Atty. Karen Jimeno

MANILA, Philippines - The spokeswoman of Chief Justice Renato Corona's defense team on Friday admitted signing a 2010 statement from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law faculty condemning Corona's supposed "midnight appointment" as chief magistrate.

Speaking to ABS-CBN, lawyer Karen Jimeno admitted signing a statement 2 years ago protesting Corona's appointment as Chief Justice in May 2010 despite an electoral ban on new appointments.

"Hindi naman ito sikreto. Kaya nagugulat ako na ngayo pinapalaking issue. Dati pa yan nandiyan. Katunayan, bago pa ako maging spokesperson, kapag ginoogle mo ang pangalan (ko), makikita mo naman yun...Alam yan ng defense team bago pa nila ako kinuha. Sinabi ko rin sa kanila," she said.

Then-President Gloria Arroyo appointed Corona as chief justice in May 2010 during the election period ban on midnight appointments.

"Sa palagay ko, di naman nila ako kukunin kung sa palagay nila makakasama ito sa obligasyon bilang spokesperson," she added.

Jimeno said the Supreme Court had already ruled that appointees of the judiciary are not included in the ban on midnight appointments, and that she respects the decision of the court, even if it differed from her opinion.

"Magkaiba pa rin ang opinyon namin," she said.

She said the same SC that ruled on the legality of Corona's appointment is the same institution that she wants to protect by being spokeswoman of the Chief Justice in the impeachment trial.
She said she joined Corona's defense team because the Chief Justice was being held accountable for decisions made by the entire Court.

"Para sa akin kasi, ang Korte Suprema ay isang institusyon na dapat galangin at kailangan nating panindigan ang kanilang magiging desisyon habang nakaupo silang bilang Korte Suprema," she said.