Corona wife hits gov’t machinery during eulogy for late SC chief

Four years after her husband's ouster, Cristina Corona, widow of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, on Thursday hit back at the government for "unconstitutionally" unseating him.

During the eulogy at the Supreme Court, Cristina lamented how her husband became the "first casualty" of what she called the "war on judicial independence" that began when he was impeached in 2011 and continued until his removal in May the following year.

"It has been five years since the war on judicial independence. Yes, I do not hesitate to call it that. The impeachment was attended by armed attacks on this stalwart institution, the last bastion of democracy," she said in her eulogy.

"Instead of guns and bombs, overwhelming government machinery and influence were used; tools which were in a way deadlier and far more effective than traditional weapons of war because of their heightened ability to permeate not just the physical bodies of the conbatants, but the latter's hearts and minds," she added.

Cristina said the impeachment of her husband was "to a large extent, a fight for the Filipino psyche" and that he was at the frontline.

Cristina said despite the attacks on her husband and the judiciary, "the Corona court strove to lead a battalion of staunch and unwavering defenders of truth judicial soldiers and heroes through and through."

In his 10 years in the high tribunal, two years of which he spent as chief justice, Corona, according to Cristina, made it a point to protect the judiciary's independence.

"(He had) a desire to shield it from any and all attempts to curtail the ability, nay the duty, of the court to dispense justice with utmost independence, integrity, impartiality, propriety, competence and diligence," she said.

She said the Corona court promulgated decisions based on fact and law, "despite earning the ire of the most powerful of enemies."

It was the Corona court that ordered in November 2011 the distribution to farmer-tenants of the Hacienda Luisita, which is owned by the clan of President Benigno Aquino III.

CJ Corona had repeatedly insisted that it was this decision that fuelled the Aquino administration's alleged desire to unseat him.

Remember CJ Corona

Cristina, who was accompanied during the service by their three children Carla, Francis, Cherie, warned critics of the judiciary that the "war" is far from over.

"Each time an attempt, both continued and new, is made on the strength, integrity, and independence of this great institution, remember CJ Corona. Remember his legacy and its ultimate goal," she said.

"In the name of the Filipino people and of the truest meaning of a democratic state continue the fight for the judiciary: Continue the fight for judicial independence," she added.

For his part, Associate Justice Arturo Brion lamented how the former chief justice was removed "in the worst possible way... and carpet bombed with the worst accusation."

Brion also revealed that prior to his impeachment, Corona had already been hearing rumors of moves to unseat him but "he was not sure of the grounds."

Despite the threat of an impeachment, Brion said Corona told him that "to surrender is not the choice... and that independence too is not solely mine to give away."

"In the end, he paid dearly for his cherished values. He suffered with utmost dignity," added Brion.

Corona's daughter Cherie later told reporters that their family has already moved on and forgiven those who had wronged them.

"As daddy always said 'forgive, forgive.' Sa kanya po nanggaling iyon. Even after, he said, 'We have to forgive. Vengeance is not ours, it's God's. So we just move on and be at peace," she said.

May polls

In light of the upcoming May 9 elections, Cristina appealed to voters to choose the next set of leaders that would defend democracy, judicial independence, and Philippine institutions.

"In just four days, elections for the nation's leadership are set to be held. The fate of our country and the future of democracy lie in our hands," she said.

"Choose he or she who shall uphold and defend Philippine democracy and our democratic institutions and not those who wittingly or unwittingly, shall destroy its institution," Cristina added.

Acting Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro also spoke about the elections when she eulogized Corona, who she described as an "inspiring person to work with, soft-spoken and never absent."

De Castro said now that Corona has "a direct line to God, please add to your prayers that our countrymen may choose wisely in the elections." 

Necrological rites

Corona's remains were brought to the Supreme Court in Manila on Thursday morning from The Heritage Park were they had been lying in state since Saturday.

De Castro officially recieved the Coronas for the necrological services because the three most senior justices, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Presbitero Velasco Jr, were all on leave.

SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te, however, said that Sereno had already paid the Coronas a visit at the Heirtage Park on Tuesday night and that she was "graciously received" by the family. — RSJ, GMA News