Corona lawyers ask 2 SC justices to inhibit from handling petition

MANILA, Philippines—Lawyers of Chief Justice Renato Corona today asked for two Associate Justices of the Supreme Court to inhibit from handling their petition seeking to nullify the articles of impeachment filed against the high court’s chief.

“It is publicly known that the Honorable Justices Antonio Carpio and Ma. Lourdes Sereno have been critical of Chief Justice Renato Corona. More importantly, Justices Carpio and Sereno are openly touted as the likely replacements, in the event that CJ Corona is removed from office,” the motion to inhibit stated.

In the motion, Corona’s defense lawyers said in the case of Justice Carpio, “it is well known that he begrudged CJ Corona on the latter’s appointments as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. While there have been public displays of civility, the enmity and rivalry between him and CJ Corona is common knowledge. It is not uncommon to find them on different sides of most judicial matters.”

With regards to Sereno, the motion stated that Sereno’s arrival at the Supreme Court “signaled a new period of difficulty and embarrassment for CJ Corona. She has openly defied and challenged the authority of CJ Corona. More importantly she is listed among the witnesses to be summoned by the prosecution in the impeachment trial against CJ Corona.”

They said it is basic that a judge should not only be impartial but must dutifully observe the perception of impartiality.

“In this case, the animosity of Justices Carpio and Sereno against CJ Corona has become public knowledge, casting doubt on their ability to render impartial justice,” the motion stated.