Though I want to see Chief Justice Corona convicted, I am
not really happy that the Senator Judges did – 20 to 3.
I cannot rejoice when I know that a man who believes till
the very end that he has done nothing wrong will be from now on branded as the
exact opposite of an honest public official.
I cannot rejoice because a proud family name and reputation
is ruined permanently. This will be a
curse that would be unfairly handed down to even the young Coronas who have
nothing to do with their relative’s shortcoming.
I cannot rejoice because I don’t find joy in spitting on a
beaten man. Everyone has his failure;
everyone has a weakness. Unfortunately
for Corona his position requires an unassailable character to which he was
found lacking.
What I am however is hopeful. Hopeful that the next Chief Justice will
shudder at the thought of having the mantle of unassailability; let this
verdict serve as the sword of Damocles to compel the powers that be to exhibit
the highest standard, and not merely bask in the sheen of the highest title in
the land.
I am hopeful that this will signal a fresh start in the
political landscape where accountability is practiced and not merely discussed,
and dishonesty is considered wrong and should be punished, and not perceived as
the rule which can be tolerated.
I am hopeful that when a politician or a government official
swears to serve the people that he would really do so and not allow his title
to become his battering ram to get what he wants.
I am hopeful that this painful episode in our nation’s
history will heal and leave a scar so that we are forever reminded that we
inflict ourselves harm every time we say that it is alright for our government
officials to blatantly disregard their sworn duties and obligations as public
servants.
Despite everything, I still admire Corona. He faced the impeachment trial courageously, and now that he is convicted, he does not make any appeal or whatsoever to regain his position (though it was said that no appeal will be allowed).
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a piece of your mind glitterglee. I guess courage is a relative word. Indeed he faced the impeachment court, but whether he did so with courage is debatable. And the appeal? It was not allowed because no recourse of that nature exists in the Constitution or any current Philippine laws. The Senate's decision is beyond the review of any court or body, including the Supreme Court. So it's not like not appealing was a heroic or statemanly thing to do, it simply was not an option because it did not exist.
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