Official Statement of Kaya Natin! on the Impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona
We, the leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, support and laud the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona by the House of Representatives.
We believe that the Supreme Court, as the highest judicial body of the land, should undoubtedly be independent from any administration, past or present, in order to fulfill its obligations justly and without bias. The long and strong history between Corona and former President now Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gives Filipinos a compelling reason to believe that the Supreme Court led by Corona is still heavily biased for Arroyo. It also did not help that Corona’s appointment as Chief Justice itself was questionable and went against the Constitution as a midnight appointment.
The Filipinos deserve a truly independent and trustworthy judicial body that will decide on important cases based on what is legal, constitutional, and right, not on whom the courts are loyal to. We Filipinos have already suffered countless of injustices from biased decisions, and we will no longer remain silent while these people continue to defile our institutions.
We refuse to tolerate this poisoning of the Supreme Court. Now, more than ever, there is a need to restore the full trust and confidence of the Filipino people in our high court. We cannot afford to have a court that is highly mistrusted by the people, especially the Supreme Court which is supposed to work for the good of the Filipinos.
We call on the Senate of the Philippines, as the trial court for the impeachment case of Chief Justice Corona, to listen to the people whose trust was betrayed by the actions of Corona. We hope that the evidence presented by the Lower House in the articles of impeachment are sufficient to exact accountability from the Chief Justice.
We also call on every Filipino in the country to remain vigilant and continue to hold accountable our officials who have likewise betrayed us by putting their own selfish interests above the public good. It is high time that we demand transparency and accountability from our government officials, as we should rightfully do.
Finally, we call on all government officials, whether appointed or elected, to be truthful and faithful in our mission to serve the public. Public service is not a business, not a way to make money, but a way to give our countrymen good governance and a better quality of life that every Filipino deserves.
Signed:
Jesse Robredo, DILG Secretary
Eddie Panlilio, former Governor, Pampanga
Grace Padaca, former Governor, Isabela
Teddy Baguilat, Jr., Representative, Ifugao
Sonia Lorenzo, Executive Director, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines
Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environment Protection
Jeng Reyes, Mayor, Alicia, Isabela
Fermin Mabulo, Provincial Administrator, Camarines Sur
Florante Gerdan, President, Poro Point Development Authority
Roque Verzosa, Jr., Mayor, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur
Mabel Acosta, former Councilor, Davao City
Shirlyn Macasarte, Board Member, North Cotabato
Janaree Disomimba, former Mayor, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur
Gloria Congco, Mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija
Marivic Belena, Mayor, San Jose City
(01) KAYA NATIN’s noble objective of Good Governance is laudable – and should pervade the entire bureaucracy of Government. P-Noy’s “Anti-Corruption Platform” (presented to the people during the 2010 Presidential Elections and which now serves as his mandate to deliver on his Campaign Promise) has the support of the people – as evidenced by his consistent & continuing high Popularity Ratings. Hence, P-Noy must be commended for his determined efforts at going after Public Officials (whoever they are – high or low, past & present) to answer for their wrong-doings. (02) On the other hand, our Constitution defines our Form-of-Government as a Republican Democracy with Separation-of-Powers assigned to 3 co-equal Branches-of-Government – the EXECUTIVE to implement the Laws; the LEGISLATURE to write the Laws; the JUDICIARY to interpret the Laws. The Conduct-of-Business by each Branch-of-Government is governed by its own Internal Rules. As we consider ourselves as a Country-of-Laws and a part of the Civilized World, we should ever be conscious and should ever be respectful of “Due Process”. No Sense-of-Urgency would set aside Due Process – unless we opt to be un-civilized. (03) P-Noy’s repeated personal attacks and public censure of the Chief Justice (after DOJ Sec Leila de Lima disregarded the Supreme Court’s TRO on GMA’s alleged attempt at Flight-from-Justice) quickly followed up by the hurried procedure in the HOR voting upon CJ Corona’s Impeachment Complaint is NOT reflective of respect between and among co-equal Branches-of-Government. When the EXECUTIVE plays its “heavy hand” by withholding or delaying releases of Congressmen’s PDAF & of the Judiciary’s Budget (despite the Constitutional Mandate of Fiscal Autonomy), isn’t this foul? I consider “Good Governance” having 2 essential elements – Accountability & Fair Play. As Filipinos, in our Country’s current trial, may we all have that Mental Honesty and Sincerity-of-Heart to take the path of P-Noy’s “Daang Matuwid” – WITHOUT malice. God save the Philippines!!!!