Local gov’t execs back Corona impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines—Saying the impeachment trial is not just about “legal but moral” issues, local chief executives have called on the Supreme Court and Senate to let the trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona continue unimpeded by legal obstacles.

The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the umbrella organization of all local government leagues nationwide, issued a statement expressing “support and confidence” in the ongoing impeachment trial.

Provincial governors belonging to the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) also expressed support for the continuation of the trial despite Corona’s claim that the impeachment proceedings have turned into an “inquisition.”

The governors envision an impeachment trial that is unrestrained by the legal shackles arising from the injunction order issued by the Supreme Court last week on foreign currency deposits belonging to the Chief Justice. With a 13-10 vote, the Senate upheld the TRO on Monday.

The governors want the voice of the local government units (LGUs) and their constituents to be heard “outside of the halls of the Senate,” said Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte, LPP executive vice president, in a phone interview.

“What is at stake is not just legal, but moral,” said Villafuerte, pointing to the people’s expectation for jurists to be beyond reproach.

The move in the LPP is being spearheaded by Villafuerte, who met last week with other members of the Bicol bloc (Region 5): Villafuerte (Camarines Sur), Edgardo Tallado (Camarines Norte), Raul Lee (Sorsogon), Rizalina Seachon-Lanete (Masbate), Joseph Cua (Catanduanes), and Joey Salceda (Albay).

Gov. Alfonso V. Umali Jr. of Oriental Mindoro is president of ULAP, but its statement is attributed to its executive director Sonia Lorenzo.

In a strongly worded statement, ULAP warned that the “public must be vigilant against any attempt to derail the impeachment trial.”