“The conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona gives me another reason to be proud to be a Filipino. Corona’s reasoning that he didn’t find it necessary to include his dollar accounts and commingled accounts in his SALN is unbecoming of a chief justice. I believe a chief justice must not only abide by the letter of the law but also the spirit of the law. I am optimistic that his conviction will pave way for a better Philippines by pushing for a transparent government.”
Leana Gabrielle Pangilinan, II AB Comm
“The entire impeachment process and Corona’s conviction enabled people to talk, ponder and reflect. I am not judging ex-CJ Corona, but how the entire process turned out. In the course of choosing the next chief justices, he or she should have the highest standards of integrity and morality. In that way, he or she can faithfully portray the meaning behind the blindfolded lady holding a weighing scale.”
Dana Buñag, Office of Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI) Student Affairs Professional
“As per my personal opinion, I am not convinced with the verdict. I’m not pro-Corona per se, but I’m pro-justice and pro-due process. I don’t think the trial is as fair as it can get. By taking out [those insufficiencies], like the lack of due process, there could have been many possibilities affecting both the trial and the verdict. Stronger evidences could have been found and better arguments could have been presented from both parties. The verdict might have been different, too. If the Philippines or the CJ or the senator-judges can still afford to review the processes made that led to the conviction, I think we should do it.”
Raiza Macaraeg, IV AB Comm
“The impeachment trial of the chief justice of our Supreme Court was far from perfect. Nevertheless, it demonstrated that we have mechanisms to ensure that our public officials, especially those in the highest positions, are not untouchable but accountable to the people. For me, the verdict should remind public officials of their role as public servants and their office as a public trust. Consequently, it should also embolden Filipinos to demand accountability. It is my hope that this experience in our history sparks some positive change in people’s attitudes and behaviors.”
Atty. Lia Banzon-Librojo, Psychology Department Instructor
“He should have been acquitted because the SALN law, as repeated over and over again, can be changed any time after filing. I do not see the error of Corona’s SALN as grounds for impeachment, let alone grounds for assumption of corruption. The impeachment trial in itself is a show of force of the so-called masses—those who are easily swayed by the media, and of the political oligarchs. The aim was commendable, yes, but the means and the grounds are not. It’s just that we are only replacing a deposed dictator with another in the guise of democracy.”
Jose Raphael Limiac, III AB PoS/MPM
“Actually hindi ko siya nabalitaan pero… siguro okay lang siguro ‘yun. Kasi may mga ebidensiya naman. Siyempre bilang defense ni Corona, ipagtatanggol niya sarili niya. So since napatunayan na nagkasala siya sa batas, kailangan na ma-impeach siya.”
Ulycis Sadia, Security Guard
