CBCP official wants use of Tagalog in impeach trial

MANILA, Philippines - A Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) official asked yesterday the lawyers and senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona to speak in Tagalog or bring their discussion to the level that would be understood by common Filipinos.

“Admittedly it is difficult to translate to Tagalog the technical terms used in legal discussions but they should find a way on how they could clearly explain and make the people understand. What is important here is not the technicalities but what is the truth,” Malolos, Bulacan Bishop Jose Oliveros said in an interview on Radio Veritas.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes also appealed to the media to bring in lawyers to help ordinary Filipinos understand what is going on during the impeachment trial.

The bishops also suggested that during the annotation or commentaries, it would be better if they could speak in Tagalog.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay hopes that the completion of the impeachment trial would lead to a stronger government.

According to Binay, the impeachment court, presided by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, should not allow the repetition of the “painful mistake” that transpired in the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada in 2001 under the watch of then Chief Justice Hilario Davide.

“This is democracy in action. Hopefully, this will strengthen our belief in the democratic system. This (trial) is good because we are now witnessing history in the making. I think it will now depend on the results, rather than speculations,” Binay said.

Binay refused to comment when asked whether, like President Aquino, he also wants Corona to be removed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

“I’d rather not take that position. I don’t want to be another analyzer of issues. Let’s just wait and see how it goes, and pray that the result would be favorable for the country,” Binay said.

Binay believes that President Aquino will accept whatever will be the outcome of the impeachment trial so everybody should also do the same.

“The answer is obvious. Certainly, he (Aquino) is going to accept it because he (Aquino) believes so much in the democratic system,” Binay said.

Former House speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. also agreed that the impeachment trial should be completed because peace and reconciliation could be served only after establishing truth and justice.

“If Justice Renato Corona is deemed guilty, then so be it. At the end, we must serve the ends of justice. All the other statements are all atmospherics,” De Venecia said.

De Venecia added, “Peace and reconciliation should be the end game of Philippine democracy. The resurgence of a strong democracy will dramatically reduce corruption and create the beginnings of a genuine Filipino middle class, bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, which is widening.”

The former speaker also admitted it would take some time to unite and heal the nation, “You cannot avoid inflicting wounds. At some point in time the process of healing will prevail.” – With Eva Visperas, Jose Rodel Clapano