Congress approves Renato Corona's impeachment

Philippines
December 13, 2011 1:11am CST
The House of Representatives on Monday night approved the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona for alleged graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. The charges against Mr. Renato Corona are: - partiality and subservience in cases involving the Arroyo administration; - failure to disclose to the public his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN); - issuance of flip-flopping decisions in final and executory cases; - issuance of the “status quo ante” order against the House of Representatives in the case concerning the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez; - decision in favor of gerrymandering in the cases involving 16 newly-created cities, and the promotion of Dinagat Island into a province; - granting temporary restraining order in favor of former President Arroyo; and failure and refusal to account for the Judicial Development Fund (JDF) and special allowance for the judiciary collections Personally, I think its about time this crook posing as SC justice gets his comeuppance. He is the right hand man of Gloria Arroyo and has benefitted immensely from her corrupt practices. His impeachment will greatly improve the image of the Supreme Court.
2 people like this
7 responses
13 Dec 11
I saw on the news and I believe that there might be a constitutional crisis with this impeachment of Corona. The judiciary is a co-equal branch of the executive department. From the complaints above-mentioned, most of the charges are directed against the decisions of the SC which is a big No No under our constitution. There is no way that a co-equal branch executive dept can intrude in the turf of that of the judiciary. In short, I dont favor this impeachment
1 person likes this
@airkulet (2700)
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
I agree, though I am also not agree that Corona should be in his place right now appointing before be ex presidency arroyo. I hope that we can all surpass this one.
• Philippines
13 Dec 11
I agree to impeach Corona. It is very obvious that his decisions are favor to former president Arroyo. In the first place, Mrs. Arroyo was the one who gave that position to him, so, he it's time to return the favor.
1 person likes this
@airkulet (2700)
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
Very well said, If only he was appointed a long a go. I wont mind it, but I can't take off thinking that some of his decision are bias
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
13 Dec 11
I feel that this is a battle of legality over things. Moreover this also will somehow be tainted with politics but then I think that it would take some time because Senate would be on a 1 month vacation and this impeachment will be tackled on Jan 15 next year. I sincerely hope that there would be a resolution on this matter since I haven't seen anyone really got impeach for anything. The former president got away with this with lots of technicalities, former Pres Estrada did not finish the impeachment and so is Merceditas Guttierrez. I hope this one will come to its end and a resolution will be made in the coming days. I feel that the tension between the executive and judiciary is getting worse and this makes the government weaker as they cannot function normally anymore.
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
18 Dec 11
President Aquino will do whatever he can do just to stop corruption, and if there is any possible corruption to exist, he must stop it, prevent it, and that is what he is going now... i understand.
@airkulet (2700)
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
Maybe its also about time to elect SC officials or find some ways that they will appointed without gratitude for appointing.
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
If the constitution gets amended, then I think this is one procedure that should be changed. The Supreme Court justices should not be appointed by a sitting president. An independent group of scholars and ex-justices who have no party affiliations should nominate them, then a legislative committee composed of 50% of both ruling and opposition party lawmakers will interview and vote on whether to approve or disapprove the nominee.
@champoy186 (1638)
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
I agree on the impeachment of Mr. Corona. He is a midnight appointee of former President GMA. His decisions are in favor of GMA. He is just giving back the favor to the person who put him in his position now. I doubt his integrity. Better elect a new one now.
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
13 Dec 11
It's really a good thing that they filed this impeachment case against Corona. He was a midnight appointee by Arroyo and from the beginning , those appointees have greatly benefited from the Arroyo administration. Thus, now that he is in the judiciary, he has to return the favor to the Arroyos. With all the alleged misdoings that he has done, i know that he is already crowing in fear, no matter how much he says in TV that he will fight. Fight for what?