Defense afraid of tackling the 2nd article of impeachment. Trial might be over sooner than later.

Chief Justice Corona has opened a Pandora's box when he allowed the Clerk of Court to "surrender" his SALN (Statement of Accoounts, Liabilities and Net Worth) to the Impeachment Court.

Now we have the prosecution panel perusing over the summarized statements and they are being helped indirectly by independent investigative journalism outfits such as RaissaRobles.com and Rappler.com with free DETAILED information and even advice.

We also are inspired to insinuate in some ways that real estate companies may have given the Chief Justice perks and advantages in exchange for favorable court decision!

Only when complete records such as taxes will be divulged will we get the full story and to fill in gaps to have a clear and convincing proof(s) that CJ Corona has lied even with his wife's and children's financial activities.

It is not a wonder that defense that is vehement about NOT allowing the 2nd article of impeachment to delve into the nasty meaty details for the sordid details clearly shows Corona has committed graft and corruption! (like claiming his wife had a government position later than what he wrote, and the worth of the properties are way way below the sum total of what he could earn as a government employee/manager (Chief of staff, Associate Justice, Chief Justice).


Here is Article 2 of the Impeachment Copmplaint:


II. RESPONDENT COMMITTED CULPABLE VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND/OR BETRAYED THE PUBLIC TRUST WHEN HE FAILED TO DISCLOSE TO THE PUBLIC HIS STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES, AND NET WORTH AS REQUIRED UNDERSEC. 17, ART. XI OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION.

2.1. It is provided for in Art. XI, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution that “a public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often thereafter as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth. In the case of the President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law. ”

2.2. Respondent failed to disclose to the public his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth as required by the Constitution.

2.3. It is also reported that some of the properties of Respondent are not included in his declaration of his assets, liabilities, and net worth, in violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act.

2.4. Respondent is likewise suspected and accused of having accumulated ill-gotten wealth, acquiring assets of high values and keeping bank accounts with huge deposits. It has been reported that Respondent has, among others, a 300-sq. meter apartment in a posh Mega World Property development at the Fort in Taguig. Has he reported this, as he is constitutionally-required under Art. XI, Sec. 17 of the Constitution in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN)? Is this acquisition sustained and duly supported by his income as a public official? Since his assumption as Associate and subsequently, Chief Justice, has he complied with this duty of public disclosure?


Defense conveniently forgets that this is in Artcle 2.4!