The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) called for a fair hearing as Senate convened today to start the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Corona.
As this is the first time in the country that an impeachment case is brought against the Chief Justice, the group said the trial must be an opportunity for the country to live up to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
“Whether one is on the side of Chief Justice Renato Corona or on the side of the House Prosecution Panel, it cannot be denied that this trial is a process geared towards the realization of the Constitution’s Preamble which aims ‘to secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace’,” the group noted.
CEAP called the attention of the House Prosecution Panel, the Chief Justice and the Senate serving as a Trial Court not to stray from the oath they took.
They must take this opportunity to use the machinery provided for in the Constitution whereby we, as a nation, can ensure that impeachable public officials are doing what they ought to, the Catholic group said.
This process, they continued to explain, is provided for in the Constitution in Section 2 of Article XII which states in part that members of the Supreme Court may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.
“After all, they swore to uphold the constitution which states ‘Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives’.”
CEAP also encouraged those involved to act in the interest of the law, the spirit of the Constitution, justice and democracy.
“They must not be bogged down by technicalities but instead strive to get to the truth as regards the eight articles of impeachment,” the group said.
“While impeachment is a political exercise, they must be governed by legal principles and at all times, uphold the rule of law,” it further said. (Jandel Posion)
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