The Philippine Bar Association (PBA) has always stood by its guiding principle—the Rule of Law.
The public exchange between co-equal branches of government may be discounted as part and parcel of a vibrant—if at times raucous—democracy. Nonetheless, it is unfortunate that this has come to pass. Yet, at the end of the day, the Constitution provides mechanisms for the resolution of these disputes under the Rule of Law.
On this premise, the PBA views the impeachment proceedings commenced against Chief Justice Renato Corona as the constitutionally ordained process which epitomizes the Rule of Law at work. It will allow the issues to be properly ventilated in sober and orderly proceedings where guilt or innocence is weighed and determined on true merit and not on the basis of an open competition to win public opinion.
Chief Justice Corona is entitled to defend himself in the appropriate forum where he must be accorded the respect due his high office. Let all accusations be ventilated and heard in this constitutional process, and let this process not be undermined by any quarter.
In keeping with its cherished traditions, the PBA will remain vigilant in ensuring that the Rule of Law will prevail over those who would seek to undermine it.
—RONALD OLIVAR SOLIS, president, Philippine Bar Association