Salceda, other officials say guilty verdict on CJ Corona just and fair

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, May 31 (PIA) -- The 20 senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona have rendered a just verdict, according to legal luminaries here, including public elected officials.

Albay governor Joe Salceda said, "The guilty verdict restores the credibility of our institutions and reinforces the workings of democracy. Thus, it brings about immense economic gains in terms of heightened foreign confidence, thus greater FDI’s (Foreign Direct Investments) ODAs (Official Development Assistance) and domestically, as it bolsters governance, it translates to better economic efficiency."

Congressman Alfredo Garbin of the Ako Bikol (AKB) Partylist stated, “The guilty verdict is a reaffirmation that a public office is a public trust and that public officials and employees are accountable to the Filipino people at all times. Public officials should not enrich themselves while holding public office but instead should serve the public with utmost integrity and must live modest lives.”

Congressman Rodel Batocabe, also of the AKB said, “The impeachment court has spoken. The Chief Justice is proven guilty. Our people might have been divided but our nation and its democratic institutions will be strengthened by this experience, let us move forward and heal wounds caused by this bloodletting process.”

Prosecutor Dominador Barrameda meanwhile commented, “It is expected. Chief Justice Corona's admission did it. Impeachment being more political than legal process public sentiments counts."

Lawyer and law professor Mariano Baranda cited “the verdict of guilty is fair and just and based on the law.”

“I agree with the conviction for the reasons cited by those who voted. It’s the right decision,” said retired Regional Trial Court Judge Dong Candolea.

Lawyer Arnaldo Espinas said, "The impeachment proceedings were far to both sides and with that perception it would be easy to accept the verdict of the senator judges.”

Beverly Baranda, a law graduate said, "I believe CJ Corona deserves a guilty verdict, his credibility, integrity and probity are already doubtful and not befitting the position of Chief Justice. The senator-judge that convicted him did well and explained their votes well.

A total of 20 senator-judges voted for a guilty verdict after they found that CJ Corona had culpably violated the Constitution and Ethical Standard of a Government Official by deliberately failing to disclose all his assets in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Networth.

Only senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. voted for the Chief Justice Corona's acquittal. (MAL/MSA-PIA5 Albay)