Palace hints no ceasefire with Corona during Christmas week

While it claimed its focus now is on the victims of a storm that ravaged parts of Mindanao, Malacañang on Saturday hinted there will be no ceasefire in its war with impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.   Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Palace, whose spokesman said Friday it will welcome Corona’s resignation before his trial starts, will continue to “answer” questions on the issue.   “As far as we are concerned, we cannot allow ourselves not to answer any questions. We have always been of the position we will answer and defend any allegations thrown at the president,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio, when asked about the chances of a ceasefire with Corona and his camp this coming week.   On Friday, Corona stopped commenting on the issue, supposedly on the advice of his lawyers. Corona also met on Friday with new Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle.   But in Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Palace would welcome Corona’s resignation before his trial at the Senate starts in January.   “Since the goal of the impeachment is removal, and if he should decide to voluntarily resign on his own, and in the same manner that we welcomed the resignation of the former Ombudsman (Merceditas) Gutierrez, certainly that is something that we will welcome,” Lacierda said at a press briefing Friday.   But for now, Valte said the Palace’s focus is on helping victims of tropical storm Sendong, which left at least 20 people dead in Mindanao.   Valte said President Benigno Aquino III ordered assistance especially for residents of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro Cities. — LBG, GMA News