Palace slams Corona's claim on early retirement offer

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang slammed Chief Justice Renato Corona’s claims yesterday that the Palace is forcing him to resign or avail of early retirement, a few weeks before his impeachment trial resumes at the Senate.

“It is lamentable that the Chief Justice has been of late issuing un-statesmanlike and false diatribes against the Palace,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told The STAR.  

Valte added that instead of issuing provocative statements, Corona should instead focus his energies on defending his case before the Senate impeachment court.

“He would be well advised to refrain from making untruthful statements if he wishes to preserve what little goodwill the public has for him,” she said.

Earlier, Corona, through his defense lawyers, disclosed that he was told “to save the entire judiciary from the danger that it might undergo and to spare other justices, judges, court officials and employees from uncertainties.”

Although the Chief Justice did not name the Palace official or the emissary who made the offer, he said that he declined it because surrendering would mean “destruction of the ideals set forth by the Constitution, which calls for a constitutional democracy, where the separation of powers, judicial independence and the rule of law reign.”

Corona issued the statement after President Aquino again blasted him and the entire judiciary during the recent commencement exercises of Centro Escolar University.

Last month, the chief magistrate revealed the supposed offer from Sen. Teofisto Guingona III of “term-sharing” with Senior Justice Antonio Carpio.

He also alleged that another senator allied with the administration had likewise sent an emissary to convince him to resign. Sources said he was referring to Sen. Franklin Drilon, who has been criticized for showing his bias in the trial against Corona by allegedly aiding House prosecutors during proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) reiterated its stand against violations of rules of law in the impeachment of Corona.

Dennis Habawel, IBP spokesperson and concurrent governor for IBP Northern Luzon region, said their group continues to denounce the filing of the impeachment complaint.

“We have been steadfast in advocating the rule of law, and the rule of law protects the rights of the accused, in this case the Chief Justice; and the process has not been followed,” Habawel stressed.

“We want to stay the course on how to view this exercise, and we have been vigilant when there are excesses,” he added.

The IBP, the official organization of Filipino lawyers, has been independently monitoring the Chief Justice’s trial.

Two months ago, IBP issued a warning to the President not to meddle with the impeachment.

“The mere expression of the President of his opinion is protected by the freedom of speech, but if he commits acts that tend to influence the Senate, as in giving pork barrel projects, the President risks being impeached by Congress for culpable violation of the Constitution,” the IBP said in a statement.