Showdown on Supreme Court succession inevitable.

Byline: Amando Doronila

SINCE THE RESTORATION OF democracy in 1986, the Philippines has undergone two turbulent transitions of power: During the first People Power Revolution and during Edsa II in 2001, when President Joseph Estrada stepped down and then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over in a constitutional coup backed by the Supreme Court and the Armed Forces.

After nine years of tumultuous presidency, Ms Arroyo is stepping down on June 30, also amid controversy, this time over the successor to Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who is due to retire on May 17.

There is irony in the situation: Puno was the author of the landmark Supreme Court decision that held Estrada had resigned the presidency, following the collapse of his administration, under the now famous doctrine called the totality test.

Under the doctrine, which legitimized the takeover of Ms Arroyo, Estrada should be considered resigned …