Phantom Maelstrom

Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona

Today, Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona made a statement against the Malacañang, and accused Aquino of forcing his impeachment so that he can appoint his own chief magistrate and control the high court. He spole at the Supreme Court grounds in Padre Faura, Manila in front of supporters from various courts on Wednesday on what appears to be a protest against Corona's impeachment.

Here's the message he delivered this afternoon:

Tagalog version: (For English Version click here)

"Ako ang Unang Tagapagtanggol ng Hustisya!

Isang mainit at mapagpalayang hapon po sa ating lahat!

Tunay na hustisya, kadakilaan ng Kataas-taasang Hukuman, at kalayaan ng hudikatura, tatlo pong prinsipyo na nagbibigay sa akin - sa ating lahat - ng lakas at tapang na harapin ang hamon at pagsubok na bunga ng masamang pulitika.

HINDI PO TAYO PAPAYAG NA LAPASTANGANIN AT ALIPUSTAHIN ANG DEMOKRASYA, AT ANG KORTE SUPREMA!

Sa isang iglap, nasampahan po ako ng isang impeachment complaint ng mababang kapulungan na kontrolado ng Liberal Party ni Ginoong Aquino at ng kanyang mga kaalyado. Sa sobrang bilis, parang wala po yatang naka-intindi o nakabasa man lang ng halos animnapung pahinang reklamo o habla. Isang daan, walumpu't walong kinatawan ang basta na lamang lumagda rito para isulong ang aking impeachment. Kinikilala natin ang proseso ng Saligang Batas para sa mga reklamo laban sa mga miyembro ng Korte Suprema. Ngunit ang hindi natin kinikilala ay ang pag-abuso ng kapangyarihan at proseso para samantalahin ang lahat ng paraan, makapagtalaga lamang sila ng sarili nilang mga mahistrado sa Korte Suprema.

Itong impeachment ay dala ng kasakiman na magkaroon ng isang Korte Suprema na kayang diktahan, na nakukuha sa tingin, at magkakandarapang ipatupad ang kanilang bawat hiling.

Tila yata'y napipikon at hindi sila makapagtalaga ng kanilang punong mahistrado kung susundin ang ating umiiral na Saligang Batas. Kaya pati ang inyong lingkod, hadlang daw sa kaunlaran ng bayan at pagpapatupad ng mga ipinangako sa kampanya!

Pasadahan po natin ang mga walang katuturang paratang ng ating mga magigiting na mambabatas. Walo po ang hinain na paratang laban sa akin. Kaagad, makikitang dalawang uri ang bintang na nilalaman nito: sa isang banda, 'yung mga reklamong tumutukoy sa mga personal kong kilos, at sa kabilang banda naman, ang mga reklamo na tumutukoy sa mga opisyal na pagkilos o hatol ng Korte Suprema.

Mariin kong itinatanggi ang mga bintang na may katiwalian sa mga pansarili kong kilos. Hindi po totoo ang sinasabing ayaw ko raw ilabas ang aking Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Ito'y isang dokumentong sinusumite ko taun-taon ng walang patid. Malaking kasinungalingan ang paratang na ito.

Ako raw po ay isang midnight appointee. Dapat raw po, hindi ko tinanggap ang paghirang sa akin. Bakit po ba, para si Ginoong Aquino ang makapagtalaga ng kaniyang sariling chief justice na hawak niya sa leeg?

Mapapa-iling ka talaga. Ang pagtatalaga sa inyong lingkod ay dumaan sa isang masusing proseso na ayon sa ating Saligang Batas. Kasama po dito ang proseso ng Judicial and Bar Council na noon ay pinangungunahan ng dating Punong Mahistrado Reynato Puno. Matagal na po itong pinagpasyahan ng Korte Suprema. Matagal nang tapos ito. Kung may reklamo man sila sa hatol ng Korte Suprema, sana ay noon pa, ipinaglaban na nila.

Binibuhay ito para painitin ang damdamin ng ating mga kababayan at mawalaan tayo ng tiwala sa Korte Suprema at hudikatura. Di po ba't may kasabihan na 'ang isang kasinungalingan, kapag inulit ng inulit, pagtagal, ay siyang tinatanggap bilang katotohanan?' Paano po naman maging kasalanan ang pagtanggap ng isang dakilang karangalan tulad nito? Ito ay isa lamang pong paninira ng aking katapatan sa katungkulan, kasama na po ang puri at dangal ng Kataas taasang Hukuman.

Ngunit ang kasukdulan ng pambabastos, sa aking pananaw, ay ang pagdawit ng aking may-bahay sa reklamong ito. Baka akala nila na sa ganitong paraan ako po'y madaling susuko. Mapalad po ako na mayroon akong isang mabait at matatag na kasama sa buhay, na siya ring pinagkukunan ko ng lakas at inspirasyon. Mahal na mahal kita, Tina.

Walang katotohan ang kanilang mga paratang - puro kasinungalingan. At patutunayan namin na ito ay isang pag-blackmail lamang. Lingid po yata sa kanilang kaalaman na si Ginang Corona ay una pang naitalaga bago ako naging mahistrado. Bakit, hindi po ba dito sa kasalukuyang administrasyon mayroong isang mag-asawa, kasama ang kanilang mga anak, na may matataas na puwesto?

Ang mga natitirang paratang ay ukol naman sa mga pasiya at iba pang matagal nang patakaran ng Korte Suprema. Alalahanin po natin na ayon sa ating Saligang Batas, ang Korte Suprema Ay binubuo ng isang punong mahistrado at labing-apat na katulong na mahistrado. Mayroon po lamang kaming tig-iisang boto, at ito po ay pantay-pantay. Ang aking boto ay kapareho lamang ng boto ng pinakahuling naitalagang mahistrado. Ang pwersa at bisa ng aking pananaw ay kapantay lamang ng pwersa at bisa ng pananaw ng kahit sino mang mahistrado. Pantay-pantay po kaming lahat dito.

At sa mga isyu na sinasabi nilang kaugnay sa dating pangulo, wala po kaming kinakatigan dito sa hukumang ito. Ang aming pasiya ay pasiya ng buong Korte Suprema at resulta ng mga indibidwal na opinyon. Ang opinyon ng isang mahistrado ay hindi desisyon ng Korte Suprema. Kahit sinumang abogado ay magsasabi sa inyo na hindi po pwedeng yapak-yapakan ang karapatan ng sinuman sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas, habang hindi mo pa napapatunayan na siya ay nagkasala. May mandato ang korte na ipagtanggol higit sa lahat ang karapatang pang-tao ng indibidwal kontra sa labis-labis na kapangyarihan ng pamahalaan, lalong-lao pa kung wala pang naisasampang kaso. Matagal na itong prinsipyo at hindi na kailangang idebate. Ito ang tinatawag na PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE and RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

Isampa ang tamang kaso sa loob ng wastong oras, na may tamang ebidensya para walang magawa ang korte kung di hatulan at ipakulong ang nagkasala sa lipunan. Panagutin natin ang dapat managot, pero idaan natin sa wasto at tamang proseso sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas. Ano po ba ang napakahirap intindihin sa bagay na ito? Ibang-iba po ang palakad sa gabinete, sapagkat doon, lahat ng miyembro ay mga alalay, alagad at utusan ng pangulo. Sa loob ng gabinete, ang utos ng hari, hindi nababali. Dito po sa Korte Suprema, ang pananaw ng punong mahistrado ay isa lamang.. Gaya nga ng sinabi ko, kami ay patas at pare-pareho lamang na nagbibigay halaga at respeto sa opinyon ng bawat isa. Wala po kaming tungkulin at balak na maging sunod-sunuran sa isa't-isa.

Ngayon, ipagpalagay na natin na malimit kasama ko ang mayorya sa botohan, maari ba namang magmistulang pagkampi ito, samantalang nakararami kaming sumasang-ayon sa isang pananaw? Kasalanan po ba na ako'y kasapi ng mayorya ng Korte sa iilang mga kaso? Marami din naman pong kaso na nasa menorya ako sapagka't natalo sa botohan ang aming pananaw. Ito ang magpapatunay na walang nagdidikta ng boto dito sa Korte Suprema.

Kaya nga po dito natin makikita ang likas na talino at sadyang makatarungan na sistema ng hustisya sa ating Saligang-Batas: labing-lima po kami sa Korte Suprema, upang masiguro na mangibabaw ang pananaw ng mas nakakarami. Hindi maaring magtagumpay ang pananaw ng nag-iisang mahistrado.

Samakatuwid, itong mga paratang ng pagkiling laban sa akin ay bunga lamang ng malisya at kathang-isip. Malamang, umaasa ang mga kalaban ng Korte, na ako at ang ibang miyembro na di nila kayang diktahan, ay mag-bibitiw sa tungkulin.

At kung sakaling magtagumpay ang impeachment na ito laban sa akin, ano sa palagay ninyo ang mangyayari? Simple lang po mga mahal kong mga kababayan - kay Ginoong Aquino na ang gabinete, kontrolado na niya ang kongreso, at hawak na niya ang Korte Suprema. Paulit-ulit nalang nilang isinisigaw ang checks and balances ng three co-equal branches of government, ngunit ang kanilang mga pagkilos ay patungo sa pagsakop sa buong sistema at kapangyarihan ng pamahalaan. Itong mga itinatanim niyang gawain ay siguradong mamumunga lamang ng isang diktadura; isang diktadura na nagmula sa paglilinlang at paglalason sa pag-iisip ng ating mga kababayan.

At ngayon, sasabihin ko po sa kanilang lahat: ako'y tumututol sa walang-tigil na pang-aalipusta, pangduduro at pananakot. Ako'y tumututol sa dahan-dahang binubuong diktadura ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Kahapon lamang, iginigiit ng palasyo na hindi raw ang Korte Suprema o hudikatura, at ako lang daw, ang tinitira dito sa impeachment. Ito po'y malaking kasinungalingan, dahil hindi ako naniniwala na si Renato Corona lang ang tumututol sa diktadura. Walang katotohanan na si Renato Corona lamang ang gusto nilang tanggalin sa Korte Suprema. Naniniwala po ako na tayong lahat ang kinakalaban, pati na ang mga walang-malay nilang tagahanga. Sapagkat ang tunay na layunin ay wasakin ang hudikatura, wasakin ang ating demokrasya, at pairalin ang utos ng mahal na hari. Ito ang patutunguhan ng baluktot na 'Daang Matuwid.'

Matagal na po akong nagtitimpi. Hindi ko po maintindihan kung bakit nanggigigil ng husto sa akin ang mahal nating pangulo, magmula pa po sa kanyang pagkaluklok sa pwesto.

Tuwing kami'y nagkikita, lubos kong pinararamdam na kami'y dapat mag-ugnayan, magsama at magtulungan para sa bayan. Marami po tayong problema. Nandiyan po ang mabagal na takbo ng ekonomiya, kawalan ng trabaho, kahirapan at kagutuman. Mukhang hindi po niya naintindihan.

Kumakailan lamang, tinuya na naman po tayo ng harap-harapan. Tulad ng tunay na Kristianong Batangueño, tayo po ay nagpigil, at ito po ay ating pinalampas.

Wala po akong kasalanan sa inyo, Ginoong Pangulo. Wala po akong kasalanan sa taong-bayan.

Sabi nila, sarili ko lang daw po ang nakataya dito. Ang pinaglalaban po natin dito ay ang kalayaan ng Korte Suprema, kalayaan ng hudikatura, at ang pagtanggol ng demokrasya sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas. Hindi po ako papayag na sumuko sa matinding pagtatangka na mapasailalim ng ibang sangay ng pamahalaan ang Korte Suprema. Una akong tututol. Una akong lalaban.

Ginoong Pangulo, ako po ang primus inter pares dito sa Korte Suprema. Ang ibig sabihin po nito, kung kailangan ipaglaban ang Korte Suprema, ako ang uuna.

Huwag na po nating isubo ang Korte Suprema sa ano pang pagsubok o batikos ng mga mapagsamantala. Yaman din lang na ang ipinaglalaban dito ay ang Korte Suprema at ang demokrasya, karangalan at katungkulan ko po na labanan itong impeachment para sa ating lahat. Haharapin ko nang buong tapang at talino ang mga walang basehang paratang na ito, punto por punto, sa Senado. Handang-handa akong humarap sa paglilitis.

Mga kasama, matapat kong sinasabi sa inyo, mahimbing ang tulog ko at tahimik ang aking konsyensya dahil sa pagpapatupad ng lahat ng aking mga tungkulin. Ako'y nanatiling matapat sa Panginoon, sa aking sarili, sa batas, at sa sinumang tao.

Para sa mga ngayon pa lang nakakarinig ng aking panawagan, inaanyayahan ko kayong makiisa sa amin. Ngayon pa lamang ay taos-puso na ang aking pasasalamat sa inyo sa inyong pagtaguyod, pakikiisa at pagpapalakas ng aming loob.

Mga minamahal kong kababayan, sa aking pagharap sa isang mapanganib na katunggali, ang aking tanging sandigan ay ang inyong pakiki-akibat, at ang paninindigan para sa Lumikha at sa ating bayan. Buong pagkukumbaba kong hinihiling ang inyong pang-unawa, subalit higit sa lahat, hinihiling kong samahan ninyo ako sa aking laban at misyon.

Muli, isang maganda at maalab na hapon po sa inyong lahat. Sana'y pagpalain po tayong lahat ng Maykapal."

For those who cannot understand Tagalog, here's the English Version.

"I am the first guardian of Justice!

A hot and liberating afternoon to all of us!

True Justice, greatness of the Supreme Court, and freedom of the judiciary, the three principles that gives me - and all of us - strength and courage to face the challenge and tests brought about by bad politics.

WE WILL NOT ALLOW DISRESPECT AND INSULT TOWARDS DEMOCRACY, AND THE SUPREME COURT!

In an instance, I was sued with an impeachment complaint by the lower assembly that's controlled by the Liberal Party of Mr. Aquino and his allies. At such excessive speeds, it's as if no one understood or even read the almost 60 pages of complaint or lawsuit. 180 representatives just signed this to advance my impeachment.

We recognize the constitutional process for complaints against members of the Supreme Court. But, we dot not recognize the abuse of power and the procedure to take advantage all the way, just so they could assign them their own justices to the Supreme Court.

This impeachment was brought by greed so to have a Supreme Court they can dictate, that can obtain with a mere look, and hastily implement their every request.

Apparently, they get mad for not being able to appoint their own chief justice if they follow our existing constitution. That's why they charge even your own servant, saying we are the barrier that prevents the progress of the nation, and the accomplishment of their promises in the campaign!

Let's go through the irrelevant allegations of our heroic legislators. They laid 8 allegations against me. Immediately, we can see two types of allegations contained herein: on one hand, those complaints that refer to my personal actions, and on the other hand, the complaint that refers to the official act or decision of the Supreme Court.

I calmly deny the allegations that there was corruption in my personal actions. It's not true that I don't want to release my Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. This is a document that I uninterruptedly submit annually. This accusation is a big lie.

They say, I am a midnight appointee. They say, I should not have accepted this position. Why not, so that Mr. Aquino could assign his own chief justice he could dominate?

It can really make you shook your head. The appointment of your servant undergo a rigorous process that is in accordance with our Constitution.

Along with this is the process of the Judicial and Bar Council that was once led by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno. It has long been decided by the Supreme Court. It was done a long time ago. If they have a complaint with the ruling of the Supreme Court, they should have fought for it before.

They are reviving this issue to insinuate hate among our countrymen and we are losing our trust on the Supreme Court and the Judiciary. Isn't it there is a saying that says 'a lie, if kept on repeated, later, it is the one eventually accepted as the truth?' How can accepting this great honor be a mistake? This is just a ploy to damage my credibility, including the pride and dignity of the most high Court.

But the peak of scurrility, in my view, is the inclusion of my house wife in the complaint. Maybe they thought this way they could easily make me surrender. I'm lucky to have a good and strong partner, who is also the source of my strength and inspiration. I love you very much, Tina.

There's no truth in their allegations - nothing but lies. And we're going to prove that this is nothing more than a blackmail. Unbeknownst to them, Mrs. Corona had been appointed even before I became a magistrate. Why, in this current administration there's a couple, with their children, with a high position?

The remaining allegations were about my decisions and some other long-standing policy of the Supreme Court. We must remember that according to our Constitution, the Supreme Court is composed of a chief magistrate and 14 assistant magistrates. We only have one vote each, and this is equal. My vote is the same as with the latest assigned magistrate. The power and the effect of my decision is just equal to the power and effectiveness of any magistrate. We are all even here.

And for the issues they say we're related to the former president, we are not siding on anyone here in this court. Our decision is the decision of the entire Supreme Court and the results of individual opinions. The opinion of a magistrate is the decision of the Supreme Court. Even any lawyer will tell you that you cannot step on anybody's rights under the Constitution, while not yet verified that he/she was guilty.

The court has a mandate to defend, most importantly, the human rights of individuals against excessive government power, especially if there was no filed case. It has long been the principle and does not need to be debated. This is called PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE and RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

File the right case in an appropriate time, with conclusive evidence so the Supreme Court cannot do anything but to pass judgement and to jail those who wronged the society. We'll make those are accounted answer, but let's do this in the right process under the Constitution. What's so hard to understand in this matter? This is so different from running the cabinet, because there, all members are assistants, disciple and servants of the president. Inside the cabinet, the order of the king, can't be opposed. Here in the Supreme Court, the decision of the chief magistrate is one.. Like I said, we are all evenly giving value and respect on each other's opinion. We have no duty or intention to follow one another.

Now, supposing I often go with the majority in the voting, can this look like allegiance, when we mostly agree on one decision? Is it my fault that I belong to the majority of the Court in some cases?

There were also many cases where I was in the minority even my decision was lost in the voting. This is proof that no one is dictating on the votes here in the Supreme Court.

That is why here we can see the natural ingenuity and intended fair justice system in our Constitution: there are 15 of us in the Supreme Court, so to ensure that the decision of the majority stands out. It is not possible for the decision of one magistrate to succeed.

Therefore, these bias allegations against me is simply the result of malice and wishful thinking. Probably, the enemies of the Court are hoping, that I and the other members which they can not dictate, would let go of the office.

And if ever the impeachment would succeed against me, what do you think would happen? It's simple my beloved countrymen - Mr. Aquino will own the cabinet, he could control the congress, and he will hold the Supreme Court. They repeatedly shouted about checks and balances of the three co-equal branches of government, but their movement is towards conquest of the whole system and power of the government. These activities they sow are only sure to bring forth dictatorship; a dictatorship that came from deception and from poisoning the minds of our countrymen.

And now, I am going to tell them all: I am against the constant outrage, finger-pointing and threats. I am against to the slowly forming dictatorship of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. Just yesterday, the Palace insists that they are not against the Supreme Court or the judiciary, and I alone is the target for impeachment. This is a big lie, because I don't believe that Renato Corona is the only one who is against the dictatorship. It's not true that Renato Corona is the only one they want to remove from the Supreme Court. I believe that we are all being opposed, including their innocent fans. Because their real goal is to destroy the judiciary, to destroy our democracy, and enforced the order of his majesty. This is the direction of the bending 'Straight Road'.

I was holding back for so long. I do not understand why our beloved president is mad at me, even since he was put in power.

Whenever we meet, I let him feel that we should interact, join and work together for the nation. We have so many problems. There's the slow growth of economy, unemployment, poverty and hunger. It seems he doesn't understand.

Just recently, he mocked us again in front of our faces. Like a true Batangueño Christian, we refrained, and we let go.

I have no fault in you, Mr. President. I have no fault towards the people.

They say, I'm the only one who's at stake here. What we are fighting here is the freedom of the Supreme Court, freedom of the judiciary, and the defense of democracy under the Constitution. I'm not willing to succumb to the extreme attempts of the other branches of government to bind the Supreme Court. I'll be the first to object. I'll be the first to fight.

Mr. President, I am the primus inter pares here in the Supreme Court. What I mean is, if it's necessary we should fight for the Supreme Court, I'll be the first.

We should not subject the Supreme Court to whatever challenges or criticisms of these opportunists. Inasmuch as fighting for the Supreme Court and Democracy, it is my honor and duty to fight this impeachment for the sake of us all. I will face this baseless accusations with all courage and talent, point per point, in the Senate. I am ready to face the trial.

My comrades, I tell you honestly, I can sleep well and my conscience is clear because I implemented all of my duties. I remained faithful to the Lord, myself, to the law, and to any person.

For now just hear my call, I invite you to join us. Right now, I offer my sincere gratitude to you in your promotions, companionship and for strengthening our will.

My dear countrymen, once I face my dangerous opponent, my only foundation is your struggles, affiliation, and stand for the Creator of our nation.

In full humility I request your understanding, but above all, I ask you all to accompany me in my fight and mission.

Once again, a beautiful and hot afternoon to all of you. May God bless us all."

Meanwhile...

The Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona's speedy impeachment gives a boost to justice in the country, according to an official of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP).

Sr. Mary John Mananzan, AMRSP co-chairperson, described the proceedings as a huge help to the Aquino administration's campaign against corruption.

"Yes I welcome it at magandang development ito [and this is a good development] although na surprise din ako sa ganun kabilis [I was surprise of its swiftness]," Mananzan told Manila archdiocese-run Radyo (Radio) Veritas.

"Mukhang bumibilis na ang justice natin ngayon. Hindi kasi tayo sanay sa mabilis kaya tayo nagugulantang. Dapat i-welcome natin ang mabilis [It appears that our justice is moving fast right now. We are not use to such swiftness that's why we are shocked. We should welcome swiftness]," she added.

The House of Representatives, meeting in plenary last Monday night, voted to impeach Corona, making him the first head of the SC to be impeached.

The impeachment case was then transmitted to the Senate on Tuesday, and the chamber immediately referred it to the committee on rules being headed by Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III.

Sotto said he would file a motion on Wednesday to constitute the Senate into an impeachment court to commence on January 16.