Negros OCC Judges: Corona's conviction a sad day for judiciary

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — It was a sad day for the judiciary when the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, handed a guilty verdict and removed Chief Justice Renato Corona from the Supreme Court.

“It was a sad day for the judiciary. Judicial independence has passed away. The men and women in judicial robes are grieving as they cower in fear while the sword of Damocles hovers over their heads,” Judge Franklin Demonteverde of the Bacolod Regional Trial Court said.

“These honorable men and women will be walking on dangerous grounds lest they step on the toes of the powers that be. While we abide by the decision of the impeachment court, we can only pray—God help the judiciary,” he added.

Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito, a lawyer, said, “The senators had voted not on the basis of evidence but on the basis of political survival as 2013 elections is in the air. I admired Senators Arroyo, Santiago, and Marcos for standing with the rule of law.”

“Although I disagreed with the decision of the Senate convicting CJ Corona, it was shown evidences were taken illegally but they still considered these. We have no choice but to respect the decision.,” Distrito added.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who earlier called on Corona to resign, said, “The nation’s democracy was upheld. This should serve as a lesson to everybody, especially the public officials, that the government will catch the corrupt because even the chief justice was convicted.”

Marañon said this gave everybody a strong message that the justice system in our country is fair enough that not only the poor criminals are convicted but the high officials as well.

Representative Alfredo “Albee” Benitez (3rd dist., Negros Occ), one of the 188 lawmakers who signed the impeachment cases, said the conviction of Corona “raised the bar of standards for public officials.”

E. B. Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson, president of Association of Mayors of Negros Occidental, said: “I respect the decision of the senator-judges, (and their) authority in the impeachment. The CJ was given his day in the court. He went through due process, but a decision was made. We have to abide by the law.”

Representative Jeffrey Ferrer (4th dist., Negros Occ) said the senator-judges made the right decision based on evidences presented, and Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (6th dist) said the conviction proved that no one is above the law.

Lawyer Andy Hagad, convenor of Negrenses for Corona’s Removal, said the conviction has given teeth to the SALN as a means to check the corrupt in government.

Former Bacolod Vice Mayor Renecito Novero, a lawyer, said he sympathized with Corona on his sad fate, but it should be as it was. “Interpreting the law according to his (Corona) fashion will indiscriminately provide sanctuary to crooks and thieves in government. The Senate’s decision is a clarion triumph of truth and rectitude,” he said.

Bacolod Councilor Em Ang said: “We might disagree with some senator-judges but the legal process must be respected. I just hope that lessons have been learned from this political-legal exercise. ... Our senators must quickly go back to serious work.”