LEADERS from the Bicol region headed by Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymond “LRay” Villafuerte are up in arms against the possible grant of an injunction to the ongoing impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“Kung gustong patunayan ni Chief Justice na wala siya ni bahid ng kurapsyon, huwag niyang hadlangan ang impeachment trial at payagang suriin ang dapat suriin,” (If the Chief Justice is earnest in proving that he has no taint of corruption, he should not impede the impeachment trial and allow the examination of those documents that need to be scrutinized) Villafuerte said in a statement.

Villafuerte made the statement as the SC, which Corona heads, raffled off a separate petition from his legal counsels seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against further proceedings in the Senate acting as an impeachment court.

The petition ended up in the sala of Associate Justice Martin Villarama. It is separate from at least five other petitions pending before the SC, all asking the high court to issue a TRO on the impeachment trial.

Villafuerte further averred that his call for the continuation of the trial and for the SC not to entertain the petitions is also supported by other Bicol leaders, namely: Gov. Edgardo Tallado of Camarines Norte, Gov. Raul Lee of Sorsogon, Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete of Masbate and Gov. Joseph Cua of Catanduanes.

He also squelched loose talks that after 20 hearing days, the public is already “tired” of following the impeachment trial.

“The people are very much interested in this trial, contrary to what other quarters are saying. The people wants answer to a very simple question: Does CJ Corona deserves to remain in his post?”

“Despite the many legal technicalities and complexities involved in the proceedings, there is only one major question that needs to be answered: “Can we still trust (Corona) as chief justice,” Villafuerte said.