SUPREME COURT NOT PALACE IS THE 'LEGAL DEPT', SAYS CORONA
[PHOTOS - Chief Justice Renato Corona]
MANILA, MAY 17, 2011 (MANILA TIMES) "I HAVE proven my worth as Chief Justice and leader of the judiciary."
These were the words of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona conveyed to his critics and detractors, adding that he was worthy to become the father of the third branch of government upon.
May 17 will mark Corona's first year as High Court Chief Justice. His appointment was controversial since it was made by former president and now Rep. Gloria Arroyo of Pampanga with detractors alleging that it was a "midnight appointment."
In an exclusive interview with The Manila Times, Corona said that his biggest accomplishment on his first year in office was to demonstrate to the Filipino the independence of the High Court.
He said that the biggest attack made against him before and during his appointment as chief magistrate were questions on his independence to lead the judiciary. But he has proven all his detractors wrong.
Corona added that, as a human being, he was hurt by all the all the baseless attacks thrown against him and that there was nothing he could do but to show to the Filipino people that he deserves to be High Court Chief Justice.
"It is independence, I think I strengthened the independence of the [Supreme] Court kasi iyon ang inaatake sa akin noon [because those were the attacks against me], that guy is not independent so do not make him Chief Justice iyon inaatake sa akin noon [those were the attacks against me]. I think I have proven my worth as Chief Justice and as a leader of the judiciary," Corona said.
The Chief Justice argued that if a person appointed to lead the judiciary was not independent, he or she would just become a "legal department" of Malacañang.
"If [one appointed in] the judiciary is not independent, there is no point of having him appointed. Wala na, legal department ka na lang ng Malacañang [It's nothing, you are just a legal department of Malacañang]," he stressed.
Independence As a proof of his independence and the Supreme Court which he leads, there were cases where they were not swayed by political entities. Corona said that the political entities, including Malacañang and Congress, were sometimes favored by the High Court if they were correct in their legal position.
"Everybody saw that we were not swayed by political insinuations. Kung kailangang kampihan namin sila kinakampihan namin sila [If we need to rule in favor of then, then that's what we would do]," he said.
Corona added that the High Court was not swayed by what was popular, but by what was legal and just. He said that they were not like Malacañang or Congress who have constituencies.
"Unlike the two other branches of government, popular opinion does not sway our course of action. We do not have constituencies whose interests we have to protect, nor are we out to further any political agenda or personal causes. We are here for only one purpose and that is to protect the rule of law and the rights of the people as guaranteed by the Constitution," Corona stated in his recent speech with the Philippine Judges Association.
Some of the cases where Malacañang suffered a loss was the creation of the Truth Commission under Executive Order No. 1, and when they restrained President Benigno Aquino 3rd from implementing Executive Order No. 2 on the so-called "midnight appointments."
There were cases where the legislative branch notched a victory before the High Court, particularly when Congress was allowed to proceed with the impeachment case against former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
But in the controversial Vizconde massacre case, the High Court with a vote of 7-5 acquitted accused Hubert Webb, Antonio Lejano, Michael Gatchalian, Hospicio Fernandez, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada and Gerardo Biong for failure of the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt their guilt.
Corona said that he was willing to be judged by the Filipino people and even accept mistakes if he was wrong. But the Chief Justice said that he would never be crushed if was right.
"My heart is in the right pace and its loyalty is to the Constitution alone. I stake everything on this unconditional and unequivocal pledge of honor. Only by the standard of this forthright sworn fidelity I am willing to be judged in the times to come," Corona added. JOMAR CANLAS
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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