has to respond well to the criticism of her as person and her appointment.

Last Sunday our Pastor encouraged all to deal with criticism by being guided by the process of listening, acknowledging, taking action, thanking and explaining.  To remember easily the memory aid is the word, “LATTE”.  We were also reminded that learning follows a process of repetition until resolution.  We shall always face the similar set of circumstances until we learn the lesson needed to be learned.  

Let us end with an anecdote that can help us remember that in resisting change we should be forewarned that in a time where change is called for, not changing makes us go back again.  A pastor tells us, "After a worship service at Church, a mother with a fidgety seven-year-old boy told me how she finally got her son to sit still and be quiet." About halfway through the sermon, she leaned over and whispered, 'If you don't be quiet, Pastor Charlton is going to lose his place and will have to start his sermon all over again!'*