The end

Today ends the first-ever impeachment trial of a Chief Justice. Whether Renato Corona is convicted or not, the repercussion of the Senate’s verdict is so titanic, it will merit a chapter in Philippine history. And whether it is a happy ending for Corona or for the Filipino people, the implications will be far-reaching and the ripple effect long-lasting.

Senator-judges have consistently described the proceedings as “sui generis,” in its own category, character, class and nature. Indeed it is. Some of the more sagely analysts have pointed out that Corona is not the only one being judged. The senator-judges, the defense and prosecution, the legislative, judiciary and executive branches, all public officials and the Filipino people are also on trial. Beyond a guilty-or-not-guilty verdict, this event will define the future political ethic of so-called public servants, and the matching outlook of their constituents.

Valuable insights abound from watching the ensemble and the spectators of this pageant. Less plentiful were “Eureka” moments as the conduct of some actors raised eyebrows but elicited a “what-else-is-new” jaded response. However, the moral lesson that could be learned by all and sundry is priceless.

Renato Corona wishes to be excused [along with GMA, Mike Arroyo, Benjamin Abalos, Jocjoc Bolante and the whole rabble]. With defiance and irrelevance, the Chief Justice gave a 3-hour, oh-pity-me harangue instead of a proper testimony. He lambasted everyone who “persecuted” him, then walked out and checked-in the gang’s usual hideout: the hospital. But instead of St. Luke’s, he chose Medical City which submissively stuck to the script.

He came back to the witness stand 48 hours later with a signed waiver for his dollar accounts and the lamest excuse for his SALN non-disclosure. The Chief Justice interpreted the Bank Secrecy Law as conveniently applicable to government officials! But this time he was more soft-spoken and conciliatory, so much so that the Basa-Guidote family suddenly reconciled in front of Media. Even if the patriarch was called offensive names, the whole clan was lovey-dovey with the promised return of assets. Money is truly the root of all evil and hell’s afloat with copious tears.

Miriam Santiago’s intermittent eruptions during the 40+days of trial, garnered their usual media mileage. They increased in frequency, volume, intensity, vocabulary and overall brutality, but no one was surprised. The rebuking tone was reserved for hapless witnesses and prosecution members who tried her patience. In stark contrast, a reverential and cajoling tenor of questioning was used on Corona. Even when she did not get the answers she wanted to hear, Santiago wore the velvet glove with this witness and the iron fist for the rest. The disparity is bi-polar in dimension or dementia as the case maybe. Will this demeanor be tolerated in the International Criminal Court?

JPE is the de facto Philippine Idol of the Impeachment court. Even with the bend-over-backwards deference he accorded Corona, the Senate president has secured his legacy for posterity, if not a Senate seat for his progeny. Not a bad finale for one of history’s most controversial characters. This achievement should be his greatest act, the final bow before the curtains go down.

Of all the senator-judges, Frank Drilon asked the most intelligent, probing and judicious questions. He was the one who was able to extract Corona’s SALN from the SC clerk of court; the one who was able to extract the PSBank dollar account trail from the voluminous AMLA report; and the only one brave enough to comment that Corona’s excuse would provide a haven for corrupt public servants who wanted to keep their dollar-stash a secret. He was declared the scourge of Corona and the defense team and the savior of the prosecutors. Ultimately he is the advocate for all Filipinos who loathe corruption. Bravo!

Curiously, there were Senators who barely participated or uttered a word. One or two looked like the whole process was Latin to them. They probably wished they were watching an action movie instead. Did a few feel alluded to by the issues of this trial? As GMA-allies, was passive aggression the default mode of behavior? Were they feigning indifference, afraid that the glare of the spotlight will open a Pandora’s box?

Also unmasked by these proceedings were the sharp talons of Iglesia ni Christo that has leveraged its herd vote into an influential lobby force. INC is powerful enough to place their people in key positions like DENR, NBI, and LRTA. It is allegedly rich enough to be able to buy a town in South Dakota. It is no secret that INC’s greatest recruitment tool is the supposed “care” their members get, quid pro quo the 10 percent compulsory tithe from the salaries of their flock, all tax-free.

Serafin Cuevas seems un-chastised for brazenly lying, then recanting. Former NBI chief, Magtanggol Gatdula, accused of kidnapping and extorting a Japanese, has all but disappeared. INC’s support for Corona is a big mystery. What religion mounts a thinly-disguised prayer rally to show support for an unrepentant accused? INC should probably refocus on the “Christo” in their name.

The prosecution has proven Article 2 of the Impeachment complaint. Corona himself admitted that he did not disclose a lot of his assets in his SALN. Does it matter why or how much? Is it a high crime deserving impeachment? Betrayal of public trust is not so much a legal issue as a moral one. The question is whether Corona is fit and honorable enough to lead the highest court in the land.

Filipinos are watching how the senator-judges will cast their vote. Not only will it influence whom they will vote in 2013. This is the critical litmus test, the symbolic forked road. If Corona wriggles out of this bind, will any public official ever be held accountable for breaking the laws they vowed to live by? Can this nation ever achieve good governance? Will Filipinos ever trust public officials? If Corona and his ilk prevail, it’s the end of any hope for epiphany.

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