Church, Palace to accept verdict

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo. INQUIRER file photo

The Supreme Court will accept “whatever verdict” the Senate impeachment court will render in the case of Chief Justice Renato Corona, a justice of the highest court said Monday.

Malacañang, which had been campaigning for Corona’s removal from office, said it, too, would accept any decision that the Senate would hand down.

Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr., who has been assigned to write the Supreme Court ruling on Corona’s petition to stop his impeachment, told reporters that the draft of his decision was ready, but he partially agreed with a reporter  that it could be mooted by the Senate’s decision, which is expected Tuesday.

“We’ll accept anything. We’ll accept the verdict. Whatever it is, well accept it,” Villarama said.

But he added: “If there are adjustments to be made, we will try our best to serve the Filipino people and the nation. It’s hard if there’s no justice. That cannot be shattered.”

Villarama said the full court would resume its session on June 19.

‘Strong case’

In Malacañang, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told a news conference that the Aquino administration would accept any decision by the Senate.

“We are as ready as we will be for whatever verdict that is coming out,” Valte said.

She said, however, that based on the evidence and the admissions made during the trial, the prosecution had a “strong case” against Corona.

President Benigno Aquino III, she said, still holds that the case against Corona is strong. “The President has said as much repeatedly in the last few weeks,” she said.

‘Be objective’

At the Supreme Court, Villarama urged the senators to be “objective” in making their decision and not let political considerations affect how they vote.

“They’re all intelligent. They’re all upright. I hope there will be less politics [and they will] be objective about the whole thing for the good of the Filipino people,” Villarama said.

Villarama said that, as a member of the Supreme Court, he was also “affected” by the impeachment trial of Corona, adding that it was as if the Supreme Court itself was also under trial.

But impeachment, he said, is a process guaranteed under the Constitution. “Let’s follow it. Let’s respect it,” Villarama said.

Waiving confidentiality

Villarama said he was willing to waive the confidentiality of his bank accounts and had also released his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Supreme Court Associate Justice Roberto Abad said he was also willing to waive the confidentiality of his bank accounts, because he had “nothing to hide.”

“I’m willing. I didn’t really think hard about it because I have nothing to hide,” Abad said in a separate interview.

He said it was not a sign of support for Corona but a personal decision.

“We’re supposed to be apolitical,” Abad said.

When asked about Corona’s chances of getting acquitted, Abad said: “We’ll leave it up to God.”

At the Supreme Court Monday, employees prayed the rosary during their lunch break for Corona’s acquittal but reporters were not allowed to get into the room where they were praying.

Several Catholic bishops urged a stop to “fearless forecasts” that might influence the senators’ decision.

Speaking on Church-run Radio Veritas, Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso asked people to leave the decision to the senators.

Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez encouraged the people to pray so that “justice, truth, love and freedom” would reign as the Senate voted to decide Corona’s case.

Negative impact

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said that the decision, whether conviction or acquittal, would have a negative impact on the government and the country.

If Corona is acquitted, Pabillo said through CBCPNews, that will show how weak President Aquino is because he used the entire machinery of government to remove the Chief Justice from office.

But a decision to convict Corona will show the weakness of the judiciary, said Pabillo, who opposed the impeachment of the Chief Justice.

Pabillio urged the people, however, to pray that the senators would be fair and not allow themselves to be swayed by personal interest when they vote.

Just resign

Representative Joseph Victor Ejercito of San Juan, who was in Bacolod City on Saturday, said he hoped Corona would resign to spare himself and his family from humiliation.

Representative Maria Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales, who was also in Bacolod, said that if the decision would be based on the facts of the case and the evidence, Corona would be acquitted.

But if the senators based their decisions on political reasons, Magsaysay said, “that is a different story.”

Ordinary people’s verdict

In Mindanao, ordinary people expect Corona to be convicted. Ramil Lakadula, a jeepney driver in Davao City, said Corona was “guilty.”

Elmegilda Cabillo Tecson, a housewife, said the Chief Justice was a “liar.”

Emiliano Sahi, a security guard in Zamboanga City, said Corona deserved to be convicted.

Bobby Reynera, an abaca grower in Basilan, said he preferred acquittal for Corona, but the Chief Justice should resign to restore the good image of the Supreme Court. With reports from Christine O. Avendaño and Jocelyn R. Uy, in Manila; Carla P. Gomez, Inquirer Visayas; and Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao.