Between Pnoy and Corona: Church willing to broker peace

CEBU, Philippines - The Catholic Church is willing to broker peace between President Benigno Aquino III and Chief Justice Renato Corona, but will only do so if asked.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the Church is more than willing to mediate between Aquino and Corona, most especially if either one of them would ask so.

While Palma has been quite diplomatic, retired Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said that what Aquino did was not a good example.

Palma, the newly-installed president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said that what the country needs to do right now is to pray that the two leaders come up with an understanding.

Referring to Aquino taking swipe at Corona during a forum in Manila, Palma said, “What happened was very humiliating for the Philippines, so let’s pray that eventually there will be an understanding between the executive and the judicial branch of our government.”

Palma said that some bishops have raised the idea of brokering peace between the leaders, but they are yet to discuss the matter as an organization.

Palma said that it would not be good for the church to meddle in the affairs of the two branches of government, but they are ready to help if asked.

He would not however comment further on the incident as it is not for him to judge.

Bad Example

Vidal said what Aquino did was not a good example to the youth.

“It is unfortunate and not a good example to our young people especially in terms of respect to those who are in authority and this institution that we have,” Vidal said.

Vidal said that democratic structures like the executive and judiciary should be working with each other. “Now if they would try to fight with each other and don’t have this work at all, I don’t think our young people will look up to them,” the Cardinal said.

Vidal also lauded Corona for not hitting back at Aquino.

“That is a gentleman’s way of answering. The Chief Justice showed how to be a gentleman,” he said.

Last Monday, Aquino lambasted Corona for allegedly losing his impartiality in deciding on several cases especially those concerning former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who appointed him to the Supreme Court. In Cebu, an organization has launched a signature drive to impeach the Chief Justice.

Vidal said he does not favor the signature drive conducted by the Consumer Right Economic Welfare (CREW).

“What will happen to our Supreme Court? That is unfortunate because they do not understand what they are doing,” he said.

Vidal said that such acts could even affect the economy.

“I hope this will not always go like this. Our economy is going down,” he said.

The Cebu-based organization is trying to gather 15,000 to 18,000 signatures that they would endorse to Congress as basis to start impeachment proceedings against Corona.

The campaign, they said, is their way to express doubt on the credibility of the judiciary.

Last Monday, during the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit hosted by the Department of Justice at the Manila Hotel, Aquino did not mince words in criticizing the controversial decisions made by the Supreme Court led by Corona. —/NLQ (FREEMAN)