Robredo: Impeach case vs Corona to end ‘tyranny of judiciary’

MANILA, Philippines — Impeachment was the only recourse against the “tyranny of the judiciary,” Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said on Tuesday.

He defended members of the House of Representatives against criticisms when they swiftly impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona on Monday, saying this was not a case of the executive and the legislative branches “ganging up” on the judiciary.

“Impeachment is provided for in the Constitution. The intent is to resolve impasses such as what we have now,” Robredo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“There is such a thing as the tyranny of the judiciary. Impeachment can be the only recourse,” he said.

Robredo said impeachment was a two-step process in Congress, and there was “no ganging up” involved between the legislative and the executive.

“[The government was] just using the available legal recourse,” he said.