Corona's resignation won't affect labor cases

RESIGNATION of the chief operating officer of John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) will not stop pending labor cases lodged against the corporation.

Former public relations officer Nonnette Bennett said JHMC's chief operating officer Ma. Cristina Corona, wife of newly-appointed Chief Justice Reynato Corona, and her subordinates are not off the hook on issues concerning the illegal dismissal of the corporation's employees.

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Bennett and several others, in separate cases, have filed labor cases against the JHMC. The National Labor Relations Commission has ordered the firm's reinstatement and the payment of its back wages.

The cases are now on appeal.

"Even if she resigned, it does not mean that she is not answerable for things she did in the past," Bennett said.

Corona filed her resignation following her husband's appointment as Chief Justice. Her resignation takes effect on June 30.

Her husband, whose appointment as Chief Justice became a source of controversy, said in earlier interviews that he asked his wife to resign in deference to groups that say they owe debts of gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The Chief Justice said it is also inconvenient for his wife to be frequently traveling to Baguio to attend to her duties at JHMC.

During his public interview with the Judicial and Bar Council, the Chief Justice's close association with the President was raised.

Critics said he could not be impartial when cases involving the President are brought to the Supreme Court because he and his wife are appointees of the Arroyo.

The Chief Justice, however, belied the allegation, saying the public should judge him based on how he works. (Rimaliza Opiña)