Aquino supports impeachment move against Chief Justice Corona—Solon

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III is supporting the impeachment move against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, his ally in the House of Representatives said on Tuesday.

Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., who initiated the impeachment bid, said Aquino gave his full support behind the move when they informed him about their decision to impeach Corona.

“Malacanang has no instruction, no direct directions from Malacanang. But since this is a political process, when we decided, the House of Representatives few days ago, pinaalam pa rin po namin sa ating pangulo that this is our decision. Ang sagot lang po ng ating pangulo, suportado nya ito (we informed our president that this is our decision. The response of our President is that he supports this),” Tupas told reporters when he and Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo Umali transmitted to the complaint to the Senate.

But when asked what he meant by “no direct instructions from Malacanang,” the lawmaker immediately corrected himself and clarified that there was no instruction at all.

“No, no. Walang instruction. Walang sinsabing i-impeach yan (There were no instructions. We were not told to impeach him),” Tupas said.

“In fact, when we told the President that the House has decided to impeach the Chief Justice, [he said] it’s your prerogative, sole prerogative of the House pero sabi niya, ako susuporta lang ako (but he said he will still support it),” he said.

The President Aquino did not say however how he would give his support for the impeachment bid.

Tupas said they have a strong case against Corona, citing a number of witnesses that they will present during the impeachment trial. He did not give further details.

“Marami po kaming testigo. May may mga testigo kami na importante at siguro ngayon lang lalabas (We have many witnesses. We have witnesses who ate important and who will probably come forward just now),” he further said.