Chief Justice Renato Corona INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Will it be an impeachment case against Chief Justice Renato Corona, or an “Occupy Supreme Court” movement?
Whatever it is, President Benigno Aquino III is holding his cards close to his chest after launching an unprecedented attack on the high tribunal and its chief magistrate, whose legitimacy and integrity he has questioned.
“I do not tell you my plans or anybody else,” President Aquino told reporters Wednesday in a chance interview after he attended the awarding of this year’s most outstanding village courts in the country.
“I think at this point in time, it is important these questions should be propounded,” the President said when asked whether he would support any move in Congress to impeach Corona.
The President was referring to the questions that he had raised on the controversial rulings the high court had made in favor of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“Can I just say that I started with questions and somehow these questions are somehow growing and seemed to have no response or answers,” he replied.
Midnight appointment
In Monday’s First National Criminal Justice Summit, Mr. Aquino questioned in front of Corona the court’s decision to junk the Philippine Truth Commission that would have investigated the alleged misdeeds in the Arroyo administration as well as the President’s efforts to stop Arroyo from leaving the country for medical treatment of her bone ailment.
The President also raised anew the so-called “midnight appointment” of Corona. He said the Constitution banned appointments made within two months before the end of the term of the President.
Corona was appointed after the May 10, 2010, elections. The appointment was questioned in the Supreme Court, which ruled that the ban Mr. Aquino mentioned did not apply to Corona, a decision which the executive branch later acknowledged.
Several hours after his nationally televised blast against Corona, Mr. Aquino called on his party allies at a Christmas party in Malacañang and urged them to rally behind his campaign to hold Arroyo and others accountable for alleged misdeeds.
He did not say what his ultimate plans were, but in addition to suggestions of impeachment, Palace officials and proadministration commentators had raised the possibility of a protest movement similar to the Occupy Wall Street movement that had sparked worldwide indignation against corporate greed and financial bailouts of distressed economies.
Gutierrez case
The President had been less coy when he tangled with then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez for allegedly sitting on corruption cases involving Arroyo. He had addressed his party mates early this year and gave them the go-signal to ensure the impeachment of Gutierrez. But she chose to resign soon after.
Mr. Aquino said he had been speaking with an official from the League of Cities who he said was confused by the flip flopping of high court decisions on cityhood laws, especially regarding budget allocations.
He said the official told him that funds of many cities entitled to the internal revenue allotment (IRA) were “substantially” dipping, adding that local officials did not know “how to situate themselves” when it came to getting their IRA share.
The President cited the case of Dinagat Governor Ruben Ecleo Jr., who was advised by the high court that his island was no longer a province, thus resulting in a halt in his budget disbursements.
“The point is, at the end of the day, all that we are doing affects the people—in all branches of the government,” he said.
During the awarding ceremonies of model village peace officers, Mr. Aquino repeated the theme of his blasts against the tribunal.
“Whether you are rich or poor, in office or just an ordinary citizen, the law has to be above all in the straight path. We are ready to take on anybody, because I know the nation is behind me in looking for the truth, in wanting to punish those who are at fault and in letting justice prevail,” he said.
“We are doing what is right and we will stay with what is right. In the straight path, we will not stop going after thieves and those who attempt to deceive our countrymen.”
Bishops’ mediation
Asked whether he was open to offers by bishops to mediate talks between him and Corona, the President replied: “Of course, but at the same time, that doesn’t mean we never tried.”
The high court on Wednesday welcomed the bishops’ offer.
“I would like to think that the Chief Justice will make himself available if and when there is really an invitation for a dialogue from the bishops,” Jose Midas Marquez, the Supreme Court administrator and spokesperson, said in a news briefing.
Marquez also said the court would not let itself be drawn into a verbal spat with Malacañang. “There is nothing really on our end that would… make the situation worse,” he said. With reports from Norman Bordadora and Marlon Ramos