Quoting a Learned Filipino Jurist

Friday, November 28, 2008

As I have previously claimed that "we have some of the best laws in the world and even better writers in our halls of justice... comparable to some of the learned jurists in the world," allow me to share this quote from the dissenting opinion of then Associate Justice Reynato Puno in Tolentino vs. COMELEC.

"Rule by the ignorant majority is a sham democracy - a mobocracy - for in the words of Jefferson, a nation cannot be both free and ignorant. If there is anything that democracy cannot survive, it is the virus of ignorance.

"Free elections does not only mean that the voter is not physically restrained from going to the polling booth, but also that the voter is unrestrained by the bondage of ignorance.

"We should be resolute in affirming the right of the electorate to proper information. The Court should not forfeit its role as gatekeeper of our democratic government run by an informed majority. Let us not open the door to ignorance."

I came across this stirring dissent while studying for my Election Law class tonight. This dissenting opinion is not even the best work of Chief Justice Puno, but it showcases his scholarship and breadth of wisdom.