Corona impeachment 1 year later: Judicial reforms still 'work in progress'

MANILA, Philippines - The judicial reforms by the government are still a "work in progress" a year after the historic conviction of a former Supreme Court Chief Justice, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

 

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said after the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona, the government hopes to continue the reforms initiated by President Benigno Aquino III.

 

"[The judicial reforms are] still a work in progress. Perhaps the impact that you can see immediately  is the emphasis given on the filing of SALNs (statements of assets, liabilities and net worth) when it comes to the employees of the government.

 

On May 29, 2012, the Senate sitting as an impeachment trial court declared Corona guilty of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

 

The ex-chief magistrate was found guilty of violating Article II of the Articles of Impeachment filed against him after he failed to fully disclose his wealth in his SALN.

 

The chief magistrate was impeached in 2011 at the House of Representatives.

 

Corona's removal from office paved way for "changes" in the judiciary with the appointment of Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, who is the first female SC head.

 

Representative Raul Daza, a member of the prosecution panel, said the impeachment highliighted  the need for accountability of government officials and showed how the system of checks and balances works.

 

"I believe that the impeachment trial, however it went, strengthened our democratic institutions," Daza said in a television interview on Wednesday.

 

He also agreed with Valte's statement, saying the SALN has become a "serious document."