| Feb 23, 2012 | Day 23
The impeachment trial may end soon! The prosecution panel is planning to wrap up their presentation after tackling article 7. Here is the summary for day 23 from the growing social journalism site rappler.com: rappler.com Day 23: Trial summary with video coverage
- Prosecutors, senator want justice to testify
- philstar: Prosecution drops three charges vs. Corona
Excerpt:
Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao said the prosecution would no longer present evidence on paragraphs 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 of Article 3, which accuse Corona of culpable violation of the Constitution and/or betrayal of public trust.
Paragraphs 3.4 to 3.4.8 accuse Corona of “excessive entanglement” with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after his wife Cristina accepted an appointment by Arroyo to the board of the John Hay Management Corp. on March 23, 2007. The JHMC is a government-owned and controlled corporation created under Republic Act 7227.
Paragraphs 3.4.9 to 3.4.10 allege that Corona “dipped his hands into public funds to finance personal expenses.”
| Feb 22, 2012 | Day 22
Today's trial recap: rappler.com:Corona trial Day 22 summary.
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| Feb 21, 2012 | Day 21
For the day's trial summary, click on rappler.com: Day 21 summary
It was adjourned shortly upon request by prosecution panel.
- rappler.com: Enrilie rejects witness, slams prosecution
Enrile got mad at prosecution for presenting evidence against unclear unspecified charges. The prosecution wanted to present
The prosecution wanted to present a PAL executive to testify on the free plane tickets that PAL management allegedly granted Corona and wife. The SC decisions on the labor dispute between PAL and its pilots' union is one of the "flip-flopping" cases cited in the impeachment complaint (Article 3).
What Enrile perhaps wanted was that the prosecution panel should have gathered all the evidence before filing an impeachment case, especially on the bank accounts.
I dont think the prosecution lost on this one, citing the previous impeachment trial versus former Pres. Estrada, where a surprise witness came forward.
We only opine that the flow of the trial depends whether the senator judges stick to strict legal technical procedures or get to the truth of the matter.
- Corona gets ‘unlimited courtesy travel’ from PAL
Corona and his family were able to visit Guam, Singapore, Honolulu, Hong Kong and to domestic destinations. What is wrong? There was a pending case involving PAL in the Supreme Court! Unfortunately the presiding officer J.P.Enrile, has remarked that the evidence was rubbish.
We'd rather let time pass before we present an opinion on this one!
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| Feb 20,2012 | Day 20, trial resumes
For a summary of the day's trial, we prefer rappler.com Day 20
- BSP: PSBank lax with Corona accounts
Excerpt:
n a statement on Monday evening, February 20, the bank regulator stressed that its audit team that was deployed to conduct its regular examination of Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) "could not have copied nor secured copies" of the deposit account records, including the signature cards of Corona.
BSP said the assigned examiners "did not access" and "never requested" for the deposit records of Corona that are maintained with PSBank Katipunan branch.
- inquirer.net: Garcia indicates 42 differences in Corona original docus vs prosecution team
- Miriam: Dollar account inquiry against law
This where technicalities trump over justice. Corona is hiding his wealth in dollar accounts and he is NOT EVEN a foreigner.
Yet former US ambassadors to the Philippines are saying bank secrecy laws of the Philippines are antiquated and hinder the war on graft!There is no surprise if indeed the good Chief Justice engaged in dollar money laundering, Corona has an MBA and once worked in a bank!
- rappler.com: why did Corona fgo to the U.S. in November 2011?
- rappler.com: Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas audited Corona' accounts in 2010
Aquino:My SALN long been open to public
Who would have thought that the impeachment trial would pry open the Justice SALNs, specifically that of the chief Justice? Now Corona will be forced to explain in "due time", the
wide discrepancy between what is stated in his SALN and the amounts kept in banks! (Remember Corona has an MBA and formerly worked in bank(s)). Yet we have the just exposed justice Corona hurling charges and challenges at the president, one of the latest of which was to demand the President to publish his SALN? (the psychological reports were old rehashes of presidential election mudslinging).
- Senators to tackle contempt issue, Supreme Court records in caucus">
The Press Conference where the defense panel spokesmen talked about an alleged P100 Million bribe from the president will be tackled in a caucus. If this leads to a walkout of the defense panel, then Corona is guilty of resorting to dirty tactics. He did not apologize for what his defense panel or spokesmen has stated. We think that the docile behavior during the trial proper itself masks a hidden agenda.
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| Feb 17, 2012 | Trial adjourned to Monday Feb. 19
rappler.com, 5:16pm: Defense: Cash under Corona's name not all his
Excerpt:
When asked why the amount was not declared in the SALNs of the Chief Justice, considering it was his wife's, defense spokesperson Karen Jimeno verified that Corona's SALN was filed jointly with Cristina, but said the fuller explanation will come in due time.
"Joint filing pagka-asawa mo, yes, 'yun ang kailangan natin tanungin kay Chief Justice Corona kapag panahon na ng defense magpresenta ng ebidensiya," said Jimeno. "Kung sa Basa-Guidote yan at sa pangalan ng asawa mo to, kung bakit hindi yan kasama sa SALN…Dapat andun, yes, I agree."
Tranquil Salvador III, in a separate interview, however, contradicted Jimeno and denied the SALNs were not filed jointly.
"Hindi po. Ang SALN, individual kung public officer ka. Kaya kami ay nagtataka rin kanina kung bakit pati ang mga bank deposits ni Misis ay titingnan rin," said Salvador.
Now even a member of the defense panel gets it wrong. Corona really has to enter this cash in his SALN as required by law!
| | Feb 16, 2012 | Day 19
Rapplers.com synopsis of Impeachement Trial Day 19
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| Feb 15, 2012 | Day 18
Due to a loss of a family member, we were not able to update our timelines with links to pertinent news and opinion pages. We will try to fill up the entries for Day 17 and 18 in the succeeding days.
Click on Rappler.com synopsis of the impeachment trial for Day 18.
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| Feb 14, 2012 | Day 17
Click on
">Rappler.com synopsis of the impeachment trial for Day 17.
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| Feb 13, 2012 | Day 16
Rappler.com seems to be the most consistent in presenting a complete picture of each impeachment trial day sessions. So for this day, Feb. 13, we honor Rappler.com.
Rappler's excellent synopsis of the impeachment trial
- Senators vote 13-10 to follow court's TRO
For:Vicente Sotto III, Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr, Gregorio Honasan, Aquilino Pimentel III, Ralph Recto, Joker Arroyo, Manuel Villar Jr, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Against:Sergio Osmeña III, Edgardo Angara, Panfilo Lacson, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Manuel Lapid, Francis Pangilinan, Teofisto Guinonga III, Antonio Trillanes IV, and Franklin Drilon.
- Corona singles out 5 biased senators
Wow, CJ Corona is making judgment already on the composition of the Impeachment Court. I suggest that the Senate should ignore any TRO's from hereon.
- rappler.com: Corona's Miscommunication
Excerpt: Corona's lawyers repeatedly said that they respect the authority of the impeachment court even after they accused Malacañang of pressuring senator-judges to defy a temporary restraining order on Corona's dollar accounts. "We have no intention of disrespecting or criticizing the Senate," said defense spokesperson Rico Quicho on Day 16 of the impeachment trial. Defense spokesperson Tranquil Salvador III echoed him, "If we didn't respect this process, we shouldn't be here....We have no intention of discrediting the Senate because we believe in the Senate as a strong institution." Yet in a press statement released the same day, Corona said, "Itong impeachment trial na ito ay isang huwad, isang paghihiganti [nang] sukdulan at kahiya-hiyang tangka na pigilin ang pagbabahagi ng lupain sa Hacienda Luisita." (This impeachment trial is a fraud, an act of ultimate vengeance and a shameful attempt to stop the distribution of Hacienda Luisita.) A sign of desperation?
- rappler.com: bank manager says about prosecution documents: Its fake!
- rappler.com: Defense sorry of offending Senate
Excerpt: We apologize if our statement was not clear. We are not trying to imply that you were bribed,” Roy told Sen Alan Peter Cayetano during the trial. “We went to the media to send a clear message to those trying to subvert the process that we won’t allow this to go unnoticed.” Cayetano said he felt insulted that he even had to deny accepting a bribe. Senators Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Pia Cayetano, and Antonio Trillanes IV also questioned Roy, saying the defense’s statement discredited the Senate. Roy said the defense only wanted to expose to the public that Malacañang was pressuring the senators, and that this was not fair to their client. Cayetano responded, “Pressure is always part of the game. Ang tanong magpapa-pressure ba kami?” (The question is will we be pressured?)
All news items items are from rappler.com website. We only republish for the sake of of its public importance and to encourage the reader to read Rappler.com!
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| feb 11-12, 2012 | Trial to resume Monday
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| feb 10, 2012 | Trial to resume Monday
Reviews and Opinions
- Rappler.com,updated 02/10/2012 12:04AM:Day 15: Cuevas commits a mistake
- Philstar.com,Updated Feb 10, 2012 12:00 AM :SC stops subpoena on dollar accounts
- I will fight to my last breath - Corona
Excerpts:
Defense counsel Ramon Esguerra told The STAR Corona is determined to fight until his last breath.
“Kahit patayin ninyo ako, lalabanan ko kayo, hanggang sa huling hininga (Even if you kill me, I will fight you, until my last breath),” Esguerra quoted Corona as saying.
Esguerra said the defense panel is ready to reconcile the bank accounts revealed in the last two hearings.
He hinted that the alleged peso accounts containing millions of pesos could be reconciled with the sales of two of his properties in 2009.
Esguerra said that the public should not forget Mrs. Corona also got a P34-million check from expropriations of their family corporation, Basa Guidote Enterprises Inc. as early as 2001. He added that the amount in Basa Guidote “could have grown by reason of the interest to a higher sum.” Esguerra explained they will have time to contradict all the prosecution’s claims when their turn to present witnesses and evidence comes.
- Philstar.com, updated feb 10,12:00AM: House: CJ has nowhere to go p>Excerpts:
“I was personally amazed at that tactic (petition for TRO) because as one senator wants to put it, it’s only one of two things: maybe they don’t want to show contents of that document and they try to involve the Supreme Court in the controversy by stopping it. And I don’t see how you can win there,” Speaker of the House Belmonte said.
House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II described the Chief Justice’s move to seek a TRO from the SC as an “act of desperation.”
He said if the arguments raised by Corona in his petition were serious as he claimed, he should have raised them even before the start of trial.
“Now that he (Corona) brought the matter to the Supreme Court, there is a real threat of a constitutional crisis, and there would be a crisis in the banking industry, but that’s his fault,” Gonzales said.
He said if Corona is not hiding huge dollar bank accounts, he should allow PSBank to bare them to the public.
“This is not a legal opinion but from our point of view, it is clear that if he has nothing to hide, why is he (Corona) afraid to reveal his SALN? I think that may be an indicator of guilt. It is a generally accepted principle that that is an indicator of guilt if you are hiding something,” said Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of the CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace.
“Isn’t it if you are a judge you should favor the truth to come out? But how can he do that if he himself is hiding… the truth? He is not worthy to become a chief justice if he would use technicalities and legalities to hide the truth,” he said.
The CBCP official reminded Corona of his promise to subject himself to the impeachment process to clear his name. “So why is he backing out now?”
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| Feb 9, 2012 | Day 15
Rappler.com: Summary of Day 15
Further reading:
- Corona has 12 Million pesos in BPI-manager
The exact balance is P12,024,067.70 at the end of 2010, yet CJ Corona divulged only P3.5Million in his SALN (Assets, Liabilities and Networth) for 2010.
Philstar, 5:05pm: SC issues TRO on Senate subpoena
The Supreme Court (SC) issued this afternoon a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the Senate from implementing its subpoena that compelled the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) to send a representative and submit documents on Chief Justice Renato Corona’s five foreign currency accounts.
Our Opinion: We are now getting confident that CJ Corona can never reconcile what he wrote in his SALN and all his wealth including hidden dollar accounts. This amounts to obstuction of truth. Nevertheless, the ball is in his hands to prove that there was no intention to hide his actual wealth, a difficult problem since there was no other proof that he earned money aside from his salary as public servant
in the years 2003-2010.
- Prosecution: TRO an admission dollar accounts were Corona’s
Prosecution spokesman Romero “Miro” Quimbo on Thursday said that by filing a petition for certiorari Chief Justice Renato Corona has admitted that the bank accounts being subpoenaed by the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, were his. Moreover, the right to vote were taken away from Justice Carpio and Justice Conchita Morales
This only sullies the reputation, if any is left, of CJ Renato Corona. It only means that he has hidden wealth, since it is undeclared
in his SALN.
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| feb 8, 2012 | Day 14
This promises to be an exciting day for the impeachment of the Chief Justice Renato Corona. Will the bank documents be really opened in the trial? Will the search for truth be cast aside due to bank concerns of loss of confidentiality?
Here is a summary of the proceedings, courtesy of Rappler.com:rappler.com: day 14 proceedings
- philstar.com: Senate denies prosecution motion to subpoena Justices.
- philstar.com, 4:04pm: Senate denies Corona's bid to defer bank subpoena
- rappler.com, 8:20pm: Bank exec says- corona has 20M in 2010
Here is a graphic from rappler.com.
Stunning, our honorable Chief Justice really has a pattern of lying through his teeth. No simple correction of his SALN is now possible (it is beyond disbelief and repair!).
- Stop proceedings vs me, Corona asks SC
Is this an admission on the part of Corona that he has been unmasked as a lying(SALN and properties dont match, tax-evading(even BIR into the investigation) citizen of the Philippines?
- Rappler.com:Unwise for SC to review Senate decision
Keynote speech delivered by Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago,on the opening of the joint convention of the Society of Hypertension, and Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society.
Furthermore, the fiery lady said:
It is not sensible to allow the Supreme Court to review the final decision of the Senate as an impeachment court. Otherwise, an impeached and convicted Chief Justice could go back to the Supreme Court for the rest of his term, which is absurd. No reinstated Chief Justice would be able to regain his aura of legitimacy.
- Rappler.com:PSBank asks SC to stop release of documents
- Rappler.com:[2nd UPDATE] CJ Corona will file TRO with SC
Philstar.com, 11:30AM: Corona seeks TRO on bank subpoenas
No reasons were given in the news item, but it may be due to bank privacy or secrecy laws. Yet there is litigation or trial so we shall follow up on this one this afternoon!
PSBank exec fails to bring all summoned Corona accounts
The executive is required to present the rest of the subpoenaed documents tomorrow
- Defense to seek Supreme Court relief over Corona bank documents
Cuevas, or any member of the defense panel has no recourse but to accept the authority of the impeachment court to try the Chief Justice. Going to the Supreme Court to get a TRO is the height of stupidity. Instead they should focus on preparing to interject objections when the bank records are divulged in the proceedings. Then they will be looked at as delaying the trial which they really will do, but such is life. Meanwhile, the Chief Justice still has not shown any indication that he will resign.
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| feb 7, 2012 | Day 13
For a recap of the days trial: Rappler.com: Day 13
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| feb 6, 2012 | Trial resumes today A summary of the day's proceedings, from Rappler.com.Rappler.com: Day 12 narration of events
- Philstar, Corona trial seen over by March 23 . Another pronouncement from the lead prosecutor yesterday. Excerpt:
The Senate impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona will most likely be finished by March 23.
“We hope to finish the trial before our Holy Week adjournment. By then, we also hope that the Senate would have already made a decision,”.
The prosecution is confident that the fact that Corona has been dishonest in filing his SALNs should be enough to prove his impeachment. We remind the reader that Yes! even the chief justice agrees with "Dishonesty is sufficient ground for dismissal from service. No Ifs, or buts..
- Philstar, CJ trial going over P10 Million budget
Recap:
Eleven days after the impeachment trial of CJ Renato Corona, some Senator-Judges are asserting that the trial is becoming too "costly for the Filipino people.
- Philstar: What is public trust?
supreme cour rulings used in arguments of the prosecution. Excerpts: In the case of Narita Rabe v Delsa M. Flores, the Supreme Court (SC) had ruled that Flores, an interpreter III of the Regional Trial Court branch IV of Panabo, Davao, was dismissed from service with forfeiture of all retirement benefits and accrued leave credits and with prejudice to re-employment in any branch or instrumentality of the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations. It was also in the Flores case where the SC stressed that “public office is a public trust.” “It is well to stress once again the constitutional declaration that a '(p)ublic office is a public trust’,” read the SC decision.
- Philstar.com:Fil-Chinese federation worried over bid to open CJ bank accounts
- Inquirer.net:Senate grants prosecution bid to summon CJ’s bank records
- RaissaRobles.com:Corona-led Supreme Court
OK’d jail for 2 SALN cheats
- Interaksiyon.com:Corona may sue prosecutors for disclosing bank records
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| feb 5, 2012 | Trial to resume tomorrow
It is a slow news day regarding imepeachment trial
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| feb 4, 2012 | Trial adjourned for Monday
- Rappler.com,udpated 8:09am:The prosecution's mistake according to Dean Tony La Viña of UP Law School
it woud be a better case for the prosecution if malice or intent on the part of the chief justice be proven in not filing a true, genuine and accurate SALN since this even makes it easier to prove that he committed culpable violation of the constitutional provision that says “public office is a public trust” and/or betrayed the public trust
- Inquirer,3:47AM:5 or 10 or 20 or 45, Corona did not declare these assets
Criticisms leveled at the prosecution panel for presenting lower than 45 properties missed the point, spokespersons for the prosecution said.
“They claimed we have lost the case because we only presented 25 and not 45 [properties]. But whether it is 5 or 10 or 20 or 45, the point is he did not disclose and declare them for years. And why were these declared at very low values? It’s like he’s hiding something, like where did he get the money to pay for these?” Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara said.
- Philstar, 12:00AM: Corona SALN accurate - defense
Excerpt:
“We are standing by it, that it (SALN) was accurate,” defense counsel Tranquil Salvador III said in Filipino. “When we lay our evidence, we will show that there is no basis (for their claims).”
He said that even if there is an incorrect entry in the SALN, proof of actual intent to deceive is needed before a concerned official can be held liable.
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| feb 3, 2012 | Trial adjourned for Monday
- Raissa Robles:Corona’s “not intentional” mistakes in his SALNs
quoting Corona: I believe that a member of the judiciary who is found guilty of dishonesty should not only be dismissed from the service but also disbarred. No ifs, no buts.
- Rappler.com Prosecution eyes CJ’S reimbursements.
- Inquirer, feb 3, 12:41AM:Empty seats, bored audience mark Day 11
- Inquirer, feb 3,12:45AM:No proof
on "45 assets" of Renato Corona
The prosecution’s disclosure on Thursday that it would be unable to present proof of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s supposed 45 properties has put it in “a very difficult situation,” according to the defense.
“It’s good that [this is] being brought up now. The truth is now out,” Ramon Esguerra, one of Corona’s lawyers, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer during a break in the 11th day of the trial.
- Philstar,feb 2 12:00am Prosecution :Corona undervalued assets
A P3.208-million Unit 21-D at the Burgundy Place in Loyola Heights in Quezon City has been found to be owned by Corona and his wife Cristina, based on testimony from Gregg Gregonia, vice president of Burgundy Realty Corp. The prosecution said Corona’s inaccurate declaration in his SALN of the value of his Burgundy Place unit is a violation of the Constitution. Corona acquired the property in 1997 but declared it in his SALN only in 2003 after completing payment for the unit.
In Corona’s SALN, the property’s assessed value was P276,320 while its current fair market value was P921,080.
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| feb 2, 2012 | Day 11
We were not able to catch the Feb 2 online news articles, except for Rappler.com which archives its past articles. We will do the Feb. 3, 2012 entries simultaneously
For the day's trial summary, visits Rappler.com: Day 11 trial highlights by the hour
- Interaksyon, 02-Feb-12, 12:30 PM : Coronas 'enjoyed' PAL privileges, but defense bucks bid to call airline execs
- Interaksyon, 02-Feb-12, 12:30 PM: Prosecutors find more Corona bank accounts : This might be explosive for the defense panel of Corona.
Rappler.com,updated Feb 2, 2012,10:51 : Making sense of Corona's income The rappler piece by Norberto Nazareno concludes: The Corona's had no other sources of income, since they did not file ITRs.The following info graphic may require the Corona's to explain: 
Excerpts: Possible conclusions
1.The earning capacity of spouses Corona cannot and will not support the substantial net worth they have accumulated, especially given the specifics of what they have so far disclosed in their SALNs and identified sources of income.
2. With the substantial disparity at face value of their accounting figures -- a much lower income level vis-à-vis bigger increments in net worth -- CJ Corona appears to have misrepresented under oath the value of his assets, liabilities, and net worth.
- Rappler,updated feb 2,10:56PM:Prosecution eyes CJ’s reimbursements
Excerpts:
The impeachment complaint states: “Respondent reportedly dipped his hands into public funds to finance personal expenses.”
“Numerous personal expenses that have nothing to do with the discharge of his official functions, such as lavish lunches and dinners, personal travels, and vacations, and fetes and parties have reportedly been charged by the respondent to judicial funds,” it added. – Rappler.com
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| Feb 1, 2012 | Day 10
Capsule summary of the day's proceedings: Rappler.com: coverage of day 10
Today's focus is on a family ownd corporation(Corona's wife) which reportedly lent Corona 11M of pesos, yet the corporation was dissolved in 2003, the same year Corona borrowed the money!
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| jan 31, 2012 | Day 9
Click on Rappler.com Day 9 Summary for a recap on what transpired at the Senate today
Today: It is all about the Megaworld Belagio condo unit of Corona, bought at 14.4 million in 2009.
Looks like a big loss for the prosecution claim that Corona got a 40 percent discount: Taking the witness stand on day 9 of the Corona impeachment trial, a senior executive of Megaworld debunked prosecution claims that the company granted the Chief Justice a hefty 40% discount when he bought a P14.5-M condominium unit in 2009. The condominium unit sustained water damage due to typhoon. But there is no proof yet that this really happened.
Hernandez, a senior executive at SM Megaworld, said the Bellagio unit has an original price of P24 million. But situation change and they reduced it about P19 million.
Megaworld further reduced the price to P10 million as the unit sustained damages during a typhoon.
Hernandez however said that it was not a practice of Megaworld to sell damage units to clients and the company is in the process of rectifying it.
"Apart from the damage,we compute and factor that in, and we opted to reduce the price of Bellagio," he said.
Looks too smooth. We really need proof that the unit was damaged and the damage cost reasonable.
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| jan 30, 2012 | Day 8 Trial resumes
Highly recommended for its capsule summary: Rappler Day 8 summary
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| jan 29, 2012 | Trial to resume Monday, January 30, 2012
Philstar: House won't amend complaint. The reasoning is that the charge of "illegal gotten wealth" is a conclusion (according to the presiding officer itself!) and the trial court has allowed the presentation of evidence about the SALN and the ITR, whether the records were honest: were the sum of the networth commensurate with the value of properties they bought?, and even the BIR may file a case against the daughter of Coronas for being able to buy a La Vista property WITHOUT any visible source of INCOME and may be charged with tax evasion!
We ask the BIR to file charges as soon as possible. Let problems pile up on the Coronas.
| | jan 28, 2012 | Trial adjourned, resumes on Monday January 30, 2012
- Inquirer.net:Senators view 100 witnesses too many
Blame Renato Corona for this! His hardened heart will never admit he ever did WRONG.
- IBP: Still no valid proof of ill-gotten wealth A lawyer, Romulo Makalintal asserts:
Chief Justice can afford to purchase millions worth of properties because he has been getting some P2.4 million per year from tax-exempt allowances for his being a member of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Senate Electoral Tribunal and House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.
He debunked the claim of Henares that Corona only receives an average of P600,000 per year based on the alpha list of taxpayers from the Supreme Court.
Millions in allowances alone??!! For how many years ? Is the total enough to buy expensive properties?
Do you think, at this stage, that it is high time Corona has to explain the disparity?
- Philstar:
Prosecution readies over 100 witnesses Please click on the link to view the list of witnesses.
- Philstar: No action vs Drilon
Excerpts:
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, presiding officer of the impeachment court, yesterday said he would not act on the defense motion asking Liberal Party stalwart Sen. Franklin Drilon to be disqualified as a judge for losing “open neutrality” during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“We will not act on that. I don’t know if they want to discuss that in the caucus. I will not even present that to the members of the court,” Enrile said.
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| jan 27, 2012 | Trial adjourned, resumes on Monday January 30, 2012
- Rappler.com: No consensus needed on 'standard of proof.
- Henares: BIR investigating Corona
- Inquirer: de Lima and Marquez among 18 prosecution witnesses in Corona trial
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez will be
will be among the 18 witnesses for the prosecution to testify against Chief Justice Renato Corona’s alleged betrayal of public trust over an aborted overseas medical travel of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband. . the relevant article is ARTICLE VII
RESPONDENT BETRAYED THE PUBLIC TRUST THROUGH HIS PARTIALITY IN GRANTING A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER (TRO) IN FAVOR OF FORMER PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO AND HER HUSBAND JOSE MIGUEL ARROYO IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE PROSECUTION AND TO FRUSTRATE THE ENDS OF JUSTICE, AND IN DISTORTING THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON THE EFFECTIVITY OF THE TRO IN VIEW OF A CLEAR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT’S OWN TRO.
- Newsbreak/rappler(1/26):SC Justice releases assets statement
Refreshing!
MANILA, Philippines - For the first time in decades, a Justice of the Supreme Court has voluntarily released his complete Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) to news organizations and civil society groups.
Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. directed Supreme Court Clerk of Court Enriqueta Esguerra-Vidal to release his SALN as of December 31, 2011,to various news and journalism media.
- Manila Time: Miriam blows top, Blood pressure shoots up
The feisty lady senator-judge has to go home early because her blood pressure went up to 180/90! We WARN any member of the prosecution panel to answer questions directly, else there might be a mistrial. - Manila Bulletin:Bank subpoena alarming-Enrile
Exerpt:
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile warned Thursday that the House prosecution panel is treading on dangerous ground when it asked the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to order banks to submit the supposed bank accounts of impeached Chief Justice Renato C. Corona and his wife, Cristina.
- Senators buck defective raps, warn of mistrial
Excerpt:
THE prosecution on Thursday received a double whammy from the Senate, with the senator-judges floating the idea of tossing back the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona to the House of Representatives for amendment of a “faulty” Article 2, and warning of a mistrial because spokesmen kept discussing the merits of the case outside the court.
- Philstar: Defense moves to inhibit Drilon"
Seneator Drilon already has indicated that he will NOT inhibit himself. We take this defense request as a delaying tactic and an afterthought after seeing the damage done by the release of the SALN of Corona. Yet they cannot deny that the SALN were among the documents subpoena by the impeachment court and even the presiding judge Enrile also asked the first witness to surrender the documents.
Let the defense handle the explosive release of financial records of Corona so we can know what kind of man is sitting in the Supreme Court.
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| jan 26, 2012 | Day 7
A lot of things happened today. A concise description (chronicle) of the day's events is in Rappler.com: #Corona trial: Day 7
- Philstar:Court prevents camps from disclosing docs
The Senate impeachment court reminded the defense and prosecution panels to prevent from disclosing documentary evidence to the media in the ouster proceeding against Chief Justice Renato Corona.
- Drilion refuses to inhibit self from senate-impeachment court, saying there is no bass
- Manila Times:Mrs. Corona purchased P11-million La Vista house
Exceprt:
CRISTINA Corona, wife of Chief Justice Renato Corona, did not declare any income with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and yet she bought a piece of property worth P11 million at the La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City (Metro Manila) in 2003, according to BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares.
Testifying at the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday, Henares said that Mrs. Corona registered as a one-time taxpayer for the property transaction in September 9, 2003.
- Inquirer: Corona's daughter able to buy La Vista property worth 18 Million of pesos in 20120 on income of only P8,476.00 Pesos in 2009!
Either something happened: a misstated amount or a nondisclosure of income. Either way, the conclusion going by Corona rule,
there is a presumption of illegal wealth if amounts declared in SALN does not cover the amount of expenses.
- BIR Commissioner denies discussing with prosecution panel about Corona's failure to file SALN.
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| jan 25, 2012 | Day 6, BIR commissioner testifies
Note: rappler.com has a record of the day's events. Plese click on Rappler.com: Day 6 of Chief Justice impeachment trial
- ABS-CBN news:Senate excludes ill gottten wealth clause
Excerpt:
Chief Justice Renato Corona won a key battle on day 6 of his impeachment trial after senator-judges struck down the ill-gotten wealth allegation in the impeachment complaint.
Senator-judges decided to drop article 2.4 of the complaint, which had been the rallying cry of the prosecution in their effort to seek a Corona conviction for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
Senator-judge Franklin Drilon said, however: "However, under article 2.4, which asserts that these are... that such properties could be ill-gotten, the court did not rule on that and will rely on the presumptions of evidence on the presumptions of law particularly, the anti-graft law."
- Bongbong: Senate used Corona ruling on Marcos wealth
ABS-CBN: Mrs. Corona bought P11M property with no income: BIR chief
Exerpt:
Kim Henares, Bureau of Internal Revenue testified that:
Mrs. Corona purchased an P11-million property at the posh La Vista subdivision in Quezon City in 2003 despite not having declared any income prior to the transaction
Mrs. Corona registered with the bureau as a one-time taxpayer for the property transaction in Sept. 9, 2003.
She was not registered as taxpayer. And therefore, for all legal purposes as far as BIR is concerned, she has not earned any income prior to Sept. 9, 2003.
- Inquirer:Sen. Santiago loses cool over ‘observer’ treatment
- BIR chief’s documentary evidence enough to presume Corona’s ‘ill-gotten wealth’—prosecution spokesman
- BIR chief’s documentary evidence enough to presume Corona’s ‘ill-gotten wealth’—prosecution
The SALN document should be tested if it was submitted on the day it was signed. It might have been doctored for all we know. Let us see if the SALN is truthful as the trial unfolds.
Inquirer.net: ‘Article 2’ row stalls Corona impeach trial
Excerpts:
A “vaguely” written and formulated accusation that Chief Justice Renato Corona had amassed ill-gotten wealth put the Senate impeachment court in a “quandary” Tuesday on whether to admit the prosecution evidence.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the presiding officer, noted that Article 2 of the impeachment complaint had been “expanded” by the prosecution from its original allegation that Corona committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayed the public trust by supposedly failing to disclose his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).
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GMANetwork BIR chief allowed to testify in impeachment trial but with limitations
GMANetwork: Prosecution: Corona's declared assets not supported by salary
Excerpts from this news item.
Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo, one of the prosecution’s spokesmen said that the prosecution was able to establish that Corona has no other means of income besides his earnings at the high court, since his assets are declared through the alpha list and not through ITRs.
He noted that under the Republic Act 1379 or the Forfeiture Law, assets that are larger than one’s income are “presumed to be ill gotten.”
“Nahuhuli na po namin ‘yung isda na napakalaki na sa tingin namin ay wala na karapatan na umupo sa Supreme Court,” he said.
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, meanwhile, said that the revelations made in Wednesday’s trial will make it “difficult” for the senators “to disallow the discussion” on Corona’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.
"This impeachment court has arrived at a decision. This court will allow the introduction of evidence on impeachment Article Number II, paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3 but not the introduction of evidence for paragraph 2.4," Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, presiding officer of the impeachment court, said at the start of Wednesday's trial. However, Sen. Franklin Drilon noted that "the court did not rule on that [paragraph 2.4] and will rely on the presumptions of law, particularly the Anti-Graft Law”. The paragraphs of Article II of the Articles of Impeachment mentioned by Enrile are: 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 Megaworld 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? We do not understand fully the basis of the Senate's ruling on Sec. 2.4. This subsection will help determine whether CJ Corona is morally fit for the position of Chief Justice.
GMANetwork: Court disallows presentation of evidence on Corona's Ill Gotten Wealth
- Philstar: Defense blocks ITR presentation
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| jan 24, 2012 | Day 5
We were not able to watch cable TV today since we have classes. But here is a summary of what transpired today.
- Tatad wants to disqualify Sen. Franklin Drilon
- Philstar:Prosecution discloses more properties of Corona in Quezon City
- Philstar: Prosecution told to muster evidence
- No ill-gotten wealth in Article 2
Defense panel reiterated that the prosecution failed to include the ill-gotten wealth accusation in the Article 2 of Impeachment.
Article 2 of Impeachment stated: “Failure to disclose to the public his (Corona) statements of assets and liabilities and networth as required under Section 17, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution.” We ask Cuevas if he knows how to read selectively! Read Sec 2.4.
- Prosecution gets admonition from Senator-Judge Miriam Defensor Santiago.
The good senator asked both prosecution and defense panels on the total number of witnesses they wanted to present in the entire trial.
The defense said they have 15 witnesses while the head prosecutor Niel Tupas only shook his head (no answer).
Sources Summary: |
| jan 23, 2012 | Trial to resume Tomorrow, Jan 24
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| jan 22, 2012 | Trial to resume on Tuesday, Jan 24
Suggested Readings:
| | jan 21, 2012 | Trial to resume on Tuesday, Jan 24
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| jan 20, 2012 |
Trial adjourned for Tuesday
- Inquirer:Defense panel decries Drilon "recue" , his questioning impressed the clerk of court to surrender Corona's SALN which she carried that day! Drilon should be commended instead for making the impeachment trial smoother with no delays!
- Rappler.com, Maritess Vitug: interpretation of the dazzling SALN files submission!
- Rappler.com: Corona's undervalued properties
- Business Mirror: Binay warns vs shortcuts in Corona trial
- Inquirer: Call for Escudero to inhibit for lawyering for Chief Justice
- Carpio, Sereno annoy justices for violating court rules on SALN I don't know if philnews is publishing this news item as a sort of mild joke
- Inquirer: Impeach court starts retracing Corona’s ascent to Supreme Court
- Inquirer: Coronal lied in his SALN
- Philstar: Judiciary can't continue hiding behind cloak of fiscal autonomy'The judiciary can no longer hide behind the “cloak of fiscal autonomy” on alleged irregularities involving the use of a portion of a $21.9-million loan from the World Bank (WB), Malacañang said yesterday.
- Philstar: SALN enough to convict Corona? The prosecutors also said that through Corona’s SALN, they would be able to prove that the Chief Justice had amassed ill-gotten wealth.
“The SALNs will show the intentional effort of deceit on the part of the Chief Justice. Honesty, integrity, independence – those are the virtues stated in the Constitution of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. So if he cannot even declare his assets in his SALN, he betrays public trust and should be removed. That’s the main point of Article 2 (of the impeachment complaint),” a member of the prosecution panel said.
- Land registrars: CJ, kin own propertiesThe trial is progressing but at a slow pace by the interjection of the defense panel lawyer Serafin Cuevas, which is expected!
- Philstar: Enrile, Drilon deny Senators lawyering for opposition Let's give our impeachment court the benefit of a little respect. Without their guidance, the SALNs of CJ Corona will not even be released!
| | jan 19, 2012 | Day 4
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| jan 18, 2012 | Day 3
- Cuevas protest that ill-gotten-wealth not among articles of impeachment The defense panel lawyer states that only non-disclosure of SALN is among the articles of impeachment. But the prosecution panel reminded him that
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?
- SC clerk-of-court finally submit Corona's SALN to Impeachment Court After initial reluctance, the "hostile witness agreed to turn over the Chief Justice SALN, which was with her all the time!
See more: Philstar: Corona okays SALN submission.
Tomorrow, we shall hear about the testimonies of Register of Deeds and Assessors of various city of Quezon City, Marikina City, Makati City, Taguig City, Pasay City, and Paranaque City.
- World bank confirms memo on SC funds! . The problem: when will the World Bank release the official report?
- Philstar. 12:00am: House team fails to present evidence The first article should be tackled first, about the partiality of Corona towards former president GM Arroyo, but the prosecution panel wanted the second article (failure to file SALN and illegal gotten wealth) to be presented first.
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| jan 17, 2012 | Day 2
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| jan 16, 2012 | Day 1
Have we been fooled?World Bank disowns JRSP report
Who are the people behind then of the release? Is the information true? Click on
World Bank.org Philippines page for latest information.
The impeachment trial starts with Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile making the opening statement with an exhortation for no delays. Two lady senators were absent, one of which is the fiery lady Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (for high blood pressure) and Sen. Loren Legarda(to attend to her mother's colon cancer operation).
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| jan 15, 2012 |
- Philstar,Aurea Calica,12:00 AM: Palace to SC: Leave Congress alone on CJ Let the trial begin!
Inquirer, Christian V. Esguerra, Norman Bordadora: Corona plans to face accusers at Senate It is all go for CJ Renato Corona to appear at the Senate Impeachment Court tomorrow January 16, 2012 at 2:00 AM! (We hope so.)
Inquirer.net,Michael Ubac,1:12 AM:World Bank: Loan to Supreme Court high risk A total of 930.75 million peso loan to increase efficiency has been used mostly for travelling and attending conferences instead! A World Bank review uncovered, among others, “inaccurate/incomplete information” on the project’s financial management report, “diminished existing internal check-and-balance mechanism,” purchase of information technology equipment outside of the agreed procurement plan, and the practice of borrowing funds from the loan for the justices’ foreign travels, paid to a travel agency owned by lawyer Estelito Mendoza.
Philstar, Ben Serrano, 12:00 AM: Exposé on properties just tip of the iceberg
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| jan 14, 2012 | Manila Standard, Cecilio Arillo: Corona impeachment is Aquino’s legal quagmire
Philstar: SC warned vs meddling in trial!
Prosecutors may charge Corona for possession of "ill gotten wealth" even if he donate assets found to be undeclared.
Corona assets worth P200M
Corona replies: This is a hoax! We are a family of no ordinary means!
Rappler.com: Return 8.6 million, WB tells SC
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| Jan 13,2012 |
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