Impeachment-related questions

CJ Corona was appointed by GMA, whose legitimacy as truly elected president of the Philippines remains contested to this day. CJ Corona was appointed even before the start of the term of Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III who was genuinely elected by millions of Filipinos.

Noynoy or PNoy wanted to have a team to work with him, to serve the people. As President, he thought he had the power to appoint the Chief Justice who could help him with his “tuwid na daan” election pledge. GMA, however, took this right from him. CJ Corona believes that she had the right to do so and that he was sticking to his appointment to the highest position of the Supreme Court which he also claims he deserves, based on his credentials.

If the present charges vs. GMA are proven, showing that her way to the presidency was not legitimate, will that make her appointment of Corona also invalid? Is this a scenario that can be expected, whether the Senate will impeach or acquit Corona?

Also, if Corona has the same goal to serve the millions of Filipinos seek truth and justice just like PNoy, can Corona restore to PNoy the legitimate President’s prerogative to appoint the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during his term? If both profess to serving God and people, truth and justice, how come they are not on the same team, how come they are not working together then and now? not give up his post as CJ. If so, then should he not clarify for people the charges that he did not completely declare all his assets in his SALN? Isn’t showing the proof and evidence that he did declare all in his SALN so easy to do for someone who has nothing to lose by stating the truth?

Did he declare all his assets and liabilities, including those of his wife? Did he declare all his properties, all his bank deposits and amounts as required to be declared, especially by those bound by the oath to pursue truth, integrity, and justice?

If he is interested in having the truth clear his name, would it not have been easier for him to volunteer all the information about his assets and liabilities, including his bank deposits? Why, then, the TRO request to the SC that he heads to stop the Senate from getting his bank details?

The privacy clause to safeguard the bank and the bank’s clients is not the issue that applies to Corona’s case because he can volunteer his bank details without the Senate having to subpoena the banks to do so- if it is his intention to show the truth to all.

If these vital information about his bank accounts and his other assets can set him free, why then does he not immediately volunteer the information so that he can clear his name and prove the prosecution wrong?

There are legal procedures for proving the guilt and innocence of any person, yes. But in this case, the CJ is being accused of not being transparent and honest about his SALN declarations - is it not simpler for Corona to bring all the proof that he is transparent and honest and deserves to be CJ? Doing so will quicken the pace of the impeachment trial, save so much costs and pain, and will facilitate the earlier clearing of his image and will confirm to the Filipino people that indeed, here is one honest and transparent CJ.

Why then is he allowing his defense team to stop all attempts to gain information about his assets and why try to stop the Senate from continuing with the impeachment trial? What he and his defense team declare as persecution and a cross for him to bear may be Corona’s crown of glory when he and his defense team can bring out all the proof, not prevent the presentation of evidence that will show clearly to all unequivocably, without doubt, that he is honest and transparent and deserves to be CJ.

The next hurdle is for the CJ to show, beyond doubt that he is serving as CJ for the whole nation, including a legitimate President elected by millions of Filipinos and not merely as CJ for GMA who appointed him to this position.

If truth is on his side, then cannot Corona hurry to volunteer all proof and evidence in the present impeachment trial or go public or explore other venues, outside the impeachment trial, to clear the allegations against him and move on to serve as CJ for all the Filipino people?

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