Group starts signature campaign vs. Corona

CEBU, Philippines - The Consumer Right Economic Welfare initiated a signature campaign at Fuente Osmeña to impeach Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Victor Quijano, a member of the CREW said after they can accumulate between 15,000 to 18,000 signatures they will endorse it to Congress.

“Ang judiciary di na katoohan kay tainted na, kailangan ipa-impeach na si Corona. (There’s already doubt in the judiciary because it’s tainted already there is a need to impeach Corona),” he said.

Arman Perez of Bayan Muna signed for the impeachment of Corona citing lack of confidence.

“The loyalty of the justices remained at their boss…bisan balibalihon ang kalibutan loyal gyud sila ni former president now Congressman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” he said.

Meanwhile, former executive judge Meinrado Paredes of Regional Trial Court Branch 13 expressed his admiration to Corona for keeping his cool under fire.

Paredes added any ordinary citizen has the right to criticize President Benigno Aquino III, but he said the criticism of Aquino was done at the wrong time and in the wrong place.

Paredes said the National Criminal Justice Summit was intended to unite the justices but Aquino broke it because of his speech.

“Aquino should not have done that in a forum as it was the inappropriate place, he should have done it in the State of the Nation Address,” he said.

Paredes added “the acts of Aquino can invite doubt if he did this because of the ruling of the Supreme Court directing them to pay in relation to Hacienda Luisita issue.”

The criticism of Aquino is not constructive, according to Paredes. But he said the act of Corona in not reacting, draws sympathy from the people.

Aquino earlier criticized the controversial decisions made by the Supreme Court led by Corona, including the junking of the Truth Commission he created to investigate the alleged corruption in the Arroyo administration, at a summit held at the Manila Hotel last Monday. – (FREEMAN)