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Noynoy Aquino vs Renato Corona and the issue of judicial independence

21122011
We know that theres no love lost between Chief Justice Renato Corona and President Benigno Aquino III even before the former was officially sworn in by ex President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the leader of the high court. The tensions reached incredible heights this year. Last September, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Malacaang reduced the judiciarys 2012 budget to P13.396 billion and transferred the allocation for unfilled positions to the miscellaneous personnel benefit fund (MPBF), which would be under the control of the Office of the President. Just last month, Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima openly defied a Supreme Court temporary restraining order which effectively allows CGMA to travel abroad. Then shortly, the SC ordered the distribution of the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita to farmers. Reeling from successive judicial setbacks, Aquino went on the offensive launching a tirade against the Chief Justice (despite being just inches apart) during his keynote remarks at the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit last December 5. Virgilio Bugaoisan of the Daily Tribune writes:

Did Aquino throw aside proper public decorum when he attacked Corona during a judicial summit?

Throwing good manners, presidential dignity and respect for a co-equal and independent branch, as well as proper breeding out the window, President Aquino went much too far yesterday as he insulted Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona to his face in a Justice Summit organized by the high court with the Department of Justice and the Interior and Local Governments department. The chief justice was just a few meters away from him during the opening of the summit held at the Manila Hotel, stoic in his demeanor.

Showing good manners, breeding, and dignity befitting his office, the chief justice was seen as impassive and silent even amid the charge of Aquino that it was the SC that violated the Constitution, and not he.
In a response read by Supreme Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez, the high tribunal described Aquinos tirades as disturbing, saying:

SC spokesperson Jose Midas Marquez: "(It is) unusual for the Chief Executive to look down on the members of the Judiciary in public ... to ... denounce the Courts independent actions" (photo from central.com.ph)

It is not at all unusual for the Executive Branch to disagree with the Judicial Branch. But what is considerably unusual is for the Chief Executive to look down on the members of the Judiciary in public at a Justice Sector Coordinating Council session, and to their faces denounce the Courts independent actions, as the Chief Justice sat speechless, motionless and expressionless because of the requirements of protocol, he added.
As succeeding events revealed, the frontal attack by Aquino on Corona is just a teaser on an impeachment initiative to be launched against the latter by the formers lapdogs in the House of Representatives. Last December 12, the leaders of the lower house were able to gather 188 signatures to immediately transmit the articles of impeachment against Corona to the Senate for trial bypassing the need for hearings at the committee level to determine if the charges are sufficient in form and substance.Interviewed by the Philippine Star, Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali said that because of the overwhelming number of House members endorsing the complaint, Chief Justice Corona is virtually impeached.

Gloria Arroyo swearing in Renato Corona as Chief Justice (from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The senators, led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, will serve as the judges during the trial. Two-thirds of all the senators must find Corona guilty on any one of the eight articles of impeachment for him to be removed from office. The

trial will begin once the Senate resumes its session on January 16 and may last for six months, according to Senator Francis Escudero. The brashness by which Aquino and his friends in Congress railroaded the impeachment complaint against Corona (is the respondent even aware of the charges raised against him?) can be better placed in context with the way the Commission on Elections rushed to file electoral sabotage charges against Arroyo last November 18. Keep in mind that COMELEC en banc had to meet 7 in the morning on that day so they can endorse the charges to the Pasay Regional Trial Court by noontime. Judge Jesus Mupas was able to issue an arrest warrant against the former president less than four hours after being assigned t handle the case. Reacting to Aquinos open hostility to CJ Corona, noted constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas said: Nakakabahala nga. I

dont know kung ano mangyayari diyan. In his (Aquinos) speeches, he sounds like Fidel Castro. He complemented Corona
for choosing not to go down to the level of the presidents ranting. Veteran Senator Joker Arroyo, a human rights lawyer during the Marcos era, described Aquino as a genius for governing like an autocrat without having to declare Martial Law.

Fr. Joaquin Bernas: In his speeches, he (Aquino) sounds like Fidel Castro."

During an event held in support of the embattled Chief Justice, Judge Antonio Eugenio, the incumbent president of the Manila Judges Association and former president of the Philippine Judges Association. As Manila Standard Today reported, he compared President Aquino to German dictator Adolf Hitler:

They act by sheer numbers. They act on the basis of popularity, Eugenio said of the President and his allies in the House. But remember history. When Hitler assumed power in Germany, he was the most popular figure and trampled upon the rights of everyone because he was popular. We all know what happened to Adolf Hitler.
Approached by reporters right after hearing Aquinos direct tirades against him, Corona dismissively said: Magpapasko

na, hayaan na natin. A few days after being impeached by Aquino allies in the Congress, the calmness in Corona
disappeared, saying: I oppose this relentless persecution, intimidation and bullying. I oppose this dictatorship that President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is slowly establishing. Another great political war is on.

By markpere2010 | December 25, 2011 | 8 Comments | Filed under: Breaking News, COMMENTARIES, Current Issues, Government, NEWS, Opinion, POLITICS & GOVERNMENT Share32

We know that theres no love lost between Chief Justice Renato Corona and President Benigno Aquino III even before the former was officially sworn in by ex President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the leader of the high court. The tensions reached incredible heights this year. Last September, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that Malacaang reduced the judiciarys 2012 budget to P13.396 billion and transferred the allocation for unfilled positions to the miscellaneous personnel benefit fund (MPBF), which would be under the control of the Office of the President. Just last month, Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima openly defied a Supreme Court temporary restraining order which effectively allows CGMA to travel abroad. Then shortly, the SC ordered the distribution of the Cojuangcoowned Hacienda Luisita to farmers. Reeling from successive judicial setbacks, Aquino went on the offensive launching a tirade against the Chief Justice (despite being just inches apart) during his keynote remarks at the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit last December 5. Virgilio Bugaoisan of the Daily Tribune writes: Throwing good manners, presidential dignity and respect for a co-equal and independent branch, as well as proper breeding out the window, President Aquino went much too far yesterday as he insulted Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona to his face in a Justice Summit organized by the high court with the Department of Justice and the Interior and Local Governments department. The chief justice was just a few meters away from him during the opening of the summit held at the Manila Hotel, stoic in his demeanor. Showing good manners, breeding, and dignity befitting his office, the chief justice was seen as impassive and silent even amid the charge of Aquino that it was the SC that violated the Constitution, and not he. In a response read by Supreme Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez, the high tribunal described Aquinos tirades as disturbing, saying: It is not at all unusual for the Executive Branch to disagree with the Judicial Branch. But what is considerably unusual is for the Chief Executive to look down on the members of the Judiciary in public at a Justice Sector Coordinating Council session, and to their faces denounce the Courts independent actions, as the Chief Justice sat speechless, motionless and expressionless because of the requirements of protocol, he added.

Image via Wikipedia

Approached by reporters right after hearing Aquinos direct tirades against him, Corona dismissively said: Magpapasko na, hayaan na natin. A few days after being impeached by Aquino allies in the Congress, the calmness in Corona disappeared, saying: I oppose this relentless persecution, intimidation and bullying. I oppose this dictatorship that President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is slowly establishing. Another great political war is on.

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Is Chief Justice Renato Corona a victim of Noynoy Aquinos low self-esteem?

December 14, 2011 By Ilda

The German word Schadenfreude is defined as the feeling of pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. They say that the lower the persons self-esteem, the more he or she tends to enjoy someone elses misfortune. According to a recent study by scientists in Leiden University, the Netherlands, when you have low self-esteem, you will do almost anything to feel better, and when youre confronted with the misfortune of others, youll feelschandenfreude.

Suffering from low self-esteem?

Based on the above definitions, it can be said that President Noynoy Aquino (PNoy) and his supporters must have low selfesteem because it seems like they feel a strong sense ofschandenfreude or pleasure at seeing their political opponents suffer. There have been many occasions when the incumbent President has shown his habit of dwelling with enjoyment on negative thoughts. PNoy would often try to humiliate and vilify his political opponents without thinking of the consequences of his actions. The English word for schandenfreude is gloating and it is defined as to observe or think about something with triumphant and often malicious satisfaction, gratification, or delight. PNoy is always gloating. Definitely so. He often expresses his delight over his enemys misfortune. This was evident when he tried to humiliate Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice, Renato Corona in his speech during the National Criminal Justice summit recently held at the Manila hotel, leading Inquirer.net columnist Ramon Tulfo to wonder Does Aquino get advice from his Cabinet? A lawyer told me that had the Chief Justice walked out of the First National Criminal Justice Summit while he was being attacked by a coequal official, most of the magistrates and lawyers present would have followed him to the exit. Even lawyers in the executive branch would have joined the walkout, a government lawyer said. No matter how he regards Chief Justice Corona, any lawyer would have found the Presidents attack on the highest magistrate uncouth. An insult to the Chief Justice is an insult to the whole legal profession since he is the highest-ranking lawyer, according to a government lawyer. Does P-Noy get advice from his Cabinet members who are lawyers on how to treat the Supreme Court, a coequal branch in government? Latest developments on the impeachment case against the SC judge suggest that PNoy twisted the arms of members of the House of Representatives, a supposedly independent branch of government, just to get his way. 188 members of the legislature have bowed to the wishes of the President to impeach and remove Chief Justice Corona from the judiciary. On record, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Joseph E.A. Abaya both admitted that a furious President Aquino wanted a fast impeachment of Corona after he and seven other Arroyo appointees issued a temporary restraining order on the Department of Justices travel ban against the former President. And that He (PNoy) gave the general direction; we followed because we believe this is the right thing. Even Catholic Church officials think that PNoy had a hand in the fast filing of impeachment case against Chief Justice Corona. Heres what Bishop Teodoro Bacani had to say about it: Novaliches bishop emeritus Teodoro Bacani, a member of the 1987 Constitutional Commission, said it has been surprising that members of Lower Chamber managed to muster 188 congressmen to endorse the articles of impeachment to the Senate.

I will tell you the truth, sa bilis ng pangyayari ay baka naman ang nangyayari dito ay arm twisting from above, Bacani told Church-run Radyo Veritas. Meanwhile Navotas City Representative Tobias Tiangco said in his privilege speech immediately after the filing of the impeachment proceedings that members were not given a chance to read the articles of impeachment: How can you vote for the impeachment without having the chance to read the articles of impeachment much less verify the facts?Why the haste in the matter of hours? Why cannot we give him due process? After Tiangco, other minority representatives have spoken out about the dubious impeachment process conducted by PNoys supporters: Some lawmakers have said the process of signing up for the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona was indeed rushed but proponents of the ouster move maintained it was all above board. Bayan Muna Representative Teodoro Casio said the majority of the 188 members who signed the impeachment case were clueless of the eight articles used as the basis to kick out Corona when they entered the majority caucus at 2:30 pm Monday. Casio admitted that they were not allowed to read the 57-page document, which they signed on as both complainant and endorser. The signing of the document by 188 congressmen paved the way for the approval of the complaint without having to toil through committee hearing or plenary voting. The bulk of the signatures took less than one hour to gather and Corona was formally impeached at 7:40 p.m. Monday or less than five hours after the signatories were officially told for the first time about the charges versus the Chief Justice. Casio said the lawmakers relied solely on the presentation made by Liberal Party (LP) bigwigs who orchestrated the impeachment case under orders of President Benigno Aquino III. Likewise, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said that many of those who supported the impeachment were blackmailed into signing. Lagman insinuated, those who would refuse to sign will be deprived of their priority development assistance fund (PDAF) and other funding releases for their respective districts. Senator Joker Arroyo seems to agree that PNoy has become an autocrat by successfully taking control of the entire government. Arroyo said: The people are entertained by that kind of show, but this is a bid for power disguised under the claim of a clean government. PNoy gloated after the impeachment was filed the next day. He met with his political allies at a caucus and spoke with confidence that Chief Justice Corona will be impeached because according to him, the public is on his side. PNoy stressed that the chief justice will not change and will always be beholden to Arroyo. This is another proof that the President has engaged in negative thoughts. I do not understand why his minders let him talk the way he does. Its probably because they know that the public loves to hear him talk that way too. Even before the 2010 Presidential election, PNoy already exhibited signs of negative mental attitude. During the campaign, he expressed his fears about the possible failure of elections and was adamant in his aspiration to be first on the streets to organize another people power revolution should it happen. In fact,Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros took that as a cue to explore that possibility just stopping short of blatantly inciting rebellion if Aquino loses the presidential race. People with negative mental attitude tend to have low self-esteem. And those with low self-esteem tend to be too defensive and too sensitive because they think that those who do not agree with them are just out to ruin them. Which is precisely the reason why they will do almost anything to crush their opponents. Obviously, PNoy is doing almost everything to crush his imagined opponent even if it is the only thing he does during his entire term in office.

Featured Post
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I cant help but think that Filipinos who blame former Philippine President and Congresswoman, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) for everything bad that has happened in the country have a squatter mentality. By my own definition, people who have a squatter mentality have this strong sense of entitlement. They believe that the government owes them benefits or privileges. ARCHIVES

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Terra said Pnoy is a national disgrace! BenK said When society (or rather, the media who profit from telling society what to think) starts tagging so... Terra said Wheres your proof Vicenzo? But: CONFESSION of a former diehard Noyfan. Now it can be reveale... benign0 said Cool! Look forward to reading it. I did a piece on the concept of benevolent dictators... BenK said So you see, the approach to government, this being similar to what Mr. Garchitorena is espousing, is... jay said the point is everyone is invariably optimistic about the coming of a new year , whoever and wherever... Peste said Now, you say that SWS needs to be investigated for propaganda. In the survey results listed above, t... Aljid said Isama niyo naman ako sa mga pangarap niyo. Hahahaha.. benign0 said Yeah, on second look, I think I overdid it with the Rising Filipino actor part. I thin... benign0 said Lol! A seminal classic about a great mayor of Chicago indeed, right here! Heres the key ex...

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Noynoy Aquino is powerless against Chief Justice Corona

December 7, 2011 By Ilda

Impotent is a word that can describe someone who lacks physical strength or vigor. It can also mean someone lacking in power or someone helpless. To paraphrase a famous quote, Power without morality is barbarous; morality without power is impotent.

On not one but a few occasions, President Noynoy Aquino (PNoy) has demonstrated his impotence. In his most recent speech at the first ever National Criminal Justice summit held at the Manila hotel, PNoy acted like a toddler throwing a tantrum and hurling insults at the people he perceives to be getting in the way of what he wanted. One such enemy who happened to be within spitting distance at the said summit was Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona (who acted with dignity through it all). Of course the summit turned into another opportunity for PNoy to grandstand. Everyone knows that PNoy never misses a chance to attack either his critics or his political opponents but this time he has gone too far. His captive audience had no choice but to listen to him diss Justice Corona in front of everyone. A lot of people were taken aback and felt disgusted at PNoy after he repeatedly emphasized that Justice Corona was a midnight appointee and questioned the legality of his appointment by former President and Congresswoman Gloria Arroyo (GMA) yet again. It had only been less than a week since he did the same thing in his speech in front Makati Business Club (MBC). His speechwriters definitely have the easiest job for they just keep rehashing content for PNoys speeches again and again. Was Chief Justice Coronas appointment really unconstitutional? If there is truth in what PNoy is saying, why cant he do something about it? Obviously Chief Justice Coronas appointment was within the bounds of the law because the high court itself already ruled that Coronas appointment was legal and constitutional. PNoy must know that once appointed, Supreme Court Judges serve until they die, resign, retire, or are removed by impeachment, which requires a majority of the House of Representatives to bring charges, then the Senate to remove someone from office. And this is the part where PNoy shows how powerless or impotent he is to do anything about Coronas appointment. But PNoy is not happy about it so he keeps trying to make everyone believe that it is unconstitutional. A lot of people can see that his actions look like a prelude to what could be another people power revolution geared towards the Supreme Court. Because he is powerless to remove Justice Corona himself, it seems like he is asking the people to remove Corona for him, unconstitutionally.

To build up the pressure, PNoy points out what he considers unfavorable rulings by the Supreme Court. Even a lack of jobs is being blamed on the SC. This is what he said: The very first promise that I had during the campaign was jobs and its still the economy that is still the priority. However, these things do not exist in a vacuum they all interact a Judicial system that doesnt shall we say promote stability and certainty does not enhance the economic environment. It suits PNoy well to say that the judicial system doesnt promote stability considering it is he who keeps creating tension between the independent branches of the government. In what way does he think the Supreme Court does not promote stability anyway? Was it in the way the Supreme Court ruled against his familys Hacienda Luisita holdings, especially when they ordered that they distribute the land to the Luisita farmers? It is no secret that PNoys late mother Cory Aquino hatched the Stock Distribution Option (SDO) scheme when she was still the President 25 years ago. Now the SC has also ordered an audit to be done on the hacienda, following reports of the estate being saddled by a P2 billion debt. It is quite bothersome that PNoy is singling out justice Corona considering the SC voted unanimously against the Cojuangcos. To quote Valeriamo Avila fromhis Philstar article: Of course, Pres. PNoy conveniently forgot that in the Hacienda Luisita case, the Supreme Court voted 14-0 which is a unanimous vote against the Cojuangcos. Even the newly appointed Justices who were elevated to the bench under Pres. PNoy also voted en banc with the rest of the other Justices. Could it be that someone from the family is pressuring PNoy to do all he can to damage the credibility of the SC? And could it be that the real reason PNoy keeps pressuring Corona to remove himself from the picture is so his family can get a reverse ruling on Hacienda Luisita once he appoints someone favorable to him? It is becoming apparent that his relentless pursuit is not for justice but of the judges. Either way, PNoys impotence is showing

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011

PNOY vs. Chief Justice Renato Corona

Experts say that if the issue between the Executive government against to its Judicial body will not be resolved, a political crisis might happen to the Philippines. Its just sad to know that these two important government bodies are in tug of war right now. One notable example of this is the showing of abhorrence or lets just say, not so kind words from our President towards the highest

official of our Supreme Court, Chief Justice Renato Corona. It happened in a summit/talk where the two high officials were invited as guest of honors and speakers.

The President during his speech directly criticized the chief justice about their decision of giving the former Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the right to travel abroad. Well, one cant blame the President for showing so much denunciation to the chief justice if you are involved and have done the following: 1. Being a mid-night appointee of the former President Gloria Arroyo. You should remember that when PNOY won from the presidency, he opted not to take his oath to Justice Corona. There was even an issue before that hed rather took his oath to a Barangay Captain than to do it with the chief justice itself. For trashing the Truth Commission a body that will supposedly investigate the corrupt practices of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and others. The Supreme Court ruled the commission as unconstitutional. And the latest one, about the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to allow the ex-President to travel abroad due to her health condition. These are some factors why theres so much hate from our President to the Chief Justice. On the other hand, I admire the latter for showing only coolness in spite all of these harsh words.

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Who will blink first? PNoy or Corona?

BY GLENDA M. GLORIA Posted on 12/08/2011 8:00 AM | Updated 12/14/2011 5:51 PM

Critics say President Benigno Aquino III should just tell his political lieutenants to impeach the Chief Justice rather than shame him in public. All indications show he's already done that. The two biting speeches that the President devoted to Chief Justice Renato Corona -- one before the elite Makati Business Club, another before a group of lawyers and justices -- do not appear to have been the product of mere presidential pique. He seems to be shaping the media and public environment for what he is prepared to do: force Corona out of office, critics and legal issues be damned. Just do the math: the President's term ends in 2016; Corona's ends two years later yet, in 2018. Aquino's core political base is the anticorruption bloc that helped propel him to office in the last presidential election. At least 56% approve of his anti-corruption program, per the latest Pulse Asia survey; of all government efforts, this one gets the biggest support. One is tied to the other. The Supreme Court, by allowing (in a Nov. 15 ruling) former President Arroyo to leave the country to seek medical treatment, got in the way of what Aquino thinks is his electoral mandate: to punish her for corruption. But several lawyers, even those who voted for him in 2010, are taking him to task for the original sin, which is failing to exert best efforts to file a case against her before she got ill. Now, they say, Aquino is spending political capital and dampening the Christmas cheer on something that is the sole product of his administration's lack of focus on the Arroyo cases. Worse, they add, he is seen stretching the same presidential power that Mrs. Arroyo was accused of abusing. Wrote the respected constitutionalist and former Ateneo law dean Fr. Joaquin Bernas in a recent Inquirer column on the government's defiance of the SC's TRO: "In an effort to balance things and to do away with criminal impunity, the temptation to appeal to a thousand past wrongs as justification for looking at present wrongs as remedially right can be blinding. Can an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth save the nation?" The view from the Palace is something else, based on interviews we've had with the President's key advisers and lawyers in the last 3 weeks. It is significant to note that some lawyers do support the President's defiance of the Supreme Court.

13-Dec-11, 12:56 PM | Chichi Conde, InterAksyon.com

PNoy justifies speedy impeach move vs Corona, thanks House allies

President Benigno Aquino III thanked the congressmen who voted to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona during a caucus at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel on December 13, 2011. MALACANANG PHOTO

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MANILA, Philippines -- Calling the Supreme Court the "nest of corruption" and Chief Justice Renato Corona a "stray," President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday thanked the 188 lawmakers who impeached the chief justice during a political caucus luncheon here at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong. Aquino said Corona, whom he called "pariwara (stray)" deserved to be impeached as he was eroding the dignity of the Supreme Court, which he called "pugad ng katiwalian (nest of corruption)." Our legislature has shown it can defend the interest of the people they represent without dilly-dallying. For that, thank you very, very much, the President said in his keynote speech. There is an excess of evidence -- can we still hope that Mr. Corona will change? We are convinced that when it comes to (Pampanga Rep. Gloria) Arroyo, Mr. Corona does not see right from wrong. Our efforts to hold people accountable are useless if the scales of justice are already tipped to favor a certain person. The truth is clear: Mr. Corona was appointed to the Supreme Court, not as a protector of justice but as the protector of Mrs. Arroyo, the President added. Aquino said he is not the one who is destroying the Supreme Court as an institution but Corona himself. The President challenged Corona to face the music as the articles of impeachment had been transmitted to the Senate Tuesday morning. Now, Corona will face the proper forum to answer all the allegations against him and be answerable for his alleged wrongdoings. He will be prosecuted under a process that will reveal the truth to the people -- how he betrayed the public trust and violated the Constitution, Aquino said. Mr. Corona, before the Senate and the House of Representatives, face the people, the President said. The caucus was attended by members of the Liberal Party, Nacionalista, National Unity Party, and the Nationalist Peoples Coalition.

PNoy hits Supreme Court in front of SC Chief Justice Renato Corona, draws mixed reactions
By Angel Cuala on Dec 6, 2011 in Asia, Local, Politics 1 comment
Updated: December 12, 2011 9:45 p.m. Read SC Chief Justice Renato Corona impeached by House, Senate to start impeachment trial in 2012 Manila, Philippines President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III (PNoy) hit the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday, December 5, 2011, in front of SC Chief Justice Renato Corona himself.

SC Chief Justice Renato Corona (left), shaking hands with PNoy, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile standing in the middle Image Credit: Rem Zamora/ABS-CBNNews.com As noted at local news sites that day, both PNoy and SC Chief Justice Renato Corona were present during the1st National Criminal Justice Summit held at the Manila Hotel. During his speech, PNoy lambasted the Supreme Courtin which the SC Chief Justice was sitting only a few inches away, along with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima, among others. On the first part of his speech, the 51-year old bachelor president said he wanted justice for Filipinos and noted that he does not want what happened during Martial Lawyears of the late President Ferdinand Marcos. But later, he mentioned some of the allegations of corruption against former President and now incumbentPampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyoincluding the controversial ZTE deal, and the alleged fraud during the 2004 and 2007 election. Nevertheless, the highlight of his speech came upon when he questioned the Supreme Court and mentionedSC Chief Justice Renato Corona as being appointed by Mrs. Arroyo, which he noted as a midnight appointee. After the event, mixed reactions were raised and some politicians including House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, who described PNoys speech as Recidivist, while some are worried about the increasing gap between the two top branches of the government. In a statement read by SC spokesman Jose Midas Marquez also after the event, he noted that the high court found it quite disturbing. Chief Justice Corona was also interviewed but told reporters to let it be since Christmas is getting near. Below is that part of the speech of President Noynoy Aquino (PNoy), where he hit the Supreme Court as well asSC Chief Justice Renato Corona, whom the president shook hands later. Pansinin po ninyo: Nang naglabas ng TRO ang Korte Suprema, may kaakibat itong mga kondisyon. Subalit hindi nagtagal, sila mismo ang umaming hindi naman pala kailangang tuparin ang mga alituntuning ito. Aba, e naglagay ka pa ng patakaran; wala ka naman palang balak na masunod ito. Lahat na ng proseso ay sinusunod natin, ngunit sa kabila nito, tayo pa daw ngayon ang naghahanap ng away. Sino ba naman ang hindi magdududa sa tunay nilang hangarin? Hindi ito ang unang beses na gumawa ang Korte Suprema ng mga desisyong napakahirap unawain. Ayon sa article 7, section 15 ng Saligang batas, Ang isang Pangulo ay hindi dapat gumawa ng mga paghirang sa loob ng dalawang buwan bago sumapit ang

susunod na halalang pampanguluhan at hanggang sa matapos ang kanyang taning ng panunungkulan, maliban na lamang sa mga pansamantalang paghirang sa mga katungkulang ehekutibo. Ngunit alam naman po nating pinilit ni Ginang Arroyo na magtalaga pa rin ng Chief Justice. Hinirang siya, hindi dalawang buwan bago ang halalan, kundi isang linggo matapos ang eleksiyon. Base sa batas at sa dati nilang pasya, sumangayon ang Korte Suprema na bawal magtalaga ng pwesto dalawang buwan bago sumapit ang susunod na eleksyon, maliban na lamang kung ito ay pansamantalang posisyon sa ehekutibo. Ngunit bumaliktad sila nang italaga ni Ginang Arroyo, ating kagalang-galang, na Chief Justice Renato Corona: isang pwestong hindi saklaw ng ehekutibo, kundi sa hudikatura. Ang tanong ngayon: lumabag ba ang Korte Suprema sa pagbabaliktad ng dating pag-unawa ng ating Saligang Batas? As translated in English language: (Also, note this: The Supreme Court handed down the TRO together with certain conditions. But not long after that, they themselves admitted that the conditions need not be met for theTRO to be in effect. How baffling of them to include conditions they had no plans of seeing fulfilled. We have been following all the right processes, and still we are being accused of picking a fight. May I as k: who in their right mind would not be suspicious of their true intent? This is not the first time we were perplexed by a ruling of the Supreme Court. According toArticle 7, Section 15 of the Constitution, Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety. But we all know howMrs. Arroyo insisted on appointing the Chief Justice. He was appointed, not two months before the election, but a week after. According to the law and one of their previous decisions, the Supreme Court ruled that the President could not appoint any official two months before an election, except for temporary appointments to the executive position. But they turned their back on their pronouncements when Mrs. Arroyo appointed the Honorable Chief Justice Renato Coronain a position that was not in the executive branch, but of the judiciary. The question now is: is the Supreme Court in violation of the Constitution?) On the latter part, PNoy said he remains respectful of the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive branches and emphasized he meant no harm to destroy anyones reputation, but reminded everyone of the basic principles of democracy. The full transcript of the speech of President Noynoy Aquino can be found at the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines, at www.gov.ph.

SC Chief Justice Renato Corona speech: I will not resign and will fight impeachment case
By Angel Cuala on Dec 14, 2011 in Asia, Local, Politics 5 comments
Manila, Philippines Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona made a speech in front of the SCbuilding on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, as shown in the video below, and noted that he will not resign and will face the impeachment trial.

SC Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, making his speech on December 14, 2011 Image Credit: GMANews video

As shown in local TV at around 2:20 p.m. (local time) that day, SC Chief Justice Renato Corona stressed out that he is innocent of all the allegations being thrown to him and all of them are not true. On the first part of his speech, where he was supported by some judges and declared a court holiday, Chief Justice Corona mentioned the sudden impeachment approved by the House as an effort of President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III (PNoy) to oust him. Hindo po tayo papayag na alipustahin ang demokrasya at ang Korte Suprema. Corona said, adding that his appointment as Supreme Court Chief Justice is legal and accused PNoy of transforming into a dictator. (We will not allow anyone to mock the democracy and theSupreme Court) Kung sakali man magtagumpay sila, ano sa palagay nyo mangyayari? Simple lang: hawak na niya ang gabinete, angKongreso at and Korte Suprema, Corona added, claiming that PNoy is abusing his power to control the country. (In case they won, what will happen? Its simple; he (PNoy) will be controlling the Cabinet, the Congress, and theSupreme Court) Hindi kami magbibitiw sa aming katungkulan, Corona said with a high tone, emphasizing that PNoy does not only want him ousted but also wanted to replace all the SC justices with his own choice. Corona, 63, also defended himself on the allegations that he went biased on some of the cases, noting that theSupreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and 14 other judges and that their votes are all equal in nature.

SC Chief Justice Renato Corona impeachment: Senators take oath for impeachment trial on January 16, 2012
By Angel Cuala on Dec 14, 2011 in Asia, Local, Politics No comments
Manila, Philippines Local senators took oath on Wednesday, December 14, 2011, as preparation of theimpeachment trial of Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona next year.

Senators of the Philippines Image Credit: ABS-CBNNews.com As noted at local news that day, the Senate convened in the late afternoon as an impeachment court that will tryChief Justice Renato Corona, who made a speech earlier in front of the Supreme Court building. Corona, 63, who was appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) on May 12, 2010, two days after the election and a month before her term expired, said that he will not resign and will face the impeachment trial. Apparently, Corona accused President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III (PNoy) of transforming himself into a dictator and noted that the president wanted to control theSupreme Court by replacing him with his own choice. Meanwhile, the senators, led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, wore red robes while taking their oath and vowed to be impartial on the Chief Justice Renato Corona impeachment trial, which will start on January 16, 2012 at 2 p.m. (local time) I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines, so help me God. The senators said all at the same time, repeating after Senator Enrile and raising their right hand. The Senate also ordered Corona to reply on the allegations against him within 10 days after receiving a copy of the formal complaint, which is the first impeachment trial for a Supreme Court Chief Justice.

Renato Corona
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Renato C. Corona

23rd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines

Incumbent

Assumed office May 17, 2010

Nominated by

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Preceded by

Reynato Puno

Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines

In office April 9, 2002 May 17, 2010

Nominated by

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Preceded by

Arturo B. Buena

Succeeded by

Maria Lourdes A. Sereno

Malacaang Chief of Staff

In office January 20, 2001 April 9, 2002

Appointed by

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

Succeeded by

Rigoberto Tiglao

Personal details

Born

October 15, 1948 (age 63) Tanauan City, Batangas

Spouse(s)

Cristina Roco Corona

Affiliation

Fraternal Order of Utopia

Renato C. Corona (born October 15, 1948) is the incumbent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was appointed to the Court on April 9, 2002 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. On May 12, 2010, two days after the 2010 elections and a month before Arroyo's term expired, Corona was appointed the 23rd Chief Justice of the Philippines. Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 12, 2011.
Contents
[hide]

1 Profile 2 Impeachment 3 Publications 4 Some notable opinions 5 References 6 External links

[edit]Profile
Corona earned his law degree at the Ateneo de Manila Law School, where he would serve as a member of the faculty for 17 years. He also received aMaster of Laws degree from Harvard Law School in 1982. He earned his Doctor of Civil Law degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School in 2011.[1] Corona served as the Presidential Legal Counsel and Deputy Executive Secretary to President Fidel Ramos. In 1998, he became the chief of staff and spokesperson of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. When Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001, Corona became the Presidential Chief of Staff.

[edit]Impeachment
On December 12, 2011, 188 members of the House of Representatives signed an impeachment complaint against Corona.[2] As only 95 signatures were necessary for the impeachment of Corona by the House of Representatives under the Constitution [3], the impeachment complaint was to be transmitted to the Senate for trial.[4]