Verdict may improve youth’s view of gov’t

THE verdict against  Chief Justice Renato Corona may do good for the country’s youth and reduce the culture of impunity where  people in power think of themselves as “untouchables,” said a university sociologist in Cebu.

“Whenever I ask my students what they think about government, they’d say it’s full of corruption. At least with what happened now, their peception may change,” said  Zona Hildegarde S. Amper, University of San Carlos (USC) Sociology and Anthropology professor.

Amper said the impeachment of Corona “sends a signal to officials and judges that one cannot get away with dishonesty.”

But more work lies ahead.

“We cannot say with one step the government will be cleansed,” she said.

The sociologist said she agrees with the verdict because “it’s a matter of violation of not just the law but social law as well.”

However, Amper said she was “dismayed by Joker (Arroyo),” one of the three senators who voted to acquit Corona.

“I looked up to him as a human rights lawyer in terms of norms and standards,” she said.

She said she doesn’t believe the outcome would make President Aquino more powerful as he holds the authority to appoint the next chief justice.

“I think this is part of the efforts to clean the government. Let’s give the President the benefit of the doubt,” she added.

Another anthropology professor Lorylie Crisostomo welcomed the Senate trial outcome.

“He (Corona) may not be impeachable by pure legal arguments, but what credibility will the SC  have when a Supreme Court Justice is capable of violations? If not impeached, then all non-declaration of SALNs can be rationalized. Moral and professional obligations are imperative in his case. What is more interesting would be the social and political impact of the decision on Philippine policies and governance,” she said n a text message.

“The impact may be on stricter implementation of existing laws, modifications of laws, more transparency, social concern, etc. /Correspondent Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua