A PLEA FOR SOBRIETY MANIFESTO OF SUPPORT FOR CHIEF JUSTICE CORONA THE RELENTLESS ATTACKS ON THE SUPREME COURT AND ITS CHIEF JUSTICE, RENATO CORONA, HAVE RISEN TO A DEAFENING CRESCENDO. THIS FOLLOWS ITS RECENT UNANIMOUS DECISION ORDERING, WITH FINALITY, THE DECADES-LATE DISTRIBUTION OF LAND TO THE TENANT FARMERS OF THE COJUANGCO-OWNED HACIENDA LUISITA. AT THE FIRST NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUMMIT LAST DECEMBER 5, 2011, THAT GATHERED TOGETHER JUSTICE OFFICIALS, LEGISLATORS, LEGAL SCHOLARS, JUDGES, LAWYERS’ GROUPS AND CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES TO ASSESS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND FOSTER COORDINATION, COOPERATION AND GREATER EFFECTIVENES AMONG VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES UNMINDFULLY CHOSE THE OCCASION TO MAKE STINGING REMARKS ON THE PERSON OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND CAST ASPERSIONS ON COLLEGIAL DECISIONS MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT ITSELF. AT THE RECEIVING END OF THIS RUDE AND BOORISH TREATMENT, CHIEF JUSTICE RENATO CORONA DISPLAYED ADMIRABLE STATESMANSHIP AND KEPT HIS COMPOSURE. AND, WHEN PRESSED FOR HIS REACTION, HE SIMPLY SAID WITH GREAT DIGNITY AND CIVILITY… “ PASKO NAMAN, HAYAAN N’YO NA” (IT’S CHRISTMAS, LET IT BE) THE INCIDENT SENDS A CHILLING REALIZATION OF A “CREEPING TOTALITARIANISM THAT HAS ABRIDGED THE RIGHTS OF THOSE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND TWISTED COURT PROCEDURES TO SUIT ITS PURPOSES.” THERE ARE THOSE WHO SEEK TO DESTROY THE SUPREME COURT BY EXACERBATING THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE JUDICIARY, WHICH MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN CHAOS AND INSTABILITY. FACED WITH ALL THESE , CHIEF JUSTICE CORONA HAS REMAINED A MAN OF COURAGE , A MAN OF PRINCIPLE AND A MAN OF PEACE, STEADFAST IN HIS BELIEF IN THE SUPREMACY OF THE RULE OF LAW AND EVER MINDFUL THAT HISTORY SHALL BE THE ULTIMATE JUDGE. BY UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION AND RULE OF LAW AGAINST ALL ODDS, THE SUPREME COURT TOWERS AS THE CITIZENS’ LAST HOPE IN THEIR SEARCH FOR JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS. CHIEF JUSTICE RENATO CORONA, WE SALUTE YOU FOR REMAINING TRUE TO THESE TENETS!!