Why Corona should resign

The latest survey shows Chief Justice Renato Corona is the least trusted among the top officials in the national government. And why am I not surprised? His speech last month at the Supreme Court, in response to a scathing rebuke by President Aquino earlier, tells me very clearly that the man does not deserve to sit in a lofty position of responsibility, if his gutter language and convoluted logic are any indication.

I didn’t hear Corona respond to the charge that he is a midnight appointee of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This is what has been called by observers as his “original sin.” But did he even mention that there is a constitutional ban on any appointments by the president two months before an election? No, sir, he didn’t. And he is supposed to be the Chief Justice who should know the Constitution like the back of his hand?

How did Corona respond to the allegation that he has failed to submit his annual statement of assets, liabilities and net worth as required by law? He denied it outright, but did not offer any concrete evidence. Is this what his law professors taught him? You can get away with any crime by issuing stout denials and pointing fingers at others?

But Corona, as far as I can tell, has learned a lot from his patron, Arroyo: When pushed to the wall, use squid tactics and paint your adversary in the darkest colors. And don’t forget name-calling, because he also called P-Noy a liar and dictator without adequately explaining why. Basta, he is a liar and a dictator.

I am afraid that Corona has single-handedly brought the Supreme Court to ruin with his patent bias for Arroyo and subservience to her wishes. Thus, his impeachment is welcome, and it is the constitutional route to redress the situation. But even before he has appeared before the Senate, Corona has already suffered the ultimate rebuke: distrust by the people. He should resign now.

—NOAME RAGILES,

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