Corona: ‘Spread God’s love’

Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona

MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Renato Corona refrained from bashing his critics, especially those pushing for his impeachment including President Benigno Aquino III in his speech and instead called on the people to spread God’s love.

“We should continue spreading God’s love,” Corona said in his speech before Supreme Court employees after the ecumenical mass officiated by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle.

“We can only consider ourselves worthy of the sacred gift only if we can love, care and show compassion for others,” he added.

Corona thanked court employees for their support.

“As head of the Supreme Court family, I draw strength and inspiration from your trust and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“You, together with my family have served as my anchor and as I look forward, it is my fervent hope that you shall remain steadfast and continue helping the court to bring our people to a better and more dignified claims in society,” Corona said.

Corona, his wife Tina and children, Francis and Carla, attended the mass along Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco, Teresita Leonardo De Castro, Arturo Brion, Jose Mendoza, Bienvenido Reyes, Jose Perez, Mariano Del Castillo and Estela Perlas Bernabe.

Reyes and Bernabe are Aquino appointees.

Senior Associate Antonio Carpio along with Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno did not attend the mass. Carpio was Corona’s closest rival for the Chief Justice post.

In an ambush interview, Corona said attacks against him were “just politicking.”

He however, refused to give further comments about his impeachment, saying his legal team has advised him not to talk after he received the summons from the impeachment court.