PRESIDENT'S BUDDY BEHIND ASSETS EXPOSÉ
[EARLIER PHOTO - In this Monday,
Dec. 5, 2011 photo provided by Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippine President
Benigno Aquino III, left, addresses the 1st National Criminal Justice Summit in
Manila, Philippines, as Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, right, and
Anti-Graft Court Presiding Justice Francisco Villaluz Jr., center, listen. The
Philippine House of Representatives has impeached the Supreme Court chief
justice over alleged corruption and favoritism toward arrested ex-President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. A majority of the 284 members of the powerful House
signed a resolution to impeach Chief Justice, officials said Monday, Dec. 12.
(AP Photo/Malacanang Photo Bureau, Gil Nartea) EDITORIAL USE
ONLY, NO SALES ]
MANILA, JANUARY 15, 2012 (TRIBUNE)
By Fernan J. Angeles and Ted Boehnert - The allies of President Aquino stepped
up their demolition job against Chief Justice Renato Corona revealing yesterday
a supposed World Bank memorandum supposedly citing the improper use of a
$21-million loan granted to the Supreme Court meant for judicial reforms that
House prosecutors said will bolster calls to impeach Corona that was quickly
backed up with a resolution from Aquino chief ally Sen. Franklin Drilon, dated
nearly a week ago, for a Senate investigation into the allegation.
Even before his historic impeachment trial begins tomorrow, Corona found
himself the subject of yet another attack following the disclosure of an aide
memoire from the international financial institution questioning the Supreme
Court's misuse of funds intended to reform the country's judicial system.
[EARLIER PHOTO - Supporters of embattled Philippine
Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona display black balloons as they listen
to him at a rally Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 at the Supreme Court in Manila,
Philippines. Corona has warned that President Benigno Aquino III's moves to oust
him could lead to a dictatorship and vowed to defend himself in an impeachment
trial come January 2012. (AP Photo/Bullit
Marquez)]
Marikina City Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo, spokesman for the prosecution team
of the House of Representatives, viewed the World Bank findings with grave
concern because of its impact on the standing of the Philippines before the
international lending institutions helping the country in its agenda for
reforms.
"It is a shame that no less than Chief Justice Corona is embroiled in the
irregular use of funds provided by the World Bank as pointed out in its aide
memoire," Quimbo said. "The misuse of funds by the chief magistrate embarrassed
not only the Supreme Court but also the entire nation."
Drilon then called for a Senate investigation saying the supposed
irregularity, if left unchecked, could "prejudice the standing and credit
worthiness" not only of the Supreme Court but also the entire government before
international financial institutions.
[PHOTO - Muslim protesters shout slogans during a rally
outside the Supreme Court in Manila where embattled Philippine Supreme Court
Chief Justice Renato Corona has just addressed the crowd of lawyers and judges
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011 in the Philippines. Corona has warned that President
Benigno Aquino III's moves to oust him could lead to a dictatorship and vowed to
defend himself in an impeachment trial come January 2012. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)]
Drilon had filed Senate Resolution 674 last Jan. 9 calling on Senate
Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures to look into circumstances
surrounding the World Bank loan to the Supreme Court, particularly into reports
that the funds were mismanaged and disbursed in a manner contrary to the
agreement between the two institutions.
In his resolution, Drilon said the loan was approved by the World Bank's
board of executive directors on Oct. 2, 2003 to finance the Judicial Reform
Support Project (JRSP), which sought to enhance the judiciary's efficiency and
integrity. However, Drilon added, the World Bank reportedly raised some concerns
later on how the project was implemented and expressed serious reservations on
how the funds were disbursed.
"There are reports that the World Bank recently rendered an opinion to the
effect that since the mid-2010, progress in attaining the development objectives
of the JRSP and its implementation have been rated 'unsatisfactory,' with the
fiduciary environment pertaining to the project deteriorating to a point that
the JRSP has been rated 'high risk' on project management, project procurement
and financial management decisions," the Drilon resolution said.
"The World Bank allegedly noted that several procurement of goods were
undertaken without prior agreement and in some cases, even against the approval
of the Bank, resulting to the present situation wherein further expenditures,
must be undertaken only with the prior agreement of the Bank, in writing, and
reflected in the agreed procurement plan," the resolution added.
In the resolution, Drilon noted that the World Bank "reportedly stressed that
the lack of appropriate segregation of duties of key Supreme Court officials
involved in the project broke the control environment, increased fiduciary and
reputational risks and led to irregular or inappropriate procurement and
expenditure decisions."
"The circumstances, if found true, could prejudice the standing and
credit-worthiness not only of the Supreme Court, but the national government as
a whole, before such international financial institutions like the World Bank
and curtail the inflow of much-needed loans and other monetary assistance," the
resolution further said.
Drilon said financial arrangements like the JRSP loan "constitute a future
financial drain on the already limited monetary resources at the disposal of the
government."
"There is a need to closely monitor the management and disbursement of such
funds and institute improved safeguards in future general appropriation measures
to prevent undue dissipation of the already limited government monetary
resources," the resolution said.
"The power of the purse as exercised by Congress carries with it the power to
institute safeguards to curb wanton and negligent spending on any branch of the
government," Drilon explained. "Whether the funding sources come from taxes or
foreign loans, it is the duty of Congress to ensure that every centavo is
responsibly spent."
"Chief Justice Corona owes the World Bank and the Filipino people an
explanation as to why these funds had been misdirected other than its original
purpose, which is to reform the judicial system in the country," Quimbo added.
A memorandum from the World Bank showed portion of the $21-million loan it
granted the high court in 2011 for judicial reforms had been used for other
purposes such as local and foreign trips of some court officials.
According to the World Bank, it appeared that plane fares for some members of
the tribunal who went to Cebu on March 18, 2011 were taken from the loan.
The World Bank also questioned the travel allowance of two court
officials, which reached P170,000 or $4,000 each for a three-day trip to Sydney,
Australia. The amount was on top of the lavish room accommodations and dinners
also shouldered by the Supreme Court.
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, deputy spokesman of the House
prosecution panel, said the World Bank findings were "a welcome development" in
their bid to remove Corona from office through impeachment.
"We could use the World Bank memo as evidence in proving the eighth article
of impeachment against Corona, which pertains to his refusal to account for the
judicial development funds, special allowances and other court collections,"
Angara pointed out.
Impeachment prosecutors alleged that Corona failed and withheld the status of
the Judicial Development Fund (JDF) and the Special Allowance for the Judiciary
(SAJ) to the National Treasury, amounting to P5.83 billion.
They also wanted Corona to be held accountable for the supposed misreporting
of funds amounting to P559 million in allowances, general fund and JDF from
careless preparation of bank reconciliation statements.
These acts of Corona, they said, were in violation of the policy of
transparency, accountability and good governance.
Meanwhile, the request by the prosecution in the impeachment case of Corona
when it asked the Senate impeachment court to subpoena his wife and children to
"explain alleged real properties in his name" was a wrong move, noted election
lawyer Romulo Macalintal said.
Macalintal said that, firstly, he was sure that the Liberal Party-dominated
prosecution would "never accept any explanation favorable to Corona."
"Secondly, under the law, spouses cannot be compelled to testify against each
other and the same is true for children who cannot be compelled to testify
against their parents under Rule 130 of the Rules of Court," stressed Macalintal
who was an impeachment analyst during the impeachment of former President Joseph
Estrada.
Macalintal added the Senate court has no other recourse but to allow Corona's
motion for preliminary hearing, a remedy which he said is allowed under the
Rules of Court which will be "suppletorily applied" to the impeachment court's
own rules, according to Section 6 of said rules.
"But there's no assurance the SIC will dismiss the impeachment complaint
after such hearing since Corona will take up factual issues which could be
better resolved in the trial proper where evidence and counter-evidence will be
adduced by both parties," added Macalintal, petitioner in the Davide impeachment
case.
Malacañang said it has every reason to believe that Corona isn't being
truthful in his declarations contained in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities
and Networth (SALn).
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail Valte said they have records that said
Corona was worth "P13-plus million" when he left the executive branch in 2002
for the Supreme Court, amid reports that Corona may have acquired prime
properties worth up to P200 million.
"Ang net worth at the time he left the executive was P13-plus million,
na-verify namin yan... (The) records we have, the figures are accurate," she
said.
Valte added that it is now up to Corona, whose impeachment trial before the
Senate starts on Monday, to explain how he acquired several properties. Earlier
reports indicated some 45 prime properties Corona allegedly acquired were worth
P200 million. The reports cited "documents of the Land Registration Authority
(LRA) obtained from unimpeachable sources."
Corona branded the list of 45 properties a "hoax" and "black propaganda."
"We are not passing judgment but allow me to reiterate the LRA is the
repository of all land and condo titles in the Philippines. I am not a broker so
I cannot make assessments on the value of land, but let's see how this will be
part of the trial," Valte said.
Valte also disputed claims by Corona's supporters that the impeachment
process signals the death of democracy, saying it is instead an interplay
showing democracy is alive. She said this is a case of the legislative checking
a member of the judiciary. Gerry Baldo
AQUINO BUDDY BEHIND CJ PROPERTY EXPOSÉ By Benjamin B.
Pulta - DAILY TRIBUNE - MANILA - It seems the revelations over Chief Justice Renato
Coronas alleged excessive wealth, including the list of supposed 45 titles to
his properties, were the handiwork of the so-called Kaibigan, Kaklase and
Kabarilan (KKK) (friends, classmates and shooting buddies) network of President
Aquino.
The use of the Executive Departments resources, particularly by the
presidents classmates and friends to backstop Malacaangs agenda in ousting
Corona, was revealed by a source in the SC who declined to be identified, saying
the recent supposed lists of documents on properties owned by Coronas family and
released by the Land Registration Authority (LRA), an agency under the
Department of Justice (DoJ), were done with a lot of help from a close friend of
Aquino who now heads the agency.
The LRAs present administrator Eulalio Diaz III was a classmate and
close friend of the president since grade school and is part of the Ateneo Law
class of 1985 along with executive secretary Paquito Ochoa and Senator Teofisto
TG Guingona III.
Other members of the class include Bureau of Internal Revenue Kim Henares,
Florencio Abad and Edward Serapio.
Every one knows how hard it is to transact with that agency but as it turns
out its not that hard when the documents are needed for the presidents personal
vendetta, the source said.
Corona earlier denounced this as a blatant attempt at a smear campaign the
recent public statement of the House prosecution panel alleging no less than 45
unreported titles supposedly belonging to the magistrate.
Earlier, the CJ had scored the prosecution for the list of properties, saying
that they (President Aquino and his allies) are trying to portray him as a
thief, adding: I am not a thief like them.
In a statement, Corona pointed out that the list includes several titles for
one and the same property, or parking slots for one and the same condominium
unit.
In some cases, the titles are in the name of persons I do not even know, he
added.
In others, properties belonging to my balaes (daughter-in-laws parents) are
listed and claimed to be mine. There are many repetitive entries to make the
list deliberately long to create a false and misleading impression about my
assets, Corona complained.
As I have repeatedly declared, my SALn (Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Networth) contains all the properties that I own all five of them, he said and
described the list from the Land Registration Authority (LRA) enumerating 45
titles as black propaganda (meant) to poison the peoples minds.
I condemn this list of titles as a hoax, calculated to cleverly inflict
maximum damage to me in the eyes of the public. By its sheer number alone, it
smacks of bad faith and deception, Corona said.
I have concealed nothing. I will expose the malice and the black propaganda
behind this hoax of a list from LRA at the right time and place, and accordance
with the correct procedure it he Impeachment court, he stressed.
Some of the listed owners inthe LRA list requested and given to lead
prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas included in the list of properties are those that do
not even carry the name of Corona or his in-laws, such as one in the name of
Ismael Mathay, another in the name of Burgundy Realty Corp; another in the name
of National Housing Authority. Yet another to family members of Constatino
Castillo, simply because a daughter of Corona is married to a Castillo. More: A
TCT in the name of Eugenia Coronado as well as a Dante Encina.
The Chief Justice also said that the impeachment proceeding is linked to the
recent Supreme Court decision on the fate of the sprawling Hacienda Luisita
estate in Tarlac province which is owned by the Aquino-Cojuangco clan.
That is very clear. It is the Hacienda Luisitas Supreme Court ruling that
they (President Aquino, his allies and his House prosecutors) want reversed.
There can be no other motive, Corona told reporters yesterday.
But I bear no grudge. What I know is how to forgive, he added. The head
magistrate said his resignation is out of the question.
Corona had said his impeachment had a lot to do with the recent SC
decision on the fate of the sprawling Hacienda Luisita estate in Tarlac province
which is owned by the Aquino-Cojuangco clan.
That is very clear. It is the Hacienda Luisitas Supreme Court ruling that
they (President Aquino, his allies and his House prosecutors) want to be
reversed. There can be no other motive, Corona told reporters yesterday.
But I bear no grudge.What I know is how to forgive, he added.
Corona attended mass with his children yesterday at the Supreme Court.
The head magistrate said his resignation is out of the question.
The House prosecution panel yesterday vouched for the authenticity of the
documents released by the Land Registration Authority pertaining to the 45
properties that are allegedly owned by Corona.
Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo said that Corona should face the issue of his
alleged properties at the Senate Impeachment Court. He was reacting to a
statement issued by the Chief Justice that if they find his properties, he issue
a deed of donation.
The Chief Justices response evades the question of whether the properties
identified are ill-gotten or not. He should answer that, said Quimbo in an
interview.
Corona said he would execute a deed of donation if the prosecution can find
the properties whose ownership being alleged to ne his.
But Quimbo said that Corona does not need to execute the deed of donation
because the impeachment process and the existing laws will automatically forfeit
his alleged properties if proven ill-gotten during the trial.
Besides, there is no need to look for the properties They have already been
found: 45 of them all over Metro Manila alone! There is no need to donate
because under the law, they will be forfeited anyway if it is proven that it is
ill gotten. Thats why he needs to explain, Quimbo pointed out.
They failed to explain, however, why the LRA included in the list, properties
that are not even in the name of Corona, but in the name of even the National
Housing Authority and Burgundy Realty. Among other listed properties.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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rights reserved
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