Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo swore in a new chief justice yesterday, whose appointment has been questioned by her apparent successor, sparking fears of a constitutional crisis.
The ceremony was covered only by journalists from state-run news agencies.
Senator Benigno Aquino, who is set to become the president-elect in an almost-complete vote count of the May 10 elections, has vowed not to take his oath of office before newly appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who once served as Arroyo’s chief of staff and spokesman.
Aquino has said he preferred to take his oath before a village leader in Tarlac, his home province, when Arroyo’s term ends on June 3.
The Constitution does not say the oath must be taken before the chief justice and any official can administer it.
Arroyo’s action has brought the Supreme Court on a possible collision course with the incoming administration, Aquino’s political adviser Florencio Abad said.
“She’s [Arroyo] really pushing us to the brink of a crisis here,” Abad said.
Arroyo, who ran successfully for a seat in the House of Representatives, may have been appointing friendly justices to fend off possible legal action that Aquino has said his new administration would initiate against her, Abad said.
Aquino has said that he plans to form a commission to investigate allegations of massive corruption and vote-rigging involving Arroyo.
In a news conference, Corona said his appointment was legal and rejected perceptions that he would be biased in favor of Arroyo.
“Watch me,” Corona said. “Don’t judge me now.”
Asked if he would inhibit himself from any future case involving Arroyo, Corona refused to reply.
Aquino’s rejection of his appointment may or may not lead to a crisis, he said.
Presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said Arroyo’s actions were legal and he admonished Aquino, asking that he adhere to the Constitution by recognizing Corona’s authority.
Meanwhile, officials say at least six people, including Quezon Governor Rafael Nantes, have been killed when a helicopter crashed in a residential area south of Manila.
Police and military officials say four people on board, including Nantes, two of his security personnel and the pilot were charred beyond recognition. Two people on the ground were also killed and at least two houses were in flames at the crash site in Lucena city in Quezon, about 110km southeast of Manila.
Alfonso Cusi, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, said the four-seater Robinson 44 helicopter crashed about two minutes after taking off from a school in Lucena en route to Manila.
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