Bishops urge public to be critical in impeachment issue

MANILA, Philippines—Some Catholic bishops said Wednesday they believed that embattled Chief Justice Renato Corona was facing  a “political trial” and reminded the public about the need to be critical and not to be quick in passing judgment as critics of the top magistrate continue to unearth evidence that he amassed questionable wealth.

“If they have a case against Corona, they must prove it, they must continue to investigate, but the public must learn to be critical on the issue and must not be quick to judge while nothing has been proven yet,” Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani said over Radio Veritas.

“We remind them that not because someone is being investigated, he is already guilty,” added Bacani.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes echoed the same thoughts on Radio Veritas.

Bastes added that unearthing documents showing that Corona supposedly amassed illegal wealth was “a strategy” to ensure a successful impeachment trial “just like what happened to former President Joseph Estrada who was ousted.”

(Estrada’s impeachment trial was not completed as prosecutors walked out when the senator-judges refused to open a second envelope believed to contain damning evidence. Subsequent mass protests forced Estrada to leave Malacañang.)

“That is how the impeachment goes.  It is not a court [trial] but a political one,” said Bastes.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz warned senators against engaging in grandstanding at Corona’s impeachment trial.

Cruz said he expected the trial to be a “telenovela” in the making as some reelectionist senators were sure to take their time in voting so as to secure victory in the 2013 elections.

“There will be many motions that will be filed, so it’s going to be a very long process… and since the 2013 balloting is fast approaching, many senators seeking reelection will consider their bid in whatever decision they make in the trial,” said Cruz.