Guingona: No term-sharing offer to Corona

MANILA, Philippines – Senator-judge Teofisto Guingona III denies allegations that he offered Chief Justice Renato Corona a term-sharing deal with Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

Guingona reacted to an interview of Corona with radio DWIZ. According to the Chief Justice, the senator asked him if he could retire early so that Carpio can take his place.

Corona said the issue was discussed in a meeting with Guingona last year. Corona said he turned down the offer as he was appointed to a fixed term lasting until 2018.

In an interview on ANC, Guingona said Corona’s claims were untrue and baseless. Guingona is a member of the Liberal Party and an ally of President Benigno Aquino III.

“We did have a lunch with the Chief Justice in my father’s house last July 22 last year but it was purely a social event and nothing of that sort ever came up,” he said. “It’s totally untrue and baseless, not even in passing [did I ask that].”

Guingona explained that Corona visited the house of his father, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. The elder Guingona and Corona worked together during the Ramos administration.

Last month, Corona accused Guingona and other Aquino allies of bias. In a supplemental petition filed before the Supreme Court, Corona said Guingona, and Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Alan Peter Cayetano, Ralph Recto and Sergio Osmeña III aided the prosecution.

Guingona, however, dismissed the charge and said he is only after the truth. – Rappler.com