MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang no longer questions the appointment of Renato Corona as Chief Justice.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Eduardo de Mesa said the validity of Corona’s appointment has already been settled by the Supreme Court.
“That’s the final word on the matter,” De Mesa said.
However, some members of the judiciary could be covered by Executive Order 2, which dismissed midnight appointees of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, De Mesa said.
President Aquino had acknowledged Corona during the “Red Mass” at the Manila Cathedral on July 7 and in his first State of the Nation Address on July 26, according to presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.
During the campaign, Mr. Aquino had said he would not recognize Corona’s appointment as chief justice.