Corona’s judicial conduct still the top issue


    Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” R. Tañada III said today that “notwithstanding the incident on Day 22 of the impeachment trial, the contentious issue of Article 3 remains, that a simple letter to CJ (Corona) can recall a decision with finality.”
   “Going beyond lip service on the allegation of judicial conduct to maintain competence, probity, independence, and integrity, I wonder aloud how a simple letter can effect the whole character of CJ Corona,” Tañada said.
    “Dahil ba ang letter na ito ay may kasabay na platinum card?  may kasamang Mabuhay miles for CJ and the wife? Paano maaalis sa isipan ng taumbayan na magduda sa katapatan, kakayahan, kasarinlan, at katapatan ni CJ gayung direkta siyang tumanggap at nakinabang ng bigay ng isang talunan sa kaso, at binaligtad pa ang desisyong pinal,” Tañada further said.
    Tanada stressed that “given that a prosecution witness was not allowed to testify, the impeachment process must be pulled back from the rim of distractions to its real focus – the chief justice and the issues on his competence, integrity, probity, and independence.”
    “Anything that is connected with establishing that Corona has lost, compromised, or even forsaken his competence, integrity, probity and independence is fodder for his guilt and his conviction,” Tañada said.