Justice Antonio Carpio denies involvement in Corona ouster

Acting Chief Justice and CJ nominee Antonio Carpio reassured the Judicial and Bar Council Thursday that he respects the Constitution and that he did not conspire to oust former chief justice Renato Corona.

 

“I was accused as one of those who schemed with President Aquino and Secretary Roxas but I never talked to those people,” Carpio said. “In fact they are saying I will never be appointed because I am not close to the President.”

 

“So hindi po totoong nag-scheme kayo,” JBC panelist and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. asked. “You will know that, as I never talked to you,” Carpio answered to the applause of the audience.

 

Carpio explained that he kept his silence during the impeachment because he did not want to inhibit himself in the cases involving ousted Corona's impeachment. 

 

He also avowed his independence. “If I wanted to be CJ, then I would’ve voted for Chacha,” he said. 

 

“If I misdeclared my SALN to that extent, I will resign,” he also said. 

 

Corona has indirectly accused Carpio of conspiring to take over the top SC post.

 

Answering questions on whether the court was damaged by the impeachment, Carpio said, “You have impeached the Chief Justice—his person, and not the court.” There is no guilt by association, he reiterated. 

 

Will respect Aquino’s decision

 

Carpio told the panel that while he would respect the decision of President Benigno Aquino III should he appoint an outsider, he believed that such a choice would demoralize the judiciary.

 

According to Carpio, the number one problem of the courts is clogged dockets. “We have instituted mediation and judicial dispute resolution. In pre-trial, we can still increase the resolution of cases,” he said. 

 

He also suggested additional training of mediators and judges. As acting CJ and associate justice, he said he has implemented a few things with some measure of success. “We have also experimented with trial procedures where in lieu of direct testimony, you have affidavits,” he said.

 

'The law in its purest form'

 

Carpio also said that despite the impeachment, he finds the law beautiful. “I find the law in SC the best law that I can find. Here, you apply the law in its purest form,” he said.

 

If appointed, Carpio said he will continue to remain impartial to everybody. “I have inhibited in all cases of my former law office,” he said. “I have been inhibiting until now, and will do so until I retire,” he added. 

 

He also said that he voted for the dismissal of a fraternity brother from the Court of Appeals. “I have never lobbied with any of the justices for anybody. You can ask them. I don't even visit them in their chambers,” he said. –KG/HS, GMA News