Critics agree that much of Southeast Asia desperately needs judicial reform and rule of law. Yet, there is remarkably little comparative scholarship on law and legal institutions in the region. In this blog, I'll follow constitutional developments in Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Monday, April 4, 2011
Revenge of the Lawyers
During the Arroyo administration, progressive lawyers were some of the Philippine president's harshest critics. Now, with the impeachment against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, an Arroyo ally, approaching, lawyers are volunteering in droves to assist the House of Representatives legal team. I'd noted earlier that progressive lawyers are increasingly unlikely to view the Supreme Court as an ally. It seems they might be drifting back towards the elected branches of government to pursue their goals. This makes me wonder however whether the Supreme Court will have enough stakeholders to maintain its independence. If not lawyers, who has a stake in the court?
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