Country Watch
Justice Secretary was unable to prove Corona’s alleged partiality.
Former President Arroyo, who was president from 2001 to 2010, was also a target of the anti- corruption efforts by current President Aquino. It was alleged that she engaged in corruption and electoral fraud. At the time of her arrest she was in the hospital and had plans to leave the coun- try to seek medical treatment but the Philippine government denied her transit. The Chief Justice was Arroyo’s chief of staff before she appointed him to the Supreme Court in 2002. Two days af- ter current President Aquino won the May 2010 presidential election, Corona became the Chief Justice. President Aquino called the appointment a “midnight appointment” and “indicative of the Philippines’ ‘crooked ways.’”
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The impeachment proceedings of Corona prompt- ed demonstrations in the streets of Manila and have divided Filipinos, many of whom have long been calling for an end to the widespread cor- ruption within the country. Roughly 300 activists were calling for Corona’s conviction while a short distance away; there were dozens of supporters for Corona. Supporters of Corona said that the Chief Justice was being “vilified” by the current administration and many of Corona’s supporters dressed in black on the day of his impeachment proceedings to show their support.
“We are going through a process to stop a rogue magistrate from completely crushing the Su- preme Court,” said President Aquino. But critics have called the impeachment proceeding “an opportunity for Aquino to clear the government of Arroyo supporters and strengthen his own power.” Others have accused President Aquino of “overstepping constitutional boundaries while go- ing after Corona.”
Chief Justice Corona has denied any guilt or wrongdoing and stated, “I have not sinned against the president. I have not sinned against the people. I have not stolen from anyone.”
The impeachment trial is expected to last three months. If Chief Justice Corona is found guilty of the corruption charges brought against him, he will likely be forced out of office. However, there is the possibility that the impeachment proceed- ings may stir up more issues than they remedy. While some see the impeachment proceedings as a long needed measure, others fear that the impeachment proceedings could “raise political tensions in a country with a turbulent history of dictatorships, revolutions and military coup at- tempts.” The next several months until the trial is over may see more tumultuous times for the Philippines.
*Submitted by Mollie Dapolito
Special Court for Sierra Leone Denies Charles Taylor’s Request to Reopen Defense Case
On January 31, 2012 the defense lawyers for former Liberian President, Charles Taylor, filed a motion with the Special Court for Sierra Leone to reopen its defense case in order to admit a United Nations Panel of Experts Report on Liberia. The Court denied the motion to reopen the case on February 9, 2012 finding that the Report, which discusses the Liberian mercenaries’ involvement in conflict throughout West Africa, lacked proba- tive value.
The three-year trial of Taylor started on January 6, 2008, and the defense arguments concluded a year ago, in March 2011. Taylor allegedly armed and supported the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), rebels infamous for hacking off their en- emies’ limbs during Sierra Leone’s Civil War. The verdict to determine Taylor’s innocence or guilt will be delivered on April 26, 2012.
The Civil War of Sierra Leone lasted from March 1991 until January 2002. It began when the RUF, rebels near the Liberian boarder, fought to over- throw the government. Throughout the 11 years of brutal conflict, various forces took power and
ILSA Quarterly » volume 20 » issue 4 » May 2012
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