Lesmoras, Karmela Anne B.

BBrC III-1D

January 24, 2012 Feature Writing

Renato C. Corona is the 150th member of the highest court, appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on April 9, 2002. He is the 23rd Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the Philippines, superseding Reynato Puno who had reached the mandatory age of retirement. Corona had served over thirty years both in private sector and government administration. Nowadays, Chief Justice Corona has been in the headlines of the news. He is now facing an impeachment complaint against him, which is signed by 188 members of the House of Representatives. It is expected that like the Estrada impeachment trial, the Corona impeachment would also be a blockbuster TV series that will be followed by the Filipino nation. And it occurs, as expected. It is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court whose in the middle of accusations of liable violation of the constitution and betrayal of public trust, as well as eight articles of impeachment casted against him by the House of Representative. The maximum penalty that can be imposed against any impeachable official under Philippine law are removal from office and lasting disqualification. But such a decision by the Senate impeachment court will not thwart the Ombudsman from filing charges based on the testimonies and evidences presented before the Philippine Senate. This is precisely why the chief justice is steadfast in defending himself. He knows once convicted, he will face more than just removal from office. Resignation may be an option like former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez did when also impeached by the Philippine House of Representative. But, it seems that it is not included on his options. However, the first blow of the trial does not give any signs at all whether a verdict of guilty or not guilty is approaching. Both the prosecution and the defense have barely scratched the surface. Thus, this impeachment trial must be undertaken clearly to perceive the so-called Tuwid na Daan of Pres. Noynoy Aquino. The criminal must be punish, and the innocent must be spare. At the end of the day, only the truth shall prevail.