Neg. Occ. courts halt work
as Corona hits back at PNoy
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Work at the courts in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental ground to a halt for the day in sympathy with Chief Justice Renato Corona, who yesterday accused President Benigno Aquino of plotting a "dictatorship", and vowed to fight for his job after he was impeached by the Lower House. The Court employees in Bacolod and other parts of Negros Occidental showed up at their offices yesterday dressed in black, but hearings and other services were suspended.

The sudden declaration of a court holiday is another example of how justice can be subverted to further the interest of one, Malacañang said of the nationwide move of the judiciary.

“We call on members of the judiciary not to let themselves be used to further the political agenda of one man and his patron,” it added.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said he supports the six congressmen of Negros Occidental who were among those who impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.

It is good for Corona so he can air his side, and an impeachment trial will settle once and for all who is right, the governor said.

As to whether Corona should resign, the governor said that would be up to him, that is his personal choice.

The governor lamented the way the Supreme Court has flip-flopped four times on the creation of 16 additional cities in the country, which has resulted in huge cuts in budgets of other local government units, including those in Negros Occidental.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon yesterday called for prayers that Negros Occidental will be spared from a storm headed in its direction, that is expected to hit on Friday.

Let us pray that it changes course, he said.

The provincial government disaster response personnel have been placed on alert, warnings have been raised, and local government officials and the police have been instructed to be prepared, he said.

Japan Metrological Agency data shows that a storm is expected to hit central Philippines, which is the Visayas, Adonis Belnas of the Provincial Disaster Management Team said.