Yt Framework

LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “… Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains…” (Jesus Christ, our God and Savior, describing xthe end of the world in Matthew 24:7-8, the Holy Bible).

VERDICT JUST THE BEGINNING OF THINGS TO COME: To those who will read this through the Internet and Facebook groups where I am a regular contributor, there will be no verdict as yet from the Senate sitting as impeachment court, whether for or against Chief Justice Renato Corona. But to those who will be reading this in newspapers, it is most likely that our senator-judges have already spoken.

But, whether or not Corona is acquitted or finally ousted, the truth of the matter is that, that is not going to be the end of it all. It is just going to be the beginning. I am sure that whatever the verdict will be, there will be reactions and counter-reactions from pro- or anti-Corona groups that will surely haunt down our nation.

And this is what we should all be wary about: if not properly handled, these post-trial incidents could ignite a tumult or a civil war that we may all regret later. It is because of this that I am reiterating my call: let us pray for our senator-judges, for the Chief Justice, President Aquino, the prosecution, and the entire Filipino nation so God can direct all of us.

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS AFTER SENATE VOTE: What are the possible scenarios here? One is an acquittal, for whatever reason. I mean, it is possible that Corona will be acquitted because the necessary number of senator-judges to oust him is not reached. On the other hand, it could be that senator-judges would be unanimous (or at least a majority of them) in saying that the charges against him have not been proven.

The second scenario is a verdict of guilt, which will lead to the ouster of Corona. But then, as I am saying, whether it will ultimately be an acquittal or a guilty verdict, powerful reactions, spontaneous or engineered, are most likely to set in. And this is where the real problem lies.

In an acquittal, leaders and members of the so-called “civil society” in Metro Manila would surely not accept it. They are therefore expected to publicly rise and create chaos that is aimed at forcing Corona to resign just the same. This is in fact a scenario already floated around while the impeachment trial was still going on with reports of personalities meeting and plotting to compel Corona’s ouster just the same.

QUO VADIS, PHILIPPINES? But just as anti-Corona “civil society” members have the support of many, so does Corona. The massing up of red-shirted Filipinos at the Supreme Court gates, and the gathering of more than a million people at the Luneta grounds a few months back, prove that the embattled chief justice can also muster the needed big number to back him up.

I am sure that these supporters of Corona, who have been insisting on his innocence from day one of the trial and who have been reported to be plotting in his favor likewise, will not accept any guilty verdict, or, any move to unseat him through EDSA people-type of gatherings if he is acquitted.

Then, there are forces from the left and the right, and from other vested interest groups who believe they can benefit from the deep division of the Filipino on the Corona issue. I am sure they will attempt to ride on this serious schism for their own reasons, which may yet trigger the war spoken of by Jesus Christ in the Biblical passage at the beginning here. Now, quo vadis, Philippines?

REACTIONS? Call me at 0917 984 24 68, 0918 574 0193 or 0922 833 43 96. Email me at batasmauricio@yahoo.com.

BY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO