Corona admits being hurt by brickbats, vows to do good job

Even as he admitted being hurt by criticisms against his appointment, new Chief Justice Renato Corona on Wednesday vowed to win over doubters with his performance. But while Corona said the criticisms only made him more determined to do a good job in the judiciary. "Paminsan minsan tayo nasasaktan din (but) it is making me more determined to prove them wrong at gumawa ng kabutihan sa ating hudikatura (Sometimes the criticisms hurt. But they make me more determined to prove them wrong and do a good job in our judiciary)," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. "I am determined to do a good job as Chief Justice. I hope I can win over my critics and wait for the day sabihin nila nagkamali kami tungkol sa iyo (that they will tell me they were wrong)," he added. But he stressed that the criticisms against him were politically motivated. "Siguro political season po (probably because we are still in a political season)," he said. Last Monday, Corona formally assumed his post as Chief Justice, replacing the retired Reynato Puno. But his critics claim he was appointed to the post to serve as a shield of sorts for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Corona had served as her spokesman and chief of staff. "Okay lang, as public official dapat matuto akong tanggapin ang criticism na ganyan. Everyone has the right to express his opinion (It's okay. As a public official I have to learn to accept such criticisms. Everyone has the right to express his opinion)," Corona said. Corona also scored some of his critics, especially those who want him ousted for "political posturing" and "political saber-rattling." He said he will not dignify speculations about having him removed by the new administration. "Di natin alam how much of that is political posturing or political saber-rattling. Huwag na muna siguro pagtuunan ng pansin ang impeachment (I do not know how much of that claim is political posturing or political saber-rattling. I will not dignify those claims for now)," he said. Programs in place Corona said his priorities as Chief Justice include addressing the backlog in the courts and strengthening the barangay (village) justice system. He said he also plans to expand Puno's "Justice on Wheels" program and computerize the judiciary. "One of the first things i am planning to do is go to the provinces and talk to judges about the cause of backlog," he said.— LBG, GMANews.TV