MANILA, Philippines – Chief Justice Renato Corona calmly took, on Monday, President Aquino’s verbal attacks directed at him and the justices of the Supreme Court over their supposed questionable actions.
Reporters who covered the event immediately sought Corona’s reaction shortly after the President publicly rebuked the high tribunal during his keynote address at the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit in Manila Hotel on Monday.
The chief justice refused to directly comment on Mr. Aquino’s tongue-lashing and shied away from the media.
“Just let it be. It’s almost Christmas. Let’s think of peace,” Corona said, smiling.
Keeping his cool, Corona shook hands with the President twice before the latter left the venue.
Corona had been at odds with the President, who had openly made known his displeasure over the former’s appointment as head of the highest court of the land by former President and now Pampanga Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
When he was sworn in as the country’s 15th head of state, Mr. Aquino broke the tradition as he chose to take his oath before then Senior Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales instead of the sitting chief justice.