Noynoy 'snub' of Corona stumps even spokesman

Did President Benigno Simeon Aquino III deliberately snub Chief Justice Renato Corona at his inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand Wednesday? Even the President's spokesman admitted being stumped over the incident, declining to answer a question raised during a radio interview Thursday. When pressed if Aquino's failure to acknowledge Corona was deliberate, he said, "Di ko alam (I don't know), that's a good question. We can ask him that," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

Corona attended Mr. Aquino's inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila Wednesday, but Aquino did not directly acknowledge his presence. President Aquino instead addressed the "justices of the Supreme Court" at the start of his address. Aquino had questioned the appointment of Corona to his post by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Corona had also served as the former president's chief of staff. Also, Mr. Aquino had declined to take his oath before Corona at his inauguration, and instead picked Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV