ALL judges in Pangasinan and court employees have expressed support for Chief Justice Renato Corona who is facing an impeachment trial before the Senate early next year based on the impeachment complaint signed by 188 members of the House of Representatives.

Regional Trial Court Judge Ulysses Raciles Butuyan of Branch 51 in Tayug, president of the Pangasinan Judges Association (PJA), told the Media in Action forum of the Pangasinan Press Club Friday morning that the chapter’s members are squarely behind the embattled chief justice.

“I’m very, very sure that we are more solid than ever. In fact, not only the members of the judiciary have thrown their support to CJ Corona   but also all the people who love democracy,” Butuyan said.

Butuyan premised his claim on the teaching in law school that the separation of powers among the executive, legislative and the judiciary has been stressed and that each branch of government is independent from the others.

“For any other department to openly criticize a judgment by the Supreme Court and use it as a ground for impeachment, that would be an attack or an insult upon the principle of separation of powers and the integrity of the judiciary,” he said.

He made a dig on some members of Congress who, he said, hastily signed the impeachment complaint without even reading the content.

“I say that for a guy to sign a complaint without knowing what the complaint is, is not only ignorant but is even guilty of succumbing to grave coercion if it is true that pork barrels were promised them,” he said.

EMPLOYEES

Meanwhile, Atty. Danilo Fernandez, RTC clerk of court, said employees are supporting the chief justice, especially because the issue involves the independence of the judiciary from the executive branch as well as the legislative branch.

Last Tuesday, court employees around the province, in expression of their support to Corona, wore black as a symbol of grief as the constitutional independence of the judiciary is under attack.

Butuyan, however, admitted he did not notice the black dress code but said he saw “the blue in the heart and minds of court personnel”.

“It was never a holiday because we worked that day but at the same time the atmosphere there (court offices) was gloomy,” he said.

Butuyan also fended off charges that the Supreme Court is biased by saying that the Constitution mandates every judge or magistrate to decide not on the basis of the dictates of another but by his wisdom, courage and propriety and this is done with utmost integrity and expertise.

He also called for calm and advised the people, especially non-lawyers, not to  jump into conclusion and assume that Corona is already guilty as charged, adding that probable cause is not a proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

“Let us not convict a person just because a complaint has been filed. Rather, let us wait for proper judgment by proper authorities,” he said.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments