By 20 votes against three, the Senate of the 15th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, sitting as an Impeachment Court, yesterday found Renato C. Corona, the 23rd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC), guilty of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for under-declaring his riches in his Sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
Soon afterwards, Corona issued a statement accepting the decision.
Everyone, not least the lawyers, should now close ranks behind the Constitution, which reserves to the Senate the power to try and remove by impeachment officials like the Chief Justice.
Statements by Serafin Cuevas, Corona’s lead counsel, and lawyer Oliver Lozano, a supporter, that they may question the Senate’s decision before the High Tribunal, amount to ungraciousness in defeat at the least and malicious rabble-rousing at the most.
We trust that the remaining associate justices of the SC will throw out appeals for review out of respect for the Constitution and a co-equal branch of government that acted on behalf of the sovereign people.
Let’s move on and ignore actions that may spark a constitutional crisis.
Moving on involves several steps.
First, the nation, especially public officials and the entire civil service, need to live the forceful call for honesty, transparency and accountability that resounds from Corona’s impeachment and conviction.
Second, our lawyers, all under the umbrella of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, must try harder to be advocates of the spirit rather than just the letter of the law.
Third, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales must build an airtight case in prosecuting Corona in a court of law, considering that—as former chief justice Artemio Panganiban wrote—Corona’s possession of money that is not commensurate with his income is prima facie evidence of ill-gotten wealth.
The Filipino culture of pity must not derail the government’s quest to run after the unscrupulous. Morales and the entire machinery of the Tanodbayan should be wielded to ascertain that all public workers gained their wealth solely by dint of honest dignified work.
Fourth, President Benigno Aquino III, who has to select the next Chief Justice and a new associate justice, must, fulfill his campaign promise to open his bank accounts if he wishes to silence his critics and show himself a man of his word.
Fifth, Filipino citizens should closely watch the process of selecting the next Chief Justice and associate justice. Corona’s downfall, while a direct result of dishonesty in his SALN, is tied to his midnight appointment by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Finally, moving on means fleshing out “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.”
In this election year, this means citizens calling to account the officials they elected in 2010 and weighing their honesty and performance as public servants.
After Corona, it can boil down to their SALN and what they have actually accomplished for their people.