Corona sworn in as new Chief Justice

Despite the controversy surrounding his appointment, Renato Corona on Monday took his oath as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The ceremony, which was closed to the media, was headed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo inside Malacañang this morning, a GMA Flash Report said. Corona, who was named Supreme Court associate justice in April 2002, replaced retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. Prior to his appointment to the country's highest court, Corona was President Arroyo's chief of staff, spokesman, and acting executive secretary. His appointment as chief justice, which came less than two months before the end of President Arroyo's term, has drawn flak from legal groups such as the Philippine Bar Association and the Supreme Court Appointments Watch. Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the prospective incoming president, earlier said he would rather be sworn into office by the chairman of his barangay in Tarlac City than by Corona. Aquino opposed the Supreme Court's decision allowing President Arroyo to appoint Puno's successor. In an interview over radio dwIZ, LP spokesman and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III said Aquino would take the needed steps to avert a constitutional crisis over his refusal to recognize Corona. According to Tañada, Aquino is still studying the issue. “Hindi pa final ang decision ni Sen. Aquino diyan. Pero what is clear under our Constitution, di necessarily Chief Justice ng Supreme Court ang mag-a-administer ng oath (Aquino has not made a final decision on who will administer his oath. But what is clear under our Constitution is that it is not necessarily the Chief Justice who should administer the oath)," Tañada said. Aquino recognizes the Supreme Court even though he is questioning Corona's appointment as chief justice, said Tañada. “Aquino has been clear on the matter, he will not promote a constitutional crisis," he added. —with field reports/VS, GMANews.TV