Puno cites media’s role in May polls
BY JOHNNY P. DAYANG

WE fully agree with Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno when he pointed out that the May 14 elections should be transparent and the results credible, otherwise, we will revert to the syndrome of mistrust that had plagued our elections in the past.
In his speech at the oathtaking of the officers of the Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI) at the historic Manila Hotel last March 14, 2007, Puno did not mince words in castigating the way politicians handle their campaigns, saying that the political, social and economic issues that the Filipino people will have to dissect are many and mind-boggling.
Puno hit the proverbial nail right on the head when he said that the people need to know how those who seek to serve them would approach or solve these problems. He said that “these problems need perceptive prescriptions, for they will not go away because of any song or dance number, however, popular the performer may be” (underscoring ours).
He went on to say that the troubles of tomorrow can be given meaningful solutions only by the cerebral and not by the celebrated and certainly not by those who have not demonstrated any kind of civilizing influence.
Filipinos live in a society where the tie that binds them is becoming more tenuous, “where disunity seriously threatens our tranquility, where mistrust of one another’s attitude governs just about every personal or impersonal relationship,” he continued.
He said media could provide transparency to the elections. “The media have more eyes that see better, more ears that hear better, more loquacious tongues that speak the truth more clearly. In fine, the media are the better bearers of the light of truth… the only light that can disperse the gathering of darkness that threatens our electoral process.”
Indeed, it is media’s job to enlighten our people on the qualifications of candidates, both in the national and local levels, and to get their views or solutions to our problems. They have no business running for public office if they can not comprehend much less offer solutions to our many problems. As Justice Puno said, “elections must bring out the best and the brightest of our people, for we cannot endure any reign of ignorance.”
“Needless to state, we need an informed and intelligent electorate that cannot be misled by the smoke-and-mirror tricks by the magicians of politics.” Puno said.
Puno’s impressive credentials
Puno, an associate justice since June 28, 2003, was appointed chief justice by President Arroyo last Dec. 8, 2006.
He earned his law degree from the University of the Philippines where he also served as editor of the Philippines Collegian. I came to know him during our college days as colleagues in the College Editors Guild (CEG). Early on, I have already perceived his burning desire to serve the country from his writings and in conversations with him during gatherings of student leaders. At that time, he was already calling for youth involvement in national affairs - an advocacy he has carried on today.
He finished post-graduate studies at the Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas (Master of Comparative Laws), University of California, Berkeley (Doctor of Judicial Science).
In 1971, he joined the Office of the Solicitor General, where he would serve for the next nine years.
In 1980, Puno was appointed by the late President Marcos as a justice of the court of appeals. He rejoined the executive department in 1984, this time as a deputy minister of justice. Upon the assumption into office of President Cory Aquino in1986, Puno was reappointed to the Court of Appeals.
Traditionally, the most senior associate justice was appointed to fill any vacancy to the seat of the chief justice, though this tradition was not always observed. Upon the retirement of Chief Justice Hilario Davide in 2005, Puno, as the senior associate justice, was a leading candidate for chief justice but President Arroyo opted for Associate Justice Artemio Panganiban, making the first time in 20 years that the senior associate justice was bypassed. Within hours after the retirement of Panganiban, Puno was appointed chief justice.