Cristina Corona quotes husband: Vote for leader who will uphold democracy

Incumbent and retired justices, judges and court employees pay their last respect to the late Chief Justice Renato Corona. Tetch Torres-Tupas/INQUIRER.net

Choose a leader who will respect the democratic institutions “and not those who wittingly or unwittingly shall destroy its very foundation,” Cristina Corona said on Thursday saying that is what her husband, the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, would have advised his family and friends.

“In just four days, elections for new leadership are set to be held. The fate of our country and future of democracy lie in our hands. Had CJ Rene lived until this time, he would have advised our family and friends alike this way—there is both rhyme and reason to our system of government to why three separate and co-equal branches exist.”

READ: Former Chief Justice Corona passes away

“Choose he or she who shall uphold and fend Philippine democracy and our democratic institutions and not those who wittingly or unwittingly shall destroy its very foundation. As CJ Rene had so eloquently said strong and true leadership has saved us in the past and it will continue to save us now,” Mrs. Corona said.

During her response to those who paid tribute to the late magistrate, she said there will always be threats to judicial independence.

“The war is not yet over. Facing yet another test of courage and will to either fight for and uphold judicial independence or crumble at the fate of our oppressors both masked or unmasked,” Mrs. Corona said.

“Do not fear for you have the past to guide you never to let the same injustices happen again,” Mrs. Corona said as she described her husband as the first casualty in the fight for judicial independence.

Corona served as the 23rd Chief Justice from May 17, 2010 to May 29, 2012.

His appointment was denounced by then presidential candidate and now President Benigno Aquino III. After Aquino won, he refused to recognize Corona, bumped off tradition and took his oath of office before then Supreme Court Associate Justice, now Ombudsman, Conchita Carpio-Morales.

However, the Supreme Court (SC), in the case of Arturo M. De Castro vs. Judicial and Bar Council, affirmed the Aquino’s right as the incumbent president to appoint the Chief Justice. Voting 9-1, the high court said the 90-day period for the president to fill the vacancy in the SC is a special provision and that the appointment ban does not extend to the SC.

READ: What Went Before: Charges against former Chief Justice Corona

Corona was the first official to be removed from office by impeachment, ending a two-year rift with Aquino attributing his removal from office to the high court’s unanimous decision awarding the 6,400 hectare Hacienda Luisita, owned by Aquino’s family to farmers.

His classmate, Associate Justice Arturo Brion, said Corona chose to fight the allegations against him rather than quit his post.

“To surrender is not the choice. It is the Judiciary that they want to tame and bring to its knees, not Renato Corona. Independence is not solely mine to give away,” Brion said quoting his conversation with Corona following rumors that he will be impeached by Congress.

“He suffered yet he fought with utmost dignity…In the end, he paid dearly for his cherished values,” Brion said.

A year after his impeachment, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada revealed that lawmakers received their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) ahead of Corona’s conviction.

Lawmakers were also questioning the high court’s control over the Judiciary Development Fund (JDF).

The JDF is pooled from the revenues of the judiciary from all legal fees the courts collect. Separate bills have been filed to amend the JDF, remove the high court’s discretion and lodge it in the National Treasury. Currently, the high court alone controls the JDF.

When asked about their feelings towards the Aquino administration, Corona’s daughter Cherie said,  “even after [the impeachment], he said we have to forgive. Vengeance is not ours, it’s God’s. So, we just move on and be at peace.” RAM