Palma willing, Vidal reluctant to mediate P-Noy, Corona rift

Two Cebu-based prelates yesterday were mixed in their response toward calls to mediate between President Benigno Aquino III and Chief Justice Renato Corona if the two leaders request them to.

“From my personal point of view, if they will request for mediation, we are willing to do it,” said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, chairman of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

For his part, Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said he won’t mediate between the two leaders as of now.

Though the CBCP has yet to discuss and issue an official statement on Aquino’s recent tirade against Corona, Palma said they are willing to mediate if only to ensure a working peace between the executive department and the judiciary.

“The idea of mediation has been floated by some bishops, but CBCP not yet discussed about it. It is not recommendable that we just immediately meddle in their concerns,” Palma said.

The prelate urged both officials to settle their conflict since their dispute won’t reflect well on the government.

Palma urged the Catholic faithful to pray for both officials to reach a good understanding between them.

Last Monday, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile suggested church mediation to resolve the rift between Aquino and Corona since it is a “non-political department.” Vidal described the rift as “unfortunate.”

“It is not a good example for our young people, especially when we take into consideration respect to those who are in authority and the institutions that we have,” the 81-year-old prelate said.

Vidal lauded Corona for keeping his cool while openly being criticized by Aquino.

“I saw it on television. He (Corona) was silent. That’s a gentleman way of answering. The Chief Justice must be an example of being a gentleman,” he said.

Vidal told reporters after a Mass he officiated at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday that he won’t mediate the two parties as of now.

He also opposed a citizen’s group signature campaign for Corona’s impeachment.

“They do not exactly understand (what they are doing). What will happen to our Supreme Court (if the chief justice will be impeached)?” he said.

Last Monday, Aquino openly criticized Corona during the first National Criminal Justice Summit held at the Manila Hotel.

Aquino picked on Corona’s appointment as chief justice and the High Court’s decisions on cases involving former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In the Palace, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the temporary restraining order the Supreme Court slapped on the government’s travel ban on Arroyo was “the trigger point” that caused the rift between the executive branch and the judiciary.

Lacierda denied that the High Court’s decision ordering the distribution of the land in the Hacienda Luisita sugar estate owned by President Aquino’s family had something to do with the Chief Executive’s series of tirades against Chief Justice Renato Corona and the High Tribunal.

“The trigger point really was the TRO. The TRO compelled us to think why is the government being prevented from presenting their side?” Lacierda said in a news briefing in Malacañang.

Lacierda wouldn’t comment on suggestions that President Aquino was laying the groundwork for the impeachment of the Chief Justice, saying Mr. Aquino has not disclosed his plans on the matter.

He did say that it wouldn’t be the first time as impeachment proceedings were started before against Chief Justice Hilario Davide.

Lacierda also cited a similar case against a Chief Justice in the US. With an Inquirer report