Noynoy's decision to defy Corona not yet final — LP

Sen. Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III will take the needed steps to avert a constitutional crisis that may be caused by his refusal to recognize Chief Justice Renato Corona, his camp assured Monday. Liberal Party (LP) spokesman Rep. Lorenzo “Erin" Tañada III said Aquino continues to study the issue carefully, and that his decision not to take his oath before Corona is not yet final. “Hindi pa final ang decision ni Senator Aquino diyan. Pero what is clear under our Constitution, di necessarily Chief Justice ng Supreme Court ang maga-administer ng oath," Tañada said in an interview on dwIZ radio. (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.) On Friday, Aquino said at a press conference in Tarlac that he may take his oath before his local barangay (village) captain instead of Corona, who formally assumed his post Monday and whose appointment by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been widely criticized. Corona replaced Reynato Puno, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Monday. Critics described the appointment of Corona as a move by President Arroyo, whose nine-year rule has been rocked by allegations of corruption, to shield her from possible graft investigations by her successor. Both Puno and Malacañang warned Aquino, the front runner in the presidential race, over the weekend that he could plunge the country into a constitutional crisis and divide the nation if he defies the Supreme Court. But Tañada said Aquino is not defying the Supreme Court as an institution. “He (Aquino) recognizes the Supreme Court. With regards just to the head, who the head will be, that’s another question entirely," he said. “Maliwanag ang sabi ni Senator Aquino, he is not going to promote a constitutional crisis (Aquino has been clear on the matter, he will not promote a constitutional crisis)," he added. When asked if Aquino would revoke Corona’s appointment, Tañada said Aquino is studying the matter thoroughly. “Susunod kami sa legal na proseso kung ano ang gagawin (We will follow the legal procedures on the matter)," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV