SC Justice Morales accepts request to swear in Noynoy

Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales has accepted President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's request for her to administer his oath-taking as the country's 15th president on June 30, Aquino's camp said Friday. Aquino's spokesman Edwin Lacierda said they received Carpio-Morales's letter of acceptance around 11:30 a.m. Friday. Aquino wrote her an official letter of request last Wednesday. Aquino refuses to take his oath before Chief Justice Renato Corona, whose appointment by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo he is questioning. Corona had served as President Arroyo’s chief of staff, spokesman, and acting executive secretary.
The President-elect had earlier said that he would not recognize the appointment of Corona, insisting that Corona’s appointment last May 17 was a violation of the 1987 Constitution. Section 15, Article 7 of the Constitution bars the incumbent president from making appointments two months before the elections and until his term ends. The Philippines had its first ever nationwide automated elections last May 10, or seven days before Corona replaced now retired Reynato Puno as chief justice. The SC, in its controversial March 17 decision, ruled that the constitutional provision exempts the high court, which became the basis of President Arroyo in appointing Corona. Carpio-Morales was the lone dissenter in the SC decision allowing President Arroyo to appoint the replacement of then-Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who retired May 17. "Pareho po ang kanilang paniniwala dun sa desisyon na pinapayagang si Pangulong Arroyo ang magtalaga ng Chief Justice habang doon sa prohibited period (They have the same views on the decision to allow President Arroyo to appoint the next chief justice during the prohibited period)," Lacierda said by way of explaining why Aquino asked Carpio-Morales to swear him in. Despite Aquino's rejection of Corona's appointment, Lacierda said it was "possible" that the chief justice would be invited to the inauguration and oath-taking at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Aquino's sisters, Binay's children inspect site Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay will also take his oath before Carpio-Morales. Earlier in the day, the relatives of Aquino and Binay accompanied the inauguration committee, Presidential Managament Staff, and the Presidential Security Group in inspecting the Quirino Grandstand and in discussing logistics for the inauguration.
GMA News' Ruth Cabal reported that those who went to the inspection were Aquino's sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Pinky Aquino-Abellada, and Kris Aquino-Yap and Binay's children, including Makati City Mayor-elect Jun-Jun Binay and Makati City Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay. Maria Montelibano, co-chair of the inauguration committee, said Noynoy wants the event to be "simple" but "elegant." Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is set to read the proclamation of Aquino and Binay as the winners in the last elections. Afterwards, a leader from one of the volunteer groups that backed up Aquino's campaign will read a "Panata para sa Pagbabago" (Oath for Change). "Kung nanumpa ang pangulo sa bayan, yung mga volunteer at lahat dun sa Quirino Grandstand at sana yung mga nanonood na rin ay manumpa na rin upang pagpapakita ng kanilang todong suporta sa mga magiging layunin ng administrasyon (If the president took his oath, the volunteers and everyone at the Qurino Grandstand and hopefully those watching at home should also vow to support the objectives of the administration)," said inaugural spokesperson Manuel L. Quezon III in an interview over Unang Hirit Friday. Prior to the oath-taking, Aquino is expected to follow tradition by fetching Mrs. Arroyo from Malacañang. They will ride together to the venue, which is expected to draw at least 100,000 spectators. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV