MVP: Corona trial ‘momentous’ for Philippines

MANILA, Philippines [UPDATED] – Manuel V. Pangilinan, one of the most influential businessmen in the country, said the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona is a “momentous” event for the country.

“We are awaiting the decision with bated breath. It is momentous for the country,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the annual stockholders meeting of the country’s largest power retailer, Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), on Tuesday, May 29.

“I am confident the judges will do what is good for the country,” he added.

Foreign investors

The decision to convict or acquit Corona must be respected to keep the confidence of international investors, added Pangilinan who regularly meets and works with foreign investors for the telecommunications and energy firms he leads.

“The general sentiment…with respect to the foreign investors, I think…[is that] the decision of the court should be respected. I think they just want to ascertain that the process is fair and objective, and that the decision that the court eventually renders will be fair and objective,” said Pangilinan.

More important than the decision is the process, he added.

Good govenance

“I think every business person will have their own personal sentiment about which way it should go but I keep repeating this myself: if the process is fairly properly and objectively done, it will lead to a decision that will eventually be good for the country.”

He shared his belief that good governance will benefit the country’s democracy. “If you practice well, then you play well in the actual competition,” he added.

Truly Filipino

He added that the experience had been truly Filipino.

“It’s been conducted fairly, properly. There were high points and low points in the course of the hearing. There was drama and more drama in the course of the hearings,” he said.

“It was typical Filipino,” he quipped. – Rappler.com