Corona hits attack on SC by some 'media sectors'

Chief Justice Renato Corona on Wednesday criticized what he said were attacks by some parties in the media against the Supreme Court and its magistrates. During the public interview by the Judicial and Bar Council with those vying to occupy a vacant SC seat, Corona asked Court of Appeals Associate Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando how she would handle negative public opinion should she come up with an unpopular decision. "Being in the Supreme Court is not a bed of roses because when you do what is right, you don't always get fair treatment, especially from the media. You will be crucified in the media even if in your heart of hearts, you did what is right," Corona said. "I say this because I'm telling you, there are certain sectors from the media who will not praise you for anything you do," the chief justice added. He said these media sectors only watch out for mistakes committed by the high tribunal or its magistrates. For her part, Fernando said she would stand by her decisions regardless of whether the public accepts them or not. "[A justice] should not be influenced by public opinion," said Fernando, a former Elections commissioner who has been in the appellate court for about 11 years. Plagiarism issue While Corona did not refer to any media outfit or journalist, the Supreme Court is recently under fire for a ruling that supposedly contained plagiarized portions from foreign sources. (See: SC justice plagiarized parts of ruling on comfort women) The April 28, 2010 decision, penned by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, denied the plea of comfort women, victims of sexual slavery during the World War II, to have the Philippine government compel Japan to publicly apologize and to provide compensation. De Castillo had denied committing plagiarism, said court administrator and spokesperson Jose Midas Marquez last Monday. (See: SC justice denies plagiarizing ruling on comfort women) Criticisms against Corona Even Corona's appointment last May had been criticized widely by legal luminaries, as well as law and civic groups, and the media. In March, the high court allowed then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to name the successor of then Chief Justice Reynato Puno despite a supposed constitutional ban on midnight appointments two months before an election. The court ruled the ban only covers appointments to the executive department. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV