Aquino to Corona: Face the people

President Benigno Aquino III and Chief Justice Renato Corona shake hands at the First Criminal Justice Summit, a week before Corona is impeached by the House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III has called on beleaguered Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona to face the impeachment complaint filed against him as he commended his allies for bringing the case to the Senate.

“Ginoong Corona sa Kongreso at Senado harapin mo ang pinagmulan mo ng poder mo, ang taumbayan [Mr. Corona, in Congress and in the Senate, face the real source of your power, the people], ” Aquino said in a speech on Tuesday.

The impeachment process, he said, would give Corona an opportunity to answer the charges lodged against him.

“Magkakaroon po ng pagkakataon si Ginoong Corona na tugunan ang mga paratang at panagutan ang diumanoy kanyang mga kasalanan. Lilitisin po sya sa ilalim ng isang prosesong magbubunyag sa taumbayan ng buong katotohanan ukol sa kanyang pagkakanulo sa tiwala ng publiko at tahasang paglabag sa Saligang Batas,” Aquino added.

The impeachment bid, the President said, only showed the legislative’s ability to defend the interest of the people. He then thanked the lawmakers who initiated and supported the impeachment bid.

Aquino denied that he was behind any move to discredit the Supreme Court.

“Hindi po ako ang sumisira sa kanyang institusyon. Sa kanyang pagtanggi na panagutin si Ginang Arroyo, inuubos ni Ginoong Corona ang dangal ng Korte Suprema,” the President added.