MANILA, Philippines – Over two years since the impeachment and removal of Renato Corona as chief justice, President Benigno Aquino III slammed the former head of the Supreme Court and used his case as a reminder to lawyers to uphold the rule of law.

Speaking before the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) on Thursday, June 26, Aquino told lawyers that “objectivity was subverted when Mrs. Arroyo appointed then-Chief Justice Corona.”

“The entire nation became a witness to the consequences of this midnight appointment when it became clear that Mr. Corona was in the Supreme Court to protect the interests of the woman who had appointed him,” Aquino said.

“As if his integrity were not already compromised, while in office, Mr. Corona also failed to display the highest integrity demanded of his position when he did not declare over 98% of his assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth [SALN].”

The President mobilized his political party and other allies behind the impeachment and eventual removal from office of Corona, who was named chief justice by Arroyo before Aquino won the 2010 elections – a midnight appointment, as critics described it.

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, eventually found Corona guilty of violating public trust. Opposition Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada however later accused the Aquino administration of using discretionary funds from the government budget as incentive for senators to vote for Corona’s conviction.

The government denied this, but the legality of what has since been known as the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) is now being studied by the Supreme Court , which is expected to issue its verdict next month.

In his speech, Aquino said Corona’s failure to honestly disclose his assets raised questions on his credibility.

“In this case, his actions posed a troubling question: if the truth—or if the law—is changeable, ephemeral, and uncertain, does it redound to anyone’s benefit? In these instances, Mr. Corona had already failed the very people he had sworn to serve and the law he had sworn to uphold,” Aquino said.

The President also talked about the “judicial flip-flopping in cases” of the Supreme Court under Corona.

Ninoy, too

Aquino also cited the unjust trial that his father, former senator Benigno Aquino Jr, was subjected to under the Marcos dictatorship. It’s yet another example of how the law had failed, he said.

“Whether as lawyers today, or as judges and justices, each time you make a decision that redounds to the benefit of all—each time you choose the straight path, you are not only living up to the oath you swore when you were admitted to the Bar, you are also and more importantly helping to build a more just, a more fair society,” he said.

“Whether or not you are a member of the PBA, whatever your alma mater or area of practice, this is what must unite all those in the legal profession: a firm resolve to uphold both the spirit and the letter of the law, towards serving your fellowmen.” – Rappler.com