InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines -- Beleaguered Chief Justice Renato Corona told court employees on Friday that his impeachment trial was a “fight for the independence of the Supreme Court.”
Speaking at the 15th Philippine Court Employees National Convention in Puerto Princesa City, Corona again traced his and his family’s “persecution” to the Supreme Court’s decision to distribute Hacienda Luisita, the vast Tarlac sugar estate owned by the Cojuangco clan, to which President Benigno Aquino III belongs.
The impeachment trial of Corona, who is accused of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, resumed this week after Congress resumed session.
Corona had been requested to address the convention as a show of support from the court employees.
Philippine Association of Court Employees President Virginia Rafael assured Corona, "Sa judiciary, walang iwanan magpakailanman (In the judiciary, we never leave anyone behind)."
"Tayong lahat ay nanunungkulan sa hudikatura hindi para magpasikat, kundi ipagtanggol ang saligang batas (All of use serve in the judiciary not for fame, but to uphold the Constitution)," Corona said.
But he added: "Ibang usapan na pag ang kalayaan ng hudikatura ang nasa panganib (It is a different matter if the independence of the judiciary is in danger)."
He also accused the government of squeezing the budget of the high court.
“We will fight for the independence of the Supreme Court,” Corona vowed.
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