CORONA
Former Chief Justice Renato Corona has passed away, the Supreme Court’s Public Information Office (SC PIO) confirmed yesterday.
The SC PIO said the family of the former Chief Justice informed the court of his passing.
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno ordered that the flags in the Supreme Court and all courts nationwide be flown at half-mast.
The family said Corona succumbed to cardiac arrest at 1:48 a.m. yesterday. His family appealed for prayers.
Corona served as Chief Justice from May 17, 2010 to May 29, 2012. He was the 23rd Chief Justice of the Philippines.
JUDGES, MIRIAM MOURN EX-CHIEF JUSTICE’S DEATH
Court judges in the provinces of Laguna and Batangas yesterday expressed grief over the death of Corona, who, to some, had fought for judicial independence.
In San Pablo City in Laguna, judges and court employees said they will wear black armbands until the remains of the former magistrate were laid to rest.
Philippine flags at the regional and municipal trial courts in San Pablo City and in the towns of Alaminos, Rizal and Nagcarlan in Laguna were also raised at half-staff, said Judge Agripino Morga of the Regional Trial Court Branch 32 in San Pablo.
Presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago yesterday mourned the death of Corona, the first member of the High Tribunal to be impeached in Philippine history.
“I am heartsick. I would have hoped he could have redeemed himself,” said the feisty senator who opposed the impeachment of the former Chief Justice in 2012.