Press Release
December 13, 2011

Statement of Sen. Frank Drilon on the suggestion that he inhibits himself from the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona:

I do not see any basis nor justification to the suggestion that I inhibit myself from participating as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Records will show that I have never called for Corona's impeachment or resignation as a member of the Supreme Court.

I only issued an appeal that he inhibits himself from participating in Supreme Court cases involving Ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo due to public perceptions of partiality as he once served as her chief of staff and spokesperson.

My appeal was anchored on my desire to maintain the integrity of the Supreme Court. I have not prejudged Chief Justice Corona on any of the eight charges now being brought against him in this impeachment case.

While this impeachment trial soon assumes the nature of a political exercise, I can assure the Filipino people that as a lawyer and public servant, I shall base my judgments and decisions as a senator-judge on the strengths or weaknesses of the evidence presented.

The standard of a cold neutrality of a judge in a court of law is not required of a senator sitting in an impeachment court. The rules provide that "Senators shall observe political neutrality during the course of the impeachment trial. 'Political neutrality' shall be defined as the exercise of a public official's duty without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference."

Again, my only interest here is the preservation and strengthening of our democratic institutions.

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