The Philippine Online Chronicles

Manila judges are showing their support for embattled Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona by going on leave today, GMA News reports.

According to radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo, the Manila Regional Trial Court Judges Association filed a leave of absence to show support for Corona. Association president Antonio Eugenio has asked for the public's understanding for the judge's absence.

Corona is currently facing an impeachment trial at the Senate, with eight articles of impeachment against him, including for his alleged failure to declare millions of pesos worth of assets.

Employees of the high court, along with members of the Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals and the lower courts are also slated to conduct a “Walk for Democracy” to express their indignation against the proceedings.

“They [court employees] want to express their disgust on the impeachment trial, not only to support the Chief Justice but also to pray for the institution,” said Supreme Court Employees Association President Jose Dante A. Guerrero.

On the other hand, militant groups are trooping to the Senate today to call for the swift impeachment of Corona.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that members of Akbayan and the Bantay Gloria Network led by Akbayan partylist spokesperson Risa Hontiveros and Black and White Movement head Leah Navarro are set to urge the government to hasten impeachment efforts against Corona, as they consider the Chief Justice to be former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's last line of defense.