CHIEF Justice Renato Corona accused Malacañang of pressing him to either resign or opt for early retirement.

In a statement, Corona said a Palace emissary, whom he refused to identify, told him "to save the entire judiciary from the danger that it might undergo and to spare other justices, judges, court officials and employees from uncertainties.”

“More importantly, I was told that anyway all the baseless allegations peddled to the public could easily be forgotten,” the chief justice said.

“Surrender would be in the form of resignation or early retirement. I was told that I had already served as Chief Justice for one-and-a-half years and that my service as the 23rd top magistrate would always be part of this nation’s history,” he added.

But the chief justice said he rejected the proposal.

He said surrendering would mean “destruction of the ideals set forth by the Constitution that calls for a constitutional democracy where the separation of powers, judicial independence and the rule of law  reign.”

The head magistrate said he has been guided by lessons of the Holocaust and the World War II, particularly the statement of former President of the Supreme Court of Israel, Aharon Barak, which stressed “a need to have a strong judiciary to fight for democracy.”

Corona issued the statement after President Benigno Aquino again blasted him and the entire judiciary during the recent commencement exercises of Centro Escolar University (CEU) despite his promise last month not to comment on the Corona case during the break in the impeachment trial which resumes when Congress reopens in May.

Last month, the chief justice revealed the supposed offer from Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III of “term-sharing” with Senior Justice Antonio Carpio.

He also alleged that another senator allied with the administration had likewise sent an emissary to convince him to resign. Sources said he was referring to Sen. Franklin Drilon, who has been criticized for showing his bias in the trial against Corona by allegedly aiding House prosecutors during proceedings.     

Maceda scored

Malacañang meanwhile slammed former Senate President Ernesto Maceda for equating the acquittal of Corona to a vote for Vice President Jejomar Binay in the presidential contest in 2016.

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte doubted that Maceda’s position is the same as Binay’s on the outcome of the impeachment issue.

“Para dito sa sinasabing a vote for Corona is a vote for the Vice President, nakita ko po ‘yung analysis ni former Senator Maceda on that issue….sabi po niya analysis po niya ‘yon. I don’t know if the VP shares the same position kasi malinaw po ang posisyon ng Pangulong Aquino sa impeachment,” Valte said.

For its part, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said the political plans of senators should not dictate their votes in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

In a statement, the OVP said the chief magistrate’s trial is a test of democracy. “It is important that the people see the trial as fair and impartial, and the outcome is respected by all.”

Maceda, a Binay ally, said in a press conference Saturday that a vote for the acquittal of Corona is already a vote of support for Binay.

“This is the Binay factor. If you’re for Binay for president for 2016, you’ll probably vote for acquittal. Why? First of all, if Corona is convicted, that strengthens Noynoy and a stronger Noynoy means stronger support for his [chosen] candidate,” Maceda was quoted as saying.

A Corona acquittal, on the other hand, is the start of the downturn of Aquino’s popularity, in turn affecting his candidate,  Maceda added, referring to transportation chief Mar Roxas.   

With EMontano