Ill wind for Corona?

Early last month, after the Supreme Court decided “with finality” to have the Hacienda Luisita subdivided among the more than 6,000 farmer beneficiaries, Chief Justice Corona was asked whether or not Malacañang would try to get back at him through the ongoing impeachment trial. His answer was that there was a big possibility. He could be right. With the resumption of the hearing, there has been, according to the defense panel, a perceptible change of atmosphere in the Senate court. One proof: While before the presiding Senate President seemed sympathetic to them, now he appears antagonistic, the reason why their motion to present more witnesses has been struck down, the reason too why a heated exchange of viewpoints between Enrile and Cuevas, chief of the defense team, happened.

Something happened during the recess, one of Corona’s lawyers commented. Perhaps he was right; perhaps he was wrong. But the possibility that “something” did happen weighs heavier to many observers. Let’s look at the facts: First, the Ombudsman suddenly came out with a demand that the Chief Justice explain his alleged ten million dollar accounts, followed by a testimony by Ombudsman Carpio Morales herself on such accounts. Second, no less than the Senate President himself commented that the Ombudsman’s move was in order and that it would not in anyway affect the impeachment proceedings.

But of course clear thinking people know that the testimony of the Ombudsman has now cast a shadow of doubt on the integrity of the Chief Justice. Is this another vintage of Malacañang dirt-digging campaign? That high office has used the media to denigrate the CJ’s person. Now it is using the Ombudsman and the BIR for the same purpose. What other government agencies would be tapped to tighten the noose on the accused?

Using the awesome power of his office, PNoy is now trying to reach for Corona’s jugular. Will he succeed? If he does democracy in this country would be considerably weakened. The doctrine of check and balances would be crippled. Executive, legislative, judiciary – these are supposed to function independent of each other. But the President has shown he could step on the toes of congressmen (He did so with ease in the case of 188 impeachment signers). Now he is trying to lead the Senate by its nose with “something” as he tries to destroy his nemesis. Will the senators eventually capitulate?

Election is about a year away. In a few months politicians will start projecting their image and that of their cohorts to win the people’s favor. A number of the senator-judges themselves will be seeking re-election. Those who are not have their own protégées in the local level to support. Where will they get the funds? Some may say that the senators have their own PDAF to lean on. But who can prevent the DBM from delaying its release? On the other hand, if they dance to the music of the Pasig office, why, there are hundreds of million from its contingency or intelligence coffers to look forward to.

Moreover, there is the factor of character as far as the senator-judges are concerned. With the exception of a few, a number of these people had committed serious indiscretions in the past which make them unfit to sit in that chamber, while a number too are bereft of the academic seasoning needed to make one like “a seasoned timber that never gives”, to paraphrase a poem.

With these adverse circumstances, an ill wind is now felt in the impeachment landscape. We hope we are wrong. We hope the senators would rise to the challenge to protect Philippine democracy. It’s not that we believe Corona is clean. Perhaps his hands are soiled like those of most bureaucrats in this country. But destroying him now is equivalent to destroying the independence of the Supreme Court or of the judiciary itself. Where then could one get justice in this country?

With a weakened legislature and a cringing Supreme Court, can dictatorship be far behind?