By GENALYN D. KABILING
MANILA, Philippines --- Malacañang on Tuesday lauded the landmark conviction of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona for failure to disclose his true wealth, saying it has strengthened the country's democratic institutions and helped restored public confidence in the judiciary.
Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte acknowledged that Corona was just a “public face of the things that ail of the judiciary system.”
“This afternoon, 20 senators voted to convict Mr. Renato C. Corona on Article II of the Articles of Impeachment. Our democratic institutions have been strengthened and have been proven to work,” Valte said in a Palace press conference.
“Let us never forget that those who come to court, be they rich or poor, must do so in the expectation of receiving impartial justice from those who uphold both the spirit and the letter of the law. The verdict of the Senate is a step forward in terms of restoring public confidence in our courts, and trust in the members of the judiciary,” he added.
Valte said President Aquino was unable to watch the entire impeachment trial since he was busy meeting with other cabinet members. Aquino is expected to issue a formal statement on the conviction of Corona on Wednesday.
With the removal of Corona from the SC, Valte said the President has 90 days to appoint a new Chief Justice based on the Constitution. She said the President will wait for the shortlist of nominees that will be submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).
“The position will be vacant because the decision of the Senate impeachment court is immediately executory," she said.
Valte said the most senior associate justice will be the officer-in-charge of the Supreme Court until a permanent replacement is appointed.
MANILA, Philippines --- Malacañang on Tuesday lauded the landmark conviction of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona for failure to disclose his true wealth, saying it has strengthened the country's democratic institutions and helped restored public confidence in the judiciary.
Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte acknowledged that Corona was just a “public face of the things that ail of the judiciary system.”
“This afternoon, 20 senators voted to convict Mr. Renato C. Corona on Article II of the Articles of Impeachment. Our democratic institutions have been strengthened and have been proven to work,” Valte said in a Palace press conference.
“Let us never forget that those who come to court, be they rich or poor, must do so in the expectation of receiving impartial justice from those who uphold both the spirit and the letter of the law. The verdict of the Senate is a step forward in terms of restoring public confidence in our courts, and trust in the members of the judiciary,” he added.
Valte said President Aquino was unable to watch the entire impeachment trial since he was busy meeting with other cabinet members. Aquino is expected to issue a formal statement on the conviction of Corona on Wednesday.
With the removal of Corona from the SC, Valte said the President has 90 days to appoint a new Chief Justice based on the Constitution. She said the President will wait for the shortlist of nominees that will be submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).
“The position will be vacant because the decision of the Senate impeachment court is immediately executory," she said.
Valte said the most senior associate justice will be the officer-in-charge of the Supreme Court until a permanent replacement is appointed.
