New Chief Justice Renato C. Corona has taken his oath before President Arroyo in a private ceremony in Malacañang this morning, May 17, 2010.

Corona, a former presidential chief of staff of President Arroyo, formally assumed the top post of the Supreme Court following the retirement of Chief Justice Reynato Puno. He served as SC Senior Associate Justice prior to his appointment to the helms of the judiciary.

Corona, clad in a dark suit, was accompanied by his family during the closed-door oath-taking rites at the Palace. Reporters were not allowed to cover the event.

Malacañang has repeatedly called on apparent President-elect Benigno Aquino III and other government crtics to respect the law and accept the appointment of Corona. Corona was picked by the President from the list submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.

The High Tribunal earlier ruled with finality that the President can appoint the new chief justice since it is not covered by a constitutional ban on appointments 60 days before the presidential elections and 30 days before the end of a sitting president's tenure.

Last Sunday, Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo encouraged Aquino to follow the lead of former presidents who have faithfully abided by rulings issued by the Supreme Court.

"When you look back at the presidents of the country since Edsa 1, I dont remember any president who directly objected the decision of the Supreme Court. I dont remember any president who did that. This should be seriously considered by the next president," Saludo said in Filipino over government radio.

"Cory, Ramos and Estrada were never like that. They all bowed to the Supreme Court," he added, referring to the late President Corazon Aquino and former Presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada.

Aquino, the likely winner of the presidential elections, however, has called on the President to withdraw Corona's appointment and let the incoming administration handle the matter. In an apparent snub on Corona as the country's next chief justice, Aquino also reportedly plans to take his oath before a barangay captain rather than follow a tradition of swearing in before the chief justice.