Your dishonor, you may leave the bench

 With the striking of the gavel, Chief Justice Renato Corona became the first official to be removed from office by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. With the exception of three, twenty senators found the Chief Justice guilty of failing to truthfully disclose his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). In the minds and conscience of the twenty, this is enough to see Corona unfit to continue sitting as the highest judge in the highest court of the land. A disgraceful end to an ill-advised stand. Many are saying that he should have just stepped down, and not slug it out, similar to what former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez did, who is now out of the limelight, quietly enjoying her , whatever. Now everyone knows just how much Corona has, which in reality may just be the tip of the iceberg. Many are asking why he did what he did and said what he said. Now everyone is saying, what was he thinking?

 Indeed, his own words and actions were his eventual undoing, as expressed by no less than the Senate President himself, Juan Ponce Enrile, who stated that he did not appreciate Corona’s walking out on them, after delivering a diatribe against all those who mean him ill and out to get his neck. His fate, according to Enrile, was sealed with his theatrics. Enrile’s group was always seen as the swing vote by which the fate of Corona would be decided.

 But what is ironic, is that an unknown case of dismissal in Davao became the catalyst used by several senators, to the approval of many Filipinos, in deciding against Corona. A court interpreter of the Davao Regional Trial Court was dismissed from her job in 1997, because she failed to disclose on her SALN ownership of a stall in the public market. For that, she was barred from ever gaining employment in any government office or institution. How different is Corona’s case, if but by a few hundred million pesos only? Flores’ elation at the decision could not be contained. The law is fair, she exclaims. In this case, it certainly is.

 I do have to point out Sen. Lito Lapid. I have to say, what many thought would be another reason to ridicule the senator from Pampanga, turned out to be the defining speech for millions of Filipinos. His speech was fraught with painful honesty, about his inability to speak the King’s, and little to no knowledge of the law. He humbly stated his educational attainment, among a room filled with individuals with more degrees and letters after their names than their names themselves. He voted according to what was clearly presented to him, in terms he could understand, and voted his conscience. And he isn’t even up for re-election. I have to give it to him. If only for his honesty.

 With the end of this “kortenovela,” I hope the Senate can move on further with the more important work of legislation. And with Corona out, I hope the President does implement his plans that were allegedly being blocked and stifled by Corona. With Corona out, is it a lot easier to get GMA and her cohorts? That remains to be seen, but already the militants are crying for her head on a platter.

One thing’s for sure, SALNs will never be the same again.