Acquittal or conviction? Supreme Court justices ready for today's verdict

MANILA, Philippines - Colleagues of Chief Justice Renato Corona in the Supreme Court (SC) are ready for the verdict that the impeachment court is expected to hand down today.

Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. told reporters they are ready for the effects of a possible conviction or acquittal of Corona.

“We’ll accept the verdict,” he said. “Whatever it is, we’ll accept it. If there are adjustments to be made, we will try our best to serve the Filipino people and the nation. It would be hard if we don’t have justice - that can’t be shattered.

“Well, congratulations (to him) if he will be acquitted. We’ll try to do better in the times ahead.”

Villarama wishes Corona the best of luck as he faces judgment of the impeachment court.

“Good luck to the chief,” he said.

“I can say that he is a very good person. He’s been very good to us. He’s been a good leader since I joined the court. I wish him luck.”

Villarama said the impeachment trial of Corona had tainted the image of the judiciary.

“You have to improve or regain the confidence of the people in the judiciary,” he said.

Villarama said he was “personally affected” by the trial, which put the judiciary under scrutiny.

“If the institution is under trial, partly I’m also under trial because I’m part of it,” he said.

Villarama is among the four SC justices who took the public challenge of Corona for public officials to waive the secrecy of their dollar bank accounts for the sake of accountability and transparency in public service.

He agreed to waive secrecy of his assets because he felt it was the proper thing to do, he added.

Villarama made public his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth for 2011 last February in response to a request of various groups.

Associate Justice Roberto Abad also agreed to waive the secrecy of his dollar deposits.

“I don’t intend it for any implication,” he said. “Personally, it’s about honesty. I’m willing to waive because I have nothing to hide.”

He supports the stand of Corona to “leave it up to the Lord,” Abad said.

Associate Justices Arturo Brion and Jose Perez have also manifested over the weekend their willingness to waive the secrecy of their dollar deposits.

Meanwhile, SC employees are expecting Corona to be acquitted.

Jojo Guerrero, SC Employees Association president, said they believe Corona is innocent of the allegations that the House of Representatives prosecutors have hurled at him.

“If the senator-judges would base it on evidence presented, then the Chief Justice wins,” he said.

Guerrero said they would hold a victory party should the Senate acquit Corona.

However, a conviction would mean the senators based their decision on political considerations, he added.  

Workers are gearing for intensified protest actions should Corona be convicted.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairman Elmer Labog said workers must prepare for the conviction of Corona, considering that the administration has used all powers to prosecute him.

Bishop: Pray for senators

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo asked Filipinos yesterday to pray that personal interest would not sway senator-judges when they give their verdict on the impeachment case against Corona.

“Let us pray for our senator-judges, that they be just and that they would not succumb to bribe... that they would not be bribed to take sides... That they would not be influenced by those threatening them and most of all they would not be swayed by their personal interest,” he said.

In an interview with CBCPNews, Pabillo said the senators should vote according to their conscience, and that they should consider the interest of the country.

“Whatever their decision would be, it would have a big repercussion on our government,” he said. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Evelyn Macairan