Fighting corruption was the main feature of Aquino's political campaign last year, however, he also stressed his drive for a “straight path” (“daang matuwid”). In accordance to this, he was also in a way saying that those people who have done wrong in this country must now be alarmed. Achieving that so-called straight path requires the administration not just to keep an eye on the present public officials but also to look back and give justice as to whatever and whoever left that maybe given justice.
The most surprising and biggest achievement of Aquino’ administration might be putting the former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo behind bars. Who would have thought? Right? Now, still towards achieving that straight path, the Supreme Court itself is being put on the limelight. It is now marred with bias and inclination in favor of the former president who appointed the current Chief Justice. The Aquino’s administration has been after putting the dishonest if not corrupt public officials into account. And now, this is the time for the so-called “midnight appointee” to be on the hot seat.
How could this country move straight forward and find justice if the branch of government itself who was tasked to provide it is unjust and prejudiced?
Back on the issue, Chief Justice Renato Corona admits specific parts of the impeachment complaint however, strongly denies major accusations against him. According to him, the eight-point complaint against him is merely against his personal actions and the actions or decisions given by the Supreme Court.
To elaborate, first, he denies the allegation that he is not giving the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, well in fact he was submitting it every year without delay. Second, he denies the issue calling him a midnight appointee because according to him, his appointment undergone a long process in accordance with the constitution. Third, he emphasize that he is not the only person deciding on a particular case. He said that there were 15 of them who have one equal vote each, and that each of them are equal. And finally, he denies that the Supreme Court is inclined with the former president. According to CJ Corona, the Supreme Court’s decisions are unbiased and are results of individual opinions. He particularly mentioned, that the Chief Justice’s decision is not the decision of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice Renato Corona strongly believes that President Aquino’s main target was to put him down, and make the people lose trust on the Supreme Court. He believes that the current president would just want to control every branches of the government and in the future, rule this country as a dictator.
Personally, I believe that what is happening now between the executive and the judicial department is just fair and right, and should have been actually done earlier.
I believe that Chief Justice Corona is not genuine for his position. First, knowing evidently how the former president has luxuriously used our money and took advantage of the country and her fellow Filipinos, most of the names if not all who would be associated with hers is I believe questionable. Second, CJ Corona has voted favorably for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo nineteen times in a row, and I believe this is enough to say that he decides in accordance with his personal loyalty and not in favor of the people.
Moreover, I believe that whether President Aquino has been taking this issue personally, it cannot deny the fact that there are enough reasons and evidences to impeach the Chief Justice. Whether President Aquino is taking this on the personal level or not, the truth still remains that Chief Justice Renato Corona deserved to be asked to step down.
Is President Aquino destroying the credibility of the Supreme Court?
No. He just allowed the public to know that the Supreme Court is not anymore credible. President Aquino had just pave the way for a more transparent and honorable Supreme Court for all.
It is him, the Chief Justice, who destroyed that credibility he himself was talking about. It was not the President, nor anyone else. President Aquino just took the right actions to straighten the line, and it just so happened that the Chief Justice was caught out of that same line.
President Aquino might have mouthed some offensive allegations to Chief Justice Corona, but like what the Chief Justice has said, he and the Supreme Court are not one. This just means that the Aquino administration is after him, and not the Supreme Court itself.
I believe that Chief Justice Corona was just trying to change the main issue, which is him, to be fully impeached.
However, how will this impeachment issue affect the Philippine Economy?
The Palace believes that this impeachment trial is unlikely to turn off investors or stall economic growth. They believe that whatever is going to happen in the political landscape won’t affect the economic landscape. However, I believe this is not absolutely true. The one who is on trial is no less than the head of the Judiciary and it’s a co-equal branch of the Executive and the Legislative branches, meaning, this involves very important political personalities running the country. I believe that this impeachment trial would soon affect the economy. The trial will last for 6 months, and in this span of time, I believe that some investors would be deciding to hold if not withdraw. Investors might doubt and assume that the trial would trigger chaos among people, thus putting their investments at risk.
Nevertheless, I also believe that soon after this trial, if CJ Corona would be found guilty, and the country would show a better political standing, then it will again attract investors and consequently increase employment rate. If the country would be able to show improvement and be able to bring back the Supreme Court’s credibility, then it might attract more and more investors for we are able to show the world how brave we are to start a fight for justice and be responsible enough to bring back what is lost.
Every Filipino, would just have to hope for this impeachment trial to proceed without triggering chaos amongst people. We should just hope that this trial be done with full honesty and integrity.
May the Philippines prosper!
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