InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines - Non-government organizations, public officials, and legal experts welcomed the Senate's decision to convict Chief Justice Corona, hoping that the verdict will be the start of improved transparency and accountability in public service.
"The conviction of Chief Justice Corona should usher in a long longed for era of transparency and accountability in our political system. We are redeeming ourselves in the eyes of the world as a result of the impeachment trial," said lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos of the EcoWaste Coalition and the Philippine Earth Justice Center.
"We are saying enough of the culture of impunity! Hopefully, the rule of law will begin to flourish in our country, and with that, the no-nonsense enforcement of our world-class but largely unimplemented environmental laws," added Estenzo-Ramos.
For its part, the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said that accountabillity of public officials should not end with Corona's conviction.
"While we welcome the decision of the Senate to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, we believe that the fight for true accountability in government has a long way to go. It does not end with Corona's conviction," said Bayan in a statement.
"It still remains to be seen if the end of this process will even lead to the accountability of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other officials guilty of plunder and gross human rights violations," Bayan added.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said: "It 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 ODAs, and domestically , as it bolsters governance, it translates to better economic efficiency."
Rep. Alfredo Garbin: “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.”
Rep. Rodel Batocabe 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: “ It is expected , Chief Justice Corona admission did it. Impeachment being more political than legal process public sentiments counts. ”
Lawyer and law professor Mariano Baranda, “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. ”
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