EDITORIAL - Sitting in judgment

Today the Senate sits in judgment in an unprecedented case that will have far-reaching consequences on public accountability and the administration of justice. Since Jan. 16, with a six-week Lenten break, the Senate has managed to carry out its task as an impeachment court with credibility.

In the historic and delicate task of trying the head of the judiciary, the Senate avoided a head-on collision with the Supreme Court, and dismissed rumors and histrionics staged by various personalities. The Senate imposed discipline when Chief Justice Renato Corona walked out of the impeachment court, and then compelled his return, during which he admitted he did not declare $2.4 million and P80 million in seven bank accounts in his annual statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Both sides delivered their final arguments yesterday. The prosecution argued that Corona is not morally fit to remain as Chief Justice and that all he could offer in his defense were nothing but “palusot.” The defense followed Corona’s line when he testified, that his acts of omission did not warrant his removal from office, and all his actions in connection with his assets were done in good faith.

This is only the third time in the nation’s history that an official has been impeached, and it will be the first time that the process will be completed. A walkout by senator-judges, followed by people power hours later, ended the 2001 trial of Joseph Estrada when he was president. Merceditas Gutierrez, impeached as ombudsman last year, chose to resign rather than face trial.

The House of Representatives in the 15th Congress has set a record in impeaching two of the highest officials of the justice system. The process that was followed by the House will be as closely scrutinized as the proceedings that led to this day of judgment for the Chief Justice.

An impeachment trial is not like an ordinary criminal proceeding. As each senator explains his or her vote today on the fate of Corona, it is useful to bear in mind that transparency, accountability, fitness for high office, and the strength of the nation’s democratic institutions are at stake. Precedents are being set. Today the senators sit in judgment on the Chief Justice of the Republic of the Philippines. And the nation sits in judgment on the senators.