Anti-Corona protesters stage a rally in Manila on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, to demand the resignation of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona. Karen Boncocan/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – If Wednesday was declared a “court holiday” by judges and court employees nationwide in support of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, anti-corruption groups part of the Bantay Gloria Network dubbed Friday as the “people’s holiday from injustice and impunity,” trooping to the Supreme Court Friday urging Corona to step down from public office.
Leah Navarro of the Black and White movement called Wednesday’s court holiday as being “prejudicial to public interest,” adding that the activity was “an abuse of power.”
Akbayan Party spokesperson Risa Hontiveros said that removing Corona from his post was a necessary step in restoring “integrity to the high court and remove Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s last defenses.”
She said that Corona’s argument of his impeachment being “an attack of the executive on the judicial branch is pure fallacy.”
“Si Corona ay bunga ng isang nakalalasong puno kaya nararapat lamang na ituwid ang mga pagkakamali at siya’y tanggalin sa puwesto bilang Punong Mahistrado. Tanggalin na ang Corona ni Gloria,” Jolly Lais of Bangsamoro Solidarity Movement said.
He added that with Corona sitting as chief justice, “walang makakalusot na batas na magsusulong ng tunay na reporma’t pagbabago sa ating lipunan.”
Lais further said that Arroyo would likely never see the inside of a detention cell with Corona in office.
Corona will “destroy the judiciary beyond repair” should he remain Chief Justice, said Hontiveros, explaining that the official “consistently towed the line and gave in to every whim of Arroyo.”
“Make the ultimate sacrifice of resigning… [and] spare the judiciary from being dragged down by this impeachment by resigning or at least taking leave while the impeachment trial is ongoing,” Navarro told Corona.
She urged the chief justice to “lighten up our Christmas by considering resignation. Huwag na niya idamay ang mga kasama niya sa Supreme Court. He’ll feel much better if he decides to resign.”
The Association of Law Students in the Philippines (ALSP), Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP), Akbayan Party, Black and White Movement, People Power Volunteers for Reforms (PPVR), Kilusan para sa Makabansang Ekonomiya (KME), Liberal Party, Repormar, Alab Katipunan, Anak Mindanao (AMIN), Bangsamoro Solidarity Movement (Bangsa), Reform ARMM Now (RAN), Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), Akbayan-youth, Kabataang Liberal, Pinoy Power, Yellow Ribbon Movement, Kubol-Pagasa, FPJPM, and the Rebolusyong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM-Guardians) marched from Orosa, Manila at 1 p.m. calling for Corona’s resignation.
FASAP criticized Corona for recalling the valid Resolution of the Supreme Court favoring the 1,400 Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight attendants who were illegally retrenched by PAL in 1998. The Supreme Court had ruled on the case three times, with finality, but recalled the final decision after PAL lawyer Estelito Mendoza wrote letters to the high tribunal.
Lawyer Jamar Kulayan, Western Mindanao Chair of Reform ARMM Now said he flew to Manila to join the solidarity protest of Moros holding their last day of vigil in Metro Manila culminating in a Friday congressional prayer in front of the Supreme Court building.
The Moro communities in Taguig, Maharlika, Quiapo, Tandang Sora and other communities sent their representatives to join the prayer and the rally.
The prayer sought to ask for divine intervention to enlighten the high court justices to fast track the resolution of the case. “Jumaah”, the regular Muslim Friday Congressional prayer is where important issues affecting the Muslim communities are being discussed by the Imam. The prayer was attended by Muslims coming from various communities in Metro Manila. The group, some 200 members of which sat on the pavement, called on the high court to “reaffirm its ruling expeditiously” and “decide for immediate execution.”
Members of BANGSA, clutching green balloons and banners with “Resign Corona, Now Na” emblazoned on them, started their program past 1 p.m. while waiting for the other groups to arrive from Orosa.
“As long as CJ [Chief Justice] Corona sits in the SC, there is no movement for reform,” said Pendatun Disimban, Vice-President of BANGSA.
By 2 p.m. the portion of Padre Faura Street fronting the gates of the Supreme Court were filled with protesters airing their sentiments through songs and chants.
Jesse Dimaisip of Akbayan said that some 3000 activists joined the rally in front of the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Senior Police Officer 4 Tom Corpuz of Station 5 of the Manila Police District said that their men fanned out along Padre Faura Street which has been blocked from motorists while activists held their activities.
“We are not sure how long they will hold their program but we’re here to maintain peace and order. Our men have been dispatched along Padre Faura,” said the police officer who stood with several other lawmen a few feet away from the protesters.