The Battle for Renato’s Corona

Today, we make history.

After former President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment trial in 2000-2001 and the it’s-almost-an-impeachment-trial for (Former) Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez last year, another impeachable official is set to be impeach.

This time, in the person of the highest official of the Judiciary Department - the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Renato Corona. This is a battle whether he will keep his corona as the country’s Chief Justice or not. This is the battle for Renato’s crown.

As an impeachment primer, I watched last night’s Cheche Lazaro Presents: Impeachment on ABS-CBN. In that documentary, it featured the history of impeachment trial from former president Joseph Estrada up to the cases against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Estrada was not impeached. Instead, he was forced to step down from the office. Merceditas Gutierrez resigned as Ombudsman before the trial started. And, if things go as planned, this is the first time when we will witness a full impeachment trial.

One of the things that left me a huge question mark on the Chief Justice’s - and probably the whole Supreme Court’s - credibility was when Maritess Vitug, author of the controversial book Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court, divulged items about the dark, hidden parts (and proceedings) in the Supreme Court. (I seriously want a copy of that book but I can’t find any here in the Laguna-Batangas area.)

After watching Cheche Lazaro’s documentary last night, I know only of one thing: It’s possible. Chief Justice Renato Corona may be guilty of the offense hurled against him.

From the flip-flop decisions of the Supreme Court, the seemingly alliance and special favor for Former President Gloria Arroyo, the alleged unexplained wealth, to his controversial last-minute appointment, he has a lot to explain.

I am not saying that he is guilty of the crime. There’s a proper venue to prove (or disprove) that, thanks to our democracy and Constitution - the impeachment court. 

Today, we make history. Today is the first day of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment trial. And these are my personal opinion on the historical trial:

• I hope the Senate and the Senators will be fair enough on this trial. Not only for the filipino people. Not only for Renato corona. But for the truth to come out.
• Unlike the Estrada impeachment trial where Chief Justice Hilario Davide acted as the judge, this time, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile will be the one. It’s gonna be Manong Johnny “Gusto ko Hapy Ka” Enrile! In times like this, we really need an elder, an ancient, a veteran to help us find the truth. I just hope that he will not look like Palpatine/Darth Sidious when he got mad at the hearing for I will surely laugh my ass out (“The Dark Side of The force is strong with you!”).
• During the Estrada trial, one of the most memorable line was Emma Lim’s “Uminom po. Hindi po kinakain yung iced tea” to Estelito Mendoza. I am looking forward to some “light moments” during the trial.
• I am excited for Senator Lito Lapid on the impeachment trial. ‘Nuff said.
• Is it just me or there is really a resemblance between Atty. Estelito Mendoza and former Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas? Is it their forehead? Their hair line? (Not only physically but intelectually. Estelito Mendoza was the brightest defender of Estrada during his trial. and, it may appear that serafin cuevas is Corona’s mightiest super hero on today’s trial.)
• I admire Corona’s coolness earlier at the senate. Despite Prosecutor Niel Tupas’ statement against him, he remain calm. And poker face.
• During the first impeachment trial in the country, Senator Enrile was there. today, he is still here. Will he still be on the third trial if ever?
• If you were aware enough back in 2001 to watch the Estrada trial, you may notice that some of the Senator Judges are still on their seat as a Senator. Or, in some cases, their sons or daughter are present. (Destiny or dynasty?)
• I learned last night that the other term for the Justices of the Supreme Court are the “Gods of Padre Faura”. (If that’s the case, wow! I have a God brod.)

The impeachment trial has started. And there’s more to come.as what I’ve said on Twitter, this is just the season 1 episode 1 of the Corona Drama.

And in the event that the Chief Justice is impeached - or steps down from the office - let us all keep an eye on our President on who he will pick as the next Chief Justice. We do not want an administration who has a sole power/ influence on the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary Departments.

After all, this is for the people of our country.

Let the truth and justice prevail on this impeachment trial.

Viva Filipinas! Vaya con Dios! Padayon!

P.S. I chose the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer because the image includes all of the ingredients on today’s historical trial - The Senator Judges, Chief Justice Renato Corona, the Prosecution Team, and the Defense Team.

Elsewhere:

• Chief Justice on Trial - ABS-CBNnews.com’s page about CJ Corona’s impeachment trial. It includes interactive page on the fast facts, the timeline that lead to the impeachment, and slideshows.
• J4J: Justice for Justice - Interaksyon.com’s special coverage of the impeachment trial.
• Summary of the impeachment complaint versus Chief Justice Corona
• Comic Relief - Know your Senator Judges - Being a Senator. It’s more fun in the Philippines.
• My Twitter Account - I will be posting more impeachment-related stuff here. Please follow me. Yes, I compel you!

Source: inquirer.net

16 January 96 Permalink

Impeachment Blues

This is history. After former President Joseph Ejercito-Estrada’s impeachment trial back in 2000-2001, another impeachable official is set to be impeached. This time, in the person of one of the most hated official in history - Ombudsman Merceditas Gitierrez.

Finally, our Lawmakers have done something right in favor of the people. Please remember that during the last administration, we have never seen this event during the numerous times that an impeachment complaint against former President Gloria Arroyo was filed.

Most impeachment complaints are always pronounced as dead on arrival. No thanks to the witch’s allies at the Camara de Representantes.

And now, at last, the Impeachment will be brought to the Senate. In yesterday’s press conference, Merceditas Gutierrez said that her impeachment was a product of “dark politics”. She may be right considering that the proceedings appeared to be done in a haste and that some of the Congressmen appeared to have a personal motif (revenge perhaps) to impeach (and replace) her.

Dark politics. It appears that some Congressmen conjured a dark mark a la Death Eater to show the power of Lord Voldemort. Okay, never mind this sentence.

Merceditas Gutierrez also said that she has done nothing wrong during her time as an Ombudsman, that she has worked on the controversial cases involving the President and the First Gentleman, and that her conscience was clear.

Really? So what happened to those cases after all these years?

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is now a Congresswoman. Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo is still the same fat guy. While the whistle blowers - Vidal Doble, Sandra Cam, Boy Mayor (who was killed), Jun Lozada - are all suffering the consequences of their action of speaking the truth - poor, unemployed, hiding from death threats, and living a miserable life. Ironic eh?

Dearest Ombudsman, please remember that there are two (2) kinds of sins - the sin of commission and the sin of omission. Wala ka ngang ginawang masama, pero wala ka din namang ginawang mabuti, anong pinagkaiba noon?

The case will be brought to Senate. And soon, we will witness the second impeachment trial in Philippine history.

• I hope the Senate and the Senators will be fair enough on this trial. Not only for the filipino people. Not only for Merceditas Gutierrez. But for the truth to come out.
• Unlike the Estrada impeachment trial where Chief Justice Hilario Davide acted as the judge, this time, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile will be the one. It’s gonna be Manong Johnny “Gusto ko Hapy Ka” Enrile! In times like this, we really need an elder, an ancient, a veteran to help us find the truth. I just hope that he will not look like Palpatine/Darth Sidious when he got mad at the hearing for I will surely laugh my ass out.
• During the Estrada trial, one of the most memorable line was Emma Lim’s “Uminom po. Hindi po kinakain yung iced tea” to Estelito Mendoza. I am looking forward to some “light moments” during the trial.
• I am excited for Senator Lito Lapid on the impeachment trial. ‘Nuff said.
• I hope this will not only lead to the impeachment of Merceditas but for the principal actors of the crime to be punished by the law.

You mad Merci? I don’t think so. You said that you have been expecting this one. Good luck on your trial. And for delicadeza’s sake, will you please step down from your office while you are being tried at the Senate?

Wear peach shirt. Eat peach-graham refrigerator cake. Impeach Merceditas.

I hope this will be a beginning of a new era on Philippine politics and our nation building.

Give us the truth. Give us the justice. Viva Filipinas. Padayon!

Original photo courtesy of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Edited by the author for humor purposes, to connect to the audience, and to pursue creative and artistic excellence. Nuks!

Source: juanrepublic

23 March 120 Permalink

What’s Next? Who’s Next?

In a unanimous (and expected) 212 votes in favor for impeachment (46 are not in favor while the 4 other abstained to vote), the House of Representatives sent the articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

Even with the long and pataasan ng ihi-ish interpullation among the Solons that took place until almost midnight, we’ve seen this one coming especially that the majority in the Congress are against the former Arroyo Regime.

I also expect the Arroyo family (Gloria, Mikey the Security Guard, and Dato) to vote against the impeachment. It’s just funny to see that during the voting, the camera was focused on Gloria (who was busy doing some stuff on her phone), Dato (also busy on his phone), and security guard Mikey (who looks like a haggard, obese security guard).

Okay. Finally, our Lawmakers are doing their job. During the last administration, we have never seen this event during the numerous times that an impeachment complaint against former President Gloria Arroyo was filed.

Pinapatay kasi agad ng mga ka-alyado ng mga Arroyo.

What’s next? In the event that Merceditas is impeached and replaced by a new Ombudsman, I hope that the crimes of the past administration will once again be brought to light.

We must not let the fight of the past whistle blowers die in vain.

Brace yourself witch. You’re next.

The truth will set our country free. Hopefully. But I do not just want the truth to come out. I also want consequences. Game?

But for now, let’s wait for further developments on this case.

I am inviting you to wear peach shirt and to eat peach graham cake in support for the impeachment trial against Merci. Just kidding.

Kitakits sa Senado. Viva Filipinas! Padayon!

Source: juanrepublic

22 March 90 Permalink

No Mercy for Merci (and the Readers)

Most of us knew that the House Committee on Justice have found probable cause to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. And most Filipinos are just okay with the fact that the wheels of impeachment against Merci has started rolling.

Let us just leave it there.

I was doing my daily habit of browsing my mail, news sites, and Twitter timeline, when I came across The Camerawalls’ front man Clementine Castro’s tweet that will eventually also ruin my day.

Merci’s large unflattering photo on the front page of Manila Bulletin today is ruining my breakfast.

I immediately searched the website of the Manila Bulletin and looked for a digital copy of the front page. Lo and behold! Clementine was right. Merci’s photo was indeed unflattering. And creepy.

The photographer who took this front page image must be given a Pulitzer prize in photojournalism for capturing Merceditas in her most glorious image. 

What’s with the face Merci?

I invite you my dearest Tumblr friends, readers, and ninjas to stare at Merceditas Gutierrez’s face - even just for five minutes.

What a perfect way to jump start my Lenten sacrifice.

Friends, aside from praying and doing sacrifices for yourself and your loved ones, let us also pray for our Patria Adorada. Have a blessed Ash Wednesday everyone. Padayon!

Source: mb.com.ph

9 March 46 Permalink