Iloilo judges, court employees in sit-down strike to back Corona

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Judges and court employees in Iloilo joined a sit-down strike on Wednesday to show support for embattled Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Employees reported to the Chief Justice Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice wearing black as part of a nationwide protest after Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives on Monday.

Iloilo City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Danilo Galvez said judges and around 300 employees of 18 RTCs reported for work but all court sessions and transactions have been suspended for the day. Similar protest actions were expected in city and municipal courts.

“There is a perception among judges and court employees that the chief justice is being persecuted by an equal branch of government,” Galvez told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.