Chief Justice Renato Corona embraces his wife Cristina during a mass held at the Supreme Court. Mrs. Corona joined the Supreme Court employees' "Red Monday" by wearing a red shirt bearing the words "Acquit CJ Corona". TETCH TORRES/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Supreme Court employees on Monday offered a mass for Chief Justice Renato Corona who is set to testify on the impeachment trial against him on Tuesday.
“For Chief Justice Corona, may God continue to bless and protect him. May God’s spirit ne his counsel and guide and may mother Mary embrace him,” Assistant Court Administrator Antonio Eugenio read the prayer.
Some 200 high court employees clad in red shirts attended the mass held at the Supreme Court quadrangle. They said they chose that color because it symbolizes courage.
Court employees added that they sought to show the chief justice their support and solidarity as he “toils in the vineyard of justice.”
Present during the mass was the chief magistrate’s wife, Cristina, and children Carla and Francis. They were joined by Associate Justices Roberto Abad, Teresita Leonardo De Castro, Jose Perez, Jose Catalan Mendoza.
Lipa, Batangas Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, who led the mass, said “this is not the last recourse. There is a final tribunal that we will have to answer to. There, our evil deeds will be the witness against ourselves and our good deeds will be a witness for our salvation.”
The Archbishop, in his homily said the country is weak because “Filipinos destroy Filipinos.” He said there are other problems that should be attended to in order to strengthen the country.
“Padami ng padami ang nagugutom sa bansa,” he said during the ambush interview.
“Let us rise up and promise God and let us not follow outside God’s forces. Let us submit our battles to Him and He will fight for us,” said Arguelles.
Judiciary officials and employees vowed to stage a show of force for the chief justice.
Supreme Court Employees Association (SCEA) president Jojo Guerrero said court employees will start with candle lighting at 4 o’clock in the morning at the Supreme Court grounds and an inter-faith mass will follow.