Official Statement of Kaya Natin! on the Impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona

 

We, the leaders of the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, support and laud the impeachment of Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona by the House of Representatives.

 

We believe that the Supreme Court, as the highest judicial body of the land, should undoubtedly be independent from any administration, past or present, in order to fulfill its obligations justly and without bias. The long and strong history between Corona and former President now Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gives Filipinos a compelling reason to believe that the Supreme Court led by Corona is still heavily biased for Arroyo. It also did not help that Corona’s appointment as Chief Justice itself was questionable and went against the Constitution as a midnight appointment.

 

The Filipinos deserve a truly independent and trustworthy judicial body that will decide on important cases based on what is legal, constitutional, and right, not on whom the courts are loyal to. We Filipinos have already suffered countless of injustices from biased decisions, and we will no longer remain silent while these people continue to defile our institutions.

 

We refuse to tolerate this poisoning of the Supreme Court. Now, more than ever, there is a need to restore the full trust and confidence of the Filipino people in our high court. We cannot afford to have a court that is highly mistrusted by the people, especially the Supreme Court which is supposed to work for the good of the Filipinos.

 

We call on the Senate of the Philippines, as the trial court for the impeachment case of Chief Justice Corona, to listen to the people whose trust was betrayed by the actions of Corona. We hope that the evidence presented by the Lower House in the articles of impeachment are sufficient to exact accountability from the Chief Justice.

 

We also call on every Filipino in the country to remain vigilant and continue to hold accountable our officials who have likewise betrayed us by putting their own selfish interests above the public good. It is high time that we demand transparency and accountability from our government officials, as we should rightfully do.

 

Finally, we call on all government officials, whether appointed or elected, to be truthful and faithful in our mission to serve the public. Public service is not a business, not a way to make money, but a way to give our countrymen good governance and a better quality of life that every Filipino deserves.

 

Signed:

 

Jesse Robredo, DILG Secretary

Eddie Panlilio, former Governor, Pampanga

Grace Padaca, former Governor, Isabela

Teddy Baguilat, Jr., Representative, Ifugao

Sonia Lorenzo, Executive Director, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines

Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environment Protection

Jeng Reyes, Mayor, Alicia, Isabela

Fermin Mabulo, Provincial Administrator, Camarines Sur

Florante Gerdan, President, Poro Point Development Authority

Roque Verzosa, Jr., Mayor, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur

Mabel Acosta, former Councilor, Davao City

Shirlyn Macasarte, Board Member, North Cotabato

Janaree Disomimba, former Mayor, Tamparan, Lanao del Sur

Gloria Congco, Mayor, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

Marivic Belena, Mayor, San Jose City