Palace responds to Corona Speech

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang responded to the speech given by Chief Justice Renato Corona outside the Supreme Court this morning calling it “a desperate ploy to deflect attention from the subject at hand: himself.”

Corona had alluded to the President in his speech, saying that he considered Corona as a hindrance to the distribution of land to Hacienda Luisita farmers.

“Malaki akong hadlang sa mga nagnanais na hindi matuloy ang pamamahagi ng lupain sa mga magsasaka sa Hacienda Luisita. Malaki din akong hadlang sa isang nagmamagaling na gustong maging Bise Presidente pero talo noong 2010, at wag na tayong lumayo, at malaki din akong hadlang sa isang matagal nang nag-aambisyong maging Chief Justice.” (I am a big obstacle to those opposing the distribution of land to the farmers of Hacienda Luisita. I am also an obstacle to someone who dared to run for vice president but who lost in 2010. And let us not look too far away, I am also an obstacle to someone with ambitions to be Chief Justice.)

Malacañang responded saying, “Mr. Corona’s conspiracy theory ignores reality and plain facts. The Department of Agrarian Reform has categorically stated that the administration has pushed for, and argued, before the Supreme Court, the distribution of land to tenants in Hacienda Luisita. His other allegations, concerning the President’s running mate and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, go beyond being merely undignified — they are slanderous attacks for the purpose of deflecting attention. No Chief Justice has ever demeaned himself by the gutter language he used this morning.”

Transportation and Communication Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who Corona had also alluded to, meanwhile, asked that the Chief Justice focus on his trial instead of “concocting fairy tales of conspiracy.”

The Palace called on the people “to follow the proceedings, as the Senate conducts its duty to hear and weigh the evidence,” adding that “the truth will set the judiciary free.” – Rappler.com