Noy, Corona told: Do not shake foundations of Phl democracy

MANILA, Philippines - Religious and lay leaders yesterday appealed to President Aquino and Chief Justice Renato Corona not to shake the foundations of the country’s still fragile democracy.

In a four-page statement titled “A Call for Peace with Justice to Bring the Country Forward,” the more than 200 signatories asked government leaders not to divide the country.

The group said that while they agree with President Aquino that there is a need to unravel the truth and serve the ends of justice, “this must be pursued without unduly shaking the foundations of our still fragile democracy.”

They said they recognize the sincerity shown by President Aquino, who is keeping the country on its “matuwid na daan” (straight path) and is aware of the gigantic tasks that lie before him to bring those accountable before the bar of justice.

“However, we also recognize that, in the best interest of the country, the President should continue keeping the balance in following our democratic processes, marked by healthy and orderly discourse which makes democracy work for us all,” the ecumenical group said.

They also praised Corona for keeping his peace but “we maintain that the sphere and boundaries of justice must be free from the control of vested interests and past favors and must not be beholden to partisan politics.”

The signatories asked the executive branch to continue to serve the people with probity and vision, lead them to our God-ordained destiny of peace and prosperity, serve the ends of justice and prosecute all wrongdoings, and uphold the truth at all times.

On the other hand, members of the judiciary headed by Corona have been asked to be true to their calling and perform their functions with “unimpeachable objectivity and impartiality, in the fear of God being the ultimate Judge of all human actions.”

They said the justices should also make a “solemn commitment” that the judiciary would be “free from any attachment to personal interests and partisan politics, so that the last bastion for justice will be attuned to the sense of justice of our people and to the higher justice of our God.”

Meanwhile, the legislative branch, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate, was requested to make sure that “they serve the greater common good for all Filipinos, and that these are consistent with the higher laws and principles of God, and thus, remain blameless before the Creator.”

The government, as a whole, should work as one and officials should “serve their allegiance fixed only on God, country and the people they serve and not be manacled by past favors, influenced by vested interests and unduly bound by a false sense of gratitude and misplaced loyalty,” they said.

Among those who signed the statement were Baptist Church in Manila head Bishop Reuben Abante, retired Sandiganbayan Justice Raoul Victorino, former Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Pastor Butch Belgica and lawyer Jess Paredes.

Hope on the horizon

Sen. Edgardo Angara yesterday said there is still hope for the executive branch and Corona to settle its differences amicably and put the nation’s focus back on economic growth where it should be right now.

Even though Corona has been impeached at the House of Representatives and his trial is expected to start at the Senate in the middle of January next year, Angara said that there is still time for mediation just like what is done in the regular courts in order to avoid a lengthy trial.

“Let us not give up on any attempt on bringing mediation to the process,” Angara said.

He said that the senator-judges should not only work on hearing the case against Corona but also try to step in and intervene just to decrease the tension between the two sides. – With Marvin Sy