The Corona Impeachment Trial: Aquino speech ‘disturbed’ justices, judges

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MANILA, Philippines—Justices of the Supreme Court and some members of the judiciary were disturbed by the speech of President Aquino that took a jab at the Supreme Court, particularly Chief Justice Renato Corona, according to the SC spokesman.

Jose Midas Marquez, who is also court administrator, said, “It is not at all unusual for the executive branch to disagree with the judicial branch but what is considerably unusual is for the Chief Executive (Aquino) to look down on members of the judiciary in public…as the Chief Justice sat speechless, motionless and expressionless because of the requirements of protocol.”

Aquino, at the first National Criminal Justice Summit held at the Manila Hotel on Monday, criticized the controversial decisions made under the Corona-led High Court, including the junking of the Truth Commission he created to investigate the alleged corruption in the Arroyo administration.

The High Court spokesman said he talked to some Supreme Court justices and justices of the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan and other judges of the third-level courts in his capacity as court administrator and that they thought the President’s tirade was made at the wrong forum.