TWO days after eight articles of impeachment were filed against him, Chief Justice Renato Corona yesterday accused President Benigno Aquino III of slowly creating a dictatorship by appointing government officials, including those belonging to the judiciary, who are subservient to his whims.

In a 26-minute speech delivered at the Supreme Court, Corona charged that Aquino wanted him out of the SC so that the Chief Executive can appoint his own chief justice.

While Corona did not name the President’s alleged choice of a new chief justice, sources said Aquino wanted SC Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to succeed Corona.

With the Lower House appearing to be under Aquino’s control already, Corona said his ouster would mean that the President has full control of the legislature and judiciary.

“Isang malaking kasakiman na magkaro’n ng chief justice na kayang diktahan, makukuha sa tingin, at magkakandarapa sa pagsunod sa mga  utos nila,” Corona said.

“Ang gusto ba ni Pangulo ay mag-upo siya ng chief justice na hawak niya sa leeg?” Corona asked the crowd, who simultaneously cried “Yes!”

Employees from the SC, Court of Appeals, and from different regional trial courts had declared a work holiday and went to the high court to show their support to their embattled leader.

Chanting “CJ, CJ, CJ,” the employees vowed to support Corona until the end. At least six SC justices and several trial court judges were seen in the crowd during Corona’s speech.

The court employees’ work holiday started at 1p.m. and ended two hours later, or shortly after Corona’s speech.

Hundreds of judges and employees of the Manila Regional Trial Court and the Metropolitan Trial Courts, walked out of their salas and trooped to the Supreme Court on Padre Faura street yesterday afternoon to protest the impeachment case filed against Corona.        About 500 judges and court employees, most of whom were wearing black, walked out of their salas at past 12 noon and arrived at the Supreme Court around 30 minutes later.                The walkout halted court proceedings at City Hall where Manila Regional Trial courts are housed, particularly on the third, fourth and fifth floors.                Corona reminded Malacañang that the high court is a collegial body which decides cases as a whole even if the justices have their own dissenting opinions.

“Why single me out when the Supreme Court is a collegial body wherein every member has his own voice,” Corona said.

The beleaguered Chief Justice also said that he is in favor of bringing to justice anyone who violated the law “but this should be done in the proper way.”

“Sang ayon po ako na papanagutin ang dapat na managot. Pero dapat ay idaanan sa tamang proseso,” said Corona, who was accused of favoring former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in all cases pending before the SC.

At the same time, Corona declared that he will not resign amid calls for him to step down and spare himself the embarrassment of being ousted through an impeachment trial.

“Hindi ako magbibitiw sa tungkulin,” Corona said.

He said he would face senators in the impeachment trial and answer point by point the charges against him.

“I will face these baseless charges point by point. Handang -handa na ako humarap sa paglilitis,” Corona said.                               


With Itchie Cabayan