From Philippine Daily Inquirer's website (posted on the evening of January 14, 2012):
By Philip C. Tubeza
MANILA, Philippines—Beseeching Heaven’s assistance in Latin, supporters of Chief Justice Renato Corona held a Tridentine Mass at the Supreme Court on Saturday, the last of novena of Masses for the beleaguered head of the judiciary.
Corona attended the Latin Mass late Saturday afternoon with his wife and more than 100 supporters, including former Philippine Commission on Good Government chief Camilo Sabio.
When asked after the Mass about the World Bank report finding mismanagement and questionable disbursements from a World Bank loan for a judicial reform program, Corona said: “It’s hard to answer that because I haven’t read it.”
The report was dated Dec. 28, 2011.
Corona also said that he had yet to decide whether to attend the opening of his impeachment trial in the Senate on Monday.
Asked again about the World Bank report that proceeds of the WB loan were used by Supreme Court justices to pay a travel agency of lawyer Estelito Mendoza, Corona said, “I haven’t read that. You are forcing me to answer.” He then went up the stairs into the Supreme Court building.
The priest who offered the Mass was Fr. Dominic Lim OFMConv.
For the background to this case, which is a major political story here in the Philippines, please read this article: Philippines braces for impeachment trial for Chief Justice.
In the Philippines, the "separation of Church and State" is interpreted more loosely than in the United States, and it is common for Masses to be held in government offices for special occasions or events as well as during First Fridays.
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