MANILA, Philippines – An impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona will face rough sailing in the Senate as members warned they would ignore political affiliations and vote on the merits of the case that would be presented.
Of the 16 senators asked before the afternoon session on Monday, 13 said they were obliged to scrutinize first the contents of a complaint before deciding whether Corona would deserve the boot.
They are Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Vicente Sotto III, Edgardo Angara, Pia Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Teofisto Guingona III, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Sergio Osmeña III, Francis Pangilinan, Aquilino Pimentel III and Ramon Revilla Jr.
Senator Gregorio Honasan said he would not support an impeachment complaint against Corona “unless it would put food on the table, send children to school, bring lasting peace and resolve armed conflict.”
Two senators who requested anonymity said they are inclined to vote “yes” to the impeachment.
“The problem of the country is basically economic and impeachment is a political exercise. Will impeachment help solve our economic problems? If the [proponents] say ‘yes,’ I will support the impeachment,” Honasan said in a phone interview.
“I have had enough conflict to last me ten lifetimes. I was elected to be part of solution, not the problem,” added the former Army colonel who launched seven coup attempts against the first Aquino administration.
Honasan’s colleagues however, were more cautious with their replies during the informal survey made by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “We would be sitting in judgment so I cannot make a categorical statement about any initiative (against Corona),” said Enrile.
Estrada said Corona’s accusers better make sure the grounds they would present have enough basis.
“It has to be a really grave offense,” he explained.
Sotto said a categorical decision at this point could affect the credibility of a senator.
Not aware of Honasan’s position, Sotto sent a text message that read: “Ang senador na sumagot agad ng ‘yes’ or ‘no’ ay ’di mabuting senador.”
Lacson agreed, saying, “I don’t think there’s one senator who would give even a hint on how he will vote without the benefit of trial and appreciation of the evidence to be presented by both prosecution and defense.”
Senators with legal backgrounds also put in their two cents’ worth.
Senator Pia Cayetano said she must first see the basis of any impeachment complaint to be sent by the House of Representatives.
Pangilinan reminded the Supreme Court that the impeachment process “should not be viewed as an attempt to destabilize the court but rather as a legal and constitutional remedy available as a means to exact accountability for possible abuses that may be committed by those in the [tribunal].”
“Justices are not gods who ought to be worshipped or venerated but are human beings who, too, can commit wrongdoing and who are also accountable to the people,” he added.
Pimentel assured the Supreme Court it still enjoys his trust “as a lawyer … but the [magistrates] also have a duty to improve quality of their decisions. That should be the constant objective of any court.”
Escudero reminded Corona’s supporters that in case an impeachment complaint reaches the Senate, “it is a legal process that is part of a healthy democracy.”
“It would be part of our job to hear it. An impeachment [trial] is the sole prerogative of the Senate,” he explained.
In separate interviews, Angara, Osmena, Legarda and Guingona refused to comment, reminding that they would sit as senator-judges in case an impeachment trial pushes through.