Can Noynoy void Coronas appointment as chief justice?
MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party’s Benigno Aquino III, whom partial and unofficial counts show will likely be the next president, has said that he wouldn’t recognize the chief justice that President Arroyo would appoint before her term ends. Now that Mrs. Arroyo actually named a new chief justice–denying her successor the privilege of doing so–can Aquino still void the appointment of Chief Justice Renato Corona? Aquino has maintained that Arroyo’s appointment of a chief justice within the election period is a violation of the Constitution. Article VII, Section 15 of the charter bars the president from making any appointments except to temporary posts in the executive department 2 months before the elections and until her term ends on June 30. However, the Supreme Court ruled with finality in March that the judiciary is exempt from the said ban. Former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo has filed a second motion for reconsideration. “We will resolve the problem of the appointment of the Chie
