Corona to support Carpio as chief justice

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines  – Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Renato Corona, one of the six nominees to the position of chief justice, is ready to support whoever is appointed to succeed Reynato Puno who retires on May 17.

Corona vowed to give full support even to his estranged friend and rival for the top SC post, Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, despite the latter’s refusal to participate in the public interview of the six nominees by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) .

“I will give my full support to him (Carpio),” Corona told The STAR.

Corona, Puno, Carpio and the rest of the 15-man Supreme Court (SC) are holding their annual summer sessions here.

The SC, which also held its Media Forum here, is scheduled to launch its Enhanced Justice on Wheels in Bangued, Abra tomorrow.

Despite their current rivalry for the top SC post, Corona and Carpio are very close friends. Their friendship dates back to their pre-law days at the Ateneo de Manila in the 1960s.

In fact, they are kumpadres four times over. When Carpio got married, Corona was his veil sponsor. When Corona got married, Carpio was his cord sponsor.

Carpio is the godfather of Corona’s only son. Corona is the godfather of Carpio’s only son.

Carpio reiterated his stand that the incoming president should appoint the next chief justice instead of President Arroyo making a midnight appointment.

The outgoing chief justice is due for retirement on May 17 or a week after the national and local elections.

The 61-year-old Corona said being appointed chief justice is the apex of a lawyer’s career.

He declined to comment on his nomination out of delicadeza.

“The only thing that would matter now is to find meaning in this beyond myself but for our country and our people, our justice system,” Corona said.

“What’s the greatest job I did to deserve the trust of the highest office? If selected, perhaps the Lord has something for me to do. It’s the only thing, I think, He wants me to do for the country,” Corona said.

He considers himself fortunate to be appointed to the SC. Mrs. Arroyo appointed Corona associate justice on April 9, 2002. He was Palace chief of staff before his appointment to the SC.

“I have already reached the top of my career as a lawyer. Para sa tao na ito, para sa bayan, para sa Diyos. Hindi na ito para sa sarili (It’s now for the people, for the country, for God. It’s not just for myself anymore),” Corona stressed.

Carpio, on the other hand, was appointed to the SC on Oct. 26, 2001.

He was 52 years old when he assumed the post, making him the youngest associate justice ever appointed to the SC.

He first served as chief presidential legal counsel of former President Fidel Ramos.

It was during the Ramos administration that Corona and Carpio first worked together at the Palace.

Corona was the assistant executive secretary for legal affairs and concurrently head of the Malacañang Legal Office.

Corona was later promoted to deputy executive secretary and later succeeded Renato Cayetano as chief presidential legal counsel when the latter resigned to run - successfully - for senator in 1995.

Carpio went back to private practice and rejoined his partners at the Villaraza, Carpio, Cruz law office.

Corona, on the other hand, joined then Vice President Gloria Arroyo as her chief of staff.

Carpio, Corona and the four other nominees are scheduled for public interview by the JBC here on Monday.

The four other nominees are Associate Justices Conchita Carpio-Morales, Arturo Brion, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and acting presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan Edilberto Sandoval.