News Update PNoy open to dialogue with Corona

President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said he is open to the proposed dialogue between him and Chief Justice Renato Corona, who has been on the receiving end of his criticisms lately. “Of course," Aquino said at a press briefing in Malacañang when asked if he would be open to take up the offer of Catholic bishops to broker the dialogue. Like Aquino, Corona would most likely be open to a dialogue with the president, according to Court Administrator Midas Marquez, the Supreme Court spokesman. "I would like to think that the Chief Justice will make himself available if and when there is really an invitation," Marquez said. "Wala naman kaming nakikitang gusot. The court will continue to decide according to the Constitution. There may be expressions of disagreement but that's all about it." Not picking a fight Aqiuno also said he is not picking a fight with the judiciary, but just voicing out his opposition to some recent rulings of the Supreme Court that he said were hindering his administration’s ability to govern. “I think I’ll ask you to revisit what I said after they (Supreme Court) ruled against the Truth Commission. Hindi kami nang-away nun. All of these decisions na nagi-impact on the executive’s ability to govern, may motions for reconsideration, pero hindi pa rin kami nang-away doon,” Aquino said. The Truth Commission was supposed to investigate the alleged corruption in the Arroyo administration. Its creation, however, did not push through after the high court ruled it as unconstitutional. Aquino said he only made his sentiments about Corona and the Supreme Court known after noticing that the list of “questionable decisions” is becoming longer. “Kapag mahaba-haba na ‘yung listahan, hanggang saan ba ‘yung para bang co-equal kami? Andaming kwestiyonable at tiis na lang nang tiis,” he said. “Hindi ho yata iyon ang nakasaad sa Saligang Batas kaya nga may checks and balances. Kung may palagay kaming mali e dapat namang tutulan,” he added. Aside from declaring the Truth Commission as unconstitutional, the other Supreme Court decisions that Aquino found questionable were the redistricting of Camarines Sur, the flip-flopping on the status of Dinagat Island as a province, and issuance of temporary restraining order on the watch list order against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is facing electoral sabotage charges. Leading to impeachment? Asked if he, with his strong statements, is already laying the grounds for the impeachment of Corona and other justices, the President said he is just asking questions. “Pwede ba sabihin ko na lang na nag-umpisa ako sa mga tanong? At medyo parami nang parami itong mga tanong na tila walang katugunan o walang sagot,” he said. Asked if he would support moves for the impeachment of Corona, Aquino said: “I do not tell you my plans or anybody else. Basta I think, at this point in time, it is important na these questions should be propounded and that’s the only thing I did.” An official of the ruling Liberal Party, which Aquino chairs, said on Tuesday that as of the moment, there are no plans to initiate impeachment moves against Corona. At the same press briefing, Aquino reiterated his wish for Mrs. Arroyo to tell everything about the anomalies during her term. “Hope springs eternal nga, baka naman mapaglingkuran niya ang taumbayan at isaad sa amin kung ano ang nangyari doon sa siyam at kalahating taon siyang nanungkulan,” he said. Earlier during his speech at the awarding of the 2011 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards, Aquino said his administration will continue running after those who wronged the Filipino people. “Kapag may ginawa kang mali, kailangang managot ka. Hindi po natin hahayaang basta na lang lumayas at makatakas sa batas ang umaagrabyado sa mga Pilipino. Mayaman ka man o mahirap, nasa katungkulan ka man o pang-karaniwang mamamayan, kailangang mangibabaw ang batas sa tuwid na daan,” Aquino said. Present during the event were Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Court Administrator and SC spokesperson Jose Midas Marquez. “Handa po tayong makipagtuos kahit kanino dahil alam kong nasa likod ko ang sambayanan sa paghahangad ng katotohanan, sa pagnanais na parusahan ang mga nagkasala at sa pangingibabaw ng katarungan sa ating bayan,” Aquino added. — Amita O. Legaspi and Mark D. Merueñas/KBK