Priest-legal expert calls on media to be supportive of judicial independence

MANILA, Philippines—A Catholic priest and legal expert on Thursday called on the media to be supportive of judicial independence in the midst of impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“Media is a business and it has an agenda of its own. I appeal to the media to be supportive of judicial independence rather than hinder judicial independence,” Fr. Ranhilio C. Aquino, Chair of Jurisprudence and Legal Philosophy of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) and Dean, Graduate School of Law, San Beda College Media told reporters in an interview.

For example, Aquino said there is a criminal case and the broadcaster has been telling his listeners that the accused is guilty.

“If the broadcaster will say that, how can the judge render a decision contrary to what the broadcaster was saying without being subject of criticism?”

“Pre-empting the case, that is my fear,” he added.

Meanwhile, he lauded Senate President and Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Juan Ponce-Enrile for handling the impeachment trial very well.

“I hope, after this is done we will be a healed nation,” he said.