Corona's media blitz hit

A UP law professor has criticized newly appointed Chief Justice Renato Corona for the media interviews he had granted since he assumed the post last Monday. “The nature of the court, particularly the Supreme Court, is that it should speak through its decisions and not through its spokesman or even its chief justice," said Prof. Theodore Te, who is also a noted human rights lawyer. He noted that Rule 2.02 of Canon 2 states that a judge should not seek publicity for personal vainglory, and that Rule 3.07 of Canon 3 states that a judge should abstain from making public comments on any pending or impending case and should require similar restraint on the part of court personnel By Te’s count, Corona has given four live media interviews and at least two radio interviews since his oath-taking Monday. Corona also held a press conference shortly after the oath-taking. “When the chief justice talks about his opinion outside of the proceedings in the Court, there is the danger of his saying something undue, perhaps in answer to a question that may not be contextualized," Te said. Te said that during Corona’s press conference, he inadvertently gave his position on the second motion for reconsideration filed by the Philippine Bar Association, a group opposed to his appointment, regarding the Supreme Court decision allowing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint a chief justice despite a supposed election ban. During the press conference, Corona pointed out that the motion will likely be dismissed on the ground that it was a prohibited pleading since the case has already been ruled with finality by the high court. Te also said that in a radio interview, Corona said there is no need for the abolition of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal as suggested by election lawyer Romulo Macalintal. Te said such discussions are unbecoming of a chief justice. “The possibility of influence is enough; the potential to shape a future decision simply by a careless remark, example, the PET answer, is enough damage," he said. - KBK, GMANews.TV