Guilty Beyond My Reasonable Doubt By: Jeremiah Eleazer G. Sotto IR 356 Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap!

! This was then Sen. Noynoy Aquinos battlecry during his presidential campaign. He promised the Filipino nation that he will bring justice to those who abused their powers during their terms of public office, especially his predecessor now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Now that he is our PNoy, the legal steps of fulfilling this promise would change the usual color of campaign promises. The arrest of former president Rep. Gloria Arroyo because of election sabotage brought noise to the whole nation and even to the international community. The impeachment of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the land is next in being watched out for. According to the articles of impeachment filed by Reps. Niel C. Tupas, Jr. et al., the action for impeachment was because of Betrayal of Public Trust, Culpable Violation of the Constitution, and Graft and Corruption. Political thinkers would summarize these into one he was a midnight appointee. I searched for Chief Justice Coronas Christmas speech for the Supreme Court officials and employees for his defense. Before the cheering supporters, he bravely laid down his allegations against the articles of impeachment. He started off by saying he was surprised by the swift filing of the articles of impeachment against him, and doubted that all one hundred and eighty-eight signatories were able to read, comprehend, and firmly stood on their decision the eighty four-page articles of impeachment. He also pinpointed at President Aquino in wanting to have a Supreme Court that would follow his dictates, thus becoming him a dictator. Moreover, he argues that the impeachment was because of personal reasons and previous decisions made by the Supreme Court. His defense continued. On the accusation of his disapproval of showing his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, Corona defended himself by claiming that it was annually continuously submitted document. The accusation was a lie and of no basis. Next is him being a midnight appointee. He claimed that his appointment underwent thorough legal process based on the Constitution. I wonder if the constitution that he pertained to is the same Constitution of the land. Section 15 of Article 07 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippine states that, Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety. It is clear cut that appointments allowed only two months immediately before the next presidential elections are temporary appointments in the Executive Branch. I am pro the impeachment. The sole basis of him being a midnight appointee of Former President Arroyo is a strong case against him. The Constitution states it very clearly. There are only two sides of this case. If one is inclined in politics, he would

understand the case as constitutional. If he is more on the charismatic side, he would ravage in anger concluding that all of these are because of the revenge of President Aquino against the former administration. The Chief Justices speech before the Supreme Court only entails his supporters to support him until the last battle day. His words are sounded like uttered by an ordinary man, not from someone who obtained a Masters Degree in Law from Harvard University, and a doctorate degree from University of Santo Tomas, summa cum laude. He argued that the impeachment trial was filed for President Aquino to appoint his chosen Chief Justice. He said the answer to this one already. The process will undergo thorough study. And if the decision of President Aquino would greatly influence the appointment, it would be a rightful coincidence for him because when he became President, the Chief Justice had just retired few months earlier. If he interprets the very Constitution of the land rightfully, he should have not accepted the appointment. If he dearly loved the country and the quest for social justice, he should have disapproved. The current credibility of the Supreme Court now is on its lowest stature because of the presence of a Chief Justice that was appointed unconstitutionally and pretends that his appointment was of no blemish. The Supreme Court should be the number one protector and rightful interpreter of the Constitution. The appointment of the Chief Justice is a direct violation of the constitution. Where is the credibility now? If the Chief Justice himself can have a boosted morale being a midnight appointee or violating a provision of the Constitution, so can the other justices be. A layman can argue this way. Coronas argument of President Aquinos action as destroying the credibility of the Supreme Court, the truth is a contradiction. If the impeachment will come to success, it will bring forth the true credibility a Supreme Court must have the true protector and rightful interpreter of the Constitution. This impeachment will undoubtedly affect the economy of our country. During the impeachment trial, investors may pull out their investments because of the political instability happening in our country. They may lose confidence on our government, and would make them walk on eggshells. This would affect the Foreign Direct Investments of our country and the amount of money coming in our system. Intermediate effects might include price rise and lesser investments in our country. However, in the long run, the success of this impeachment trial would give an impression of a highly credible and very stable political situation in our country. The first reaction of the economy will reverse to the opposite side. The political stability of a nation directly affects the investments of foreigners in our country. The success of the impeachment would not just be a success in the part of the Congressman-Prosecutors, but also an enlightenment point in the economy. This impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona would be an eye-opening for the Filipinos of the real illegalities and cruelties the past administration has done. With much fervent hopes, may the Senator-judges do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines as what was stated in their oath. I would end this by quoting Conrado de Quiros, The people will know. The people will decide. What do I know? He is guilty beyond my reasonable doubt.