MANILA, JANUARY
15,
2012 (STAR) By Paolo Romero - Here's a brief
profile of each of the House prosecutors:
• Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya
Abaya, the great grandson of the first Philippine president, Emilio
Aguinaldo, finished his elementary education at the De La Salle University and
was a consistent honor student at the Philippine Science High School. He entered
the University of the Philippines for college but topped the entrance
examination for the Philippine Military Academy that he was sent by the
government to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he earned his
Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1988. He then proceeded to Cornell
University in Ithaca, New York and completed a Master's degree in Electrical
Engineering. He took up law at the Ateneo de Manila University and was admitted
to the Philippine Bar in 2007.
• Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao
Aggabao studied at the La Sallete School in Santiago, Isabela during his
elementary and high school days and obtained his B.S. Commerce degree major in
Accounting at the De La Salle University (DLSU) in 1975. He obtained his
Bachelor of Laws at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1980. He was a provincial
board member from 1992 to 1995 and in 1998 to 2001 in his province. He also
worked as a Bar reviewer at the College of Law at the Far Eastern University,
lecturer at the College of Commerce at DLSU, and associate attorney at the
Siguion-Reyna, Montecillo and Ongsiako Law Offices.
• Akbayan party-list Rep. Arlene Bag-ao
Bag-ao obtained her law degree at the Ateneo de Manila University in 1993
after studying college at the De La Salle University. She graduated from the
South Eastern College in 1985. She was a convenor of the Alternative Law Group.
She once worked as a special consultant at the Department of Agrarian Reform
that facilitated that awarding of numerous land titles to farmer-beneficiaries.
She is however known for her work as the lead counsel of the Sumilao farmers
from Bukidnon who walked for 1,700 kilometers from Bukidnon to Manila to claim
rights to their lands against a large corporation.
• Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.
Barzaga graduated valedictorian from the Dasmariñas Elementary School. For
his secondary education, he was valedictorian of the Class 1966 of the
Immaculate Conception Academy. After earning his bachelor's degree in Commerce
Major in Accounting as cum laude from San Beda College, he completed his
Bachelor of Laws degree from the Far Eastern University (FEU) as magna cum laude
while working. He taught law at FEU and was also a Bar reviewer while engaged in
private practice as a certified public accountant and lawyer.
• Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares
Colmenares is a long-time human rights lawyer, constitutionalist and expert
on international humanitarian law. He was among the youngest political detainees
during martial law. Prior to joining the legal profession, he was a student
activist. He finished his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at San Beda College and
completed his law degree at the University of the Philippines. He is completing
his Doctorate in Law with Melbourne University on the International Criminal
Court and the Legal System Impediments to Prosecution of Human Rights Violators.
He was arrested twice for his student activism by virtue of an Arrest, Search
and Seizure Order (ASSO) issued by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.
Colmenares was imprisoned and tortured for four years during martial law.
• Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza
Daza graduated cum laude from the University of the East with a degree in
Business Administration. He also graduated cum laude from the University of the
Philippines College of Law. He placed 11th in the 1958 Bar examinations and is a
lifetime member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. He was a member of the
State Bar of California, USA and was the first Filipino to pass both California
Attorney and Certified Public Accountant examinations without formal education
in that country. He is a life member of the Philippine Institute of Certified
Public Accountants. He was a governor of the province from 2001 to 2010.
• Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas
Fariñas was a consistent honor student during his elementary and secondary
school days. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree at the Ateneo de Manila
University and took up law at the same school where he graduated with honors. He
placed eighth in the 1978 Bar examinations. He began his political career as
Laoag City mayor at 28 and later became the province's governor for several
years where he was cited for his work by various private organizations.
• Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas
Primicias-Agabas was former vice governor of the province and currently
chairs the House committee on the revision of laws. She is a granddaughter of
former senator Cipriano Primicias Sr. She took up college at the University of
Sto. Tomas and obtained her law degree at the San Beda College of Law. She began
her political career as municipal councilor of San Nicolas town. She is a member
of the Federacion International de Abogadas and the Women Lawyers Association of
the Philippines.
• Citizens' Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna
Tugna finished his B.S. Commerce degree at the University of Santo Tomas in
1998. In 2002, he took up his Juris Doctor at the Ateneo School of Law and
graduated in 2006. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2007. He worked as
junior associate lawyer at the law firm Angara Abello Concepion Regala and Cruz
Law Offices. Thereafter, he joined the firm of Puyat Jacinto and Santos Law
Offices as a junior associate lawyer. Eventually, he put up his own law firm
Tugna Jala and Associates Law Offices in 2009.
• Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas
Tupas is the head of the prosecution panel of the House of Representatives.
As chairman of the House committee on justice, he steered the successful
impeachment of former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. He is also a member of the
powerful Judicial and Bar Council that screens nominees to members of the
Judiciary.
• Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali
Currently vice chairman of the House committees on ways and means, good
government and public accountability, justice, and constitutional amendments,
Umali took up law at the San Beda College and the Manuel L. Quezon University.
His pre-law was Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University and took up
management courses at the University of Southern California on a scholarship
grant. He was deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Customs from 2007 to 2010 and
was also executive director of the Run After The Smugglers (RATS) Group in 2009
to 2010. He also was a managing partner of Westwood Law office in 1998 and
managing partner of Umali, Soriano and Associates. Umali also worked at the
National Economic Development Authority in various capacities from 1979 to 1985.
List of private lawyers:
Marlon Manuel
Magis Mendoza
Joeven Dellosa
Reagan de Guzman
Levy Ang
Jan Perry Eugenio
Peter Leo Mendiola
Marl Chester Ti
Jane Laarni Pichay
Esteban Mendoza
Gilbert Viloria
Conrado Sarmiento
Michelle Ann Erum
Pedro Aquino
Mario Valderrama
Jenny Vi Buslig
Henedino Brondial
Rex Rico
Renato Samonte Jr.
Jose Luis Rey Munsayac
Manuel Manuel
Max Banares Jr.
Michael Millares
Ariel Radovan
Arjay Peralta
Harry Roque Jr.
Joel Butuyan
Roger Rayel
Romel Bagares
Dexter Donne Dizon
Allan Jones Lardizabal
Gilbert Andres
Federico Roxas II
Norma Singson-De Leon
Claro Mamaril
Vitaliano Aguirre II
Arthur Lim
Jose Justiniano
Augusto Panlilio
Gregorio Batiller
Winston Ginez
Xerxes Cortel
Clarence Jandoc
John Roldan
Frederick Vallestero
Ernesto Viovicente
Vanessa Maguigad
Jovenio Evangelista
Cristina Yambot
Al Parreno
Emil Capulong
Cheryl Daytec
Janne Baterna
Ramon Te
Bodie Naval
Rosario Bautista
Lauro Gacayan
'Exposé on properties just tip of the iceberg'
(The Philippine Star) Updated January 15, 2012 12:00 AM
CEBU CITY ,Philippines – A lawyer who is among the volunteers of the House
prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona
declared yesterday that their initial evidence against the chief magistrate is
just the "tip of the iceberg."
Lawyer Aristotle Batuhan was referring to the evidence already made public by
the House panel on the supposed condominium units of Corona.
Batuhan belongs to one of the legal teams created to help the House
prosecution secure Corona's impeachment.
Batuhan, however, did not elaborate on the evidence, saying it would be
better to have them presented during the impeachment trial which starts
tomorrow.
"Corona's plummeting trust and approval ratings indicate that the public
believes in the process of impeaching him and are convinced that he is unfit to
hold the position of chief justice and therefore want him impeached," Batuhan
said.
One of the House prosecutors, Citizens' Battle Against Corruption party-list
Rep. Sherwin Tugna, also said the "quantum of proof" against Corona is strong
and that his lawyers are expected to steer the proceedings like a criminal
trial.
Tugna, however, maintained the impeachment trial is sui generis or a class of
its own – neither a criminal nor an administrative proceeding.
"Our point is that we are only determining the fitness of a person to hold
office. He (Corona) will not be imprisoned, he will just be removed," he said.
"So we believe preponderance of evidence against him is enough like in a
civil case where there is a scale and where the evidence is heaviest or tilts,
that is where the decision will come from," Tugna said.
He said that is why the defense lawyers would want to make the proceedings in
the Senate like a criminal trial so that admissibility of evidence would be
strict.
He cited the case of the Bellagio condominium property of the Coronas that
the defense lawyers said should not be admitted since it is not part of the
eight charges against the Chief Justice.
"But our argument would be on the relevancy (of the ownership documents) in
the case of his failure to file his SALN (statement of assets, liabilities and
net worth), and not inadmissibility as the defense lawyers would likely argue,"
Tugna said.
He said another tack the defense lawyers might take tomorrow is to file a
motion to dismiss the charges or to stop the trial.
"They are battle-tested lawyers, while some of us are weekend warriors so I
have been studying hard for this," Tugna said.
Tugna and Marikina City Rep. Romero Quimbo called on Corona to take the easy
way out and resign.
Tugna said it is not too late for Corona to resign especially that more and
more reports of his alleged wrongdoings are coming out in the media.
Quimbo said resignation is entirely a personal choice for Corona. "In the
end, he will always have to think what is best for the institution that he is
serving," he said.
Formidable defense
Even if the evidence against Corona is strong, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo
Angara, spokesman for the 11-member House prosecution panel, said they cannot
let their guard down because the chief magistrate has a formidable defense team.
Angara said Corona's lawyers are well known in the legal profession for their
expertise and experience in litigation and other legal battles.
"We can expect a difficult trial. His lawyers will use every trick, every
technicality to acquit him, hide the truth or even stop the trial," Angara said.
He cited the comments of former Justice Serafin Cuevas, the head of Corona's
defense team, that the Chief Justice cannot be summoned to testify in his own
trial because he has the right against self-incrimination.
The same is the case for Corona's wife and children, who cannot be expected
to testify against him in connection with his alleged ill-gotten wealth, Angara
said.
"Our point is that we wish they (defense team) would waive that right
(against self-incrimination) and let them tell the truth," Angara said.
"We are definitely not taking them for granted, they are very skilful
lawyers," he said.
Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada, also a member of the prosecution team, said they
would first make the presentation of evidence during which they expect the
defense lawyers to make various motions to weaken the prosecution's
presentation.
Tañada said the senator-judges are also expected to vote on every motion to
be raised by lawyers of both sides.
"But (Corona's lawyers) cannot shield themselves or block things with
technicalities and we are prepared for them," he said.
Tañada also challenged Corona to keep his promise to donate all his
properties if they are proven to be ill-gotten.
The prosecutors alleged that Corona has 45 properties based on the records of
the Land Registration Authority (LRA). Corona has denied the allegations.
"Well, let us see. We will wait until the impeachment hearing," Tañada said.
"On the challenge of Chief Justice Corona that he will sign deed of donations
for his alleged 45 properties if proven to be his, well, we will be happy to
accept these for the people and we will sell these for benefit of the state," he
added. Tañada said Corona should just disclose how he acquired the 45
properties.
He also challenged Corona to disclose his Statement of Assets Liabilities and
Net Worth (SALN), which have been withheld from the public since 2002 when he
was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court.
Speaking before an Impeachment Forum held Friday at Fr. Urios University in
Butuan City, Tañada said the last time Corona disclosed his SALN was in 2001
with only five properties listed in his name.
Tañada told the forum that the prosecution team is digging deeper to find out
where Corona found the resources to acquire the properties.
Explain wealth
Malacañang said Corona has a lot of explaining to do with regard to the
properties he allegedly accumulated since only P13.9 million was reflected in
his SALN in 2002 or before he joined the SC.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Corona must be able to
justify how he managed to acquire properties worth P200 million based on
reports.
Valte said based on records, Corona declared a net worth of only P13.9
million in 2002 and a government official of 20 years could have not afforded
such luxurious properties with the income he was getting.
"Well, that has to be justified as to how he was able to acquire that
considering that he has been in government for 20 years," Valte said over radio
dzRB.
"And if so, all his tax returns must reflect his capacity to pay," Valte
said.
"We do not want to pass judgment but allow me to reiterate that (the) Land
Registration Authority is the repository of all the titles, of all land titles
and condominium titles in the Philippines. They are the ones who keep that, they
are the ones who authenticate (and determine) whether titles are fake or not. So
let's just see how that will come out," Valte said.
She said she herself cannot make a proper assessment of the values of the
properties.
"But let us see how that will be part of trial," she said.
Malacañang earlier called on all government officials to submit their SALNs
as part of transparency and accountability.
Valte said the Department of the Interior and Local Government had even asked
local officials to fully disclose their financial activities as required by the
law.
"Part of the DILG's mandate is to ensure that local government leaders are
compliant to the law's mandate," Valte said.
Tañada also called on all officials and personnel from the three branches of
government to make public their SALNs.
Tañada said that while the Constitution clearly states that all public
officials are publicly accountable, there are different policies and rules on
how each public official should disclose his SALN.
"The Chief Justice thinks that he is beyond reach of anyone and this is where
lies why this impeachment process had to go through. Of course, all of us in
government from the President, Vice President, members of constitutional bodies,
Ombudsman, the judiciary and members of legislative are all accountable to the
people although we have go through different processes" Tañada said.
He said it is not a sin for public officials and personnel to own real estate
properties provided no ill-gotten wealth is involved in their acquisition.
"For Chief Justice Corona, his non-disclosure of his SALN was based on then
Chief Justice Andres Narvasa's 1990 memorandum order to exempt members of the
Supreme Court (and) not obliging them to disclose their SALN so that they will
not be subject for harassment, fishing expedition. Our position for that is we
in the legislative are also the subject of harassment, but it does not mean we
have no obligation to publicly disclose our SALN," he said.
'Scholarly ignorance'
Malacañang dismissed Corona's claim that the release of the list of his
assets was black propaganda.
Valte also lashed out at retired archbishop Oscar Cruz for saying that the
impeachment trial of Corona was nothing but "political gimmickry."
"How can it be political gimmickry when there are solid allegations... in the
articles of impeachment," Valte said.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also sent a text message to dzRB while
Valte was being interviewed.
Lacierda asked Cruz to refrain from commenting on issues that he was not
aware of.
"In addition to reading the Bible, please read the Constitution and the
deliberations. It will show your scholarly ignorance on matters you are
commenting on," Lacierda said.
Valte added the public would just have to monitor the impeachment trial and
decide.
"The ones who will decide and make the final analysis will be the
senator-jurors. Let the evidence be presented and the defense, how the lawyers
of Chief Justice Corona will defend him," she said.
Valte added Malacañang would not be distracted from other things that must be
done while the impeachment process was taking place.
"Of course, the President did say that we will be monitoring what will be
happening in the impeachment trial. But on the side of the executive, it's
business as usual. Our work continues," she said. - Mitchelle Palaubsanon/The Freeman, Paolo Romero, Aurea Calica, Ben
Serrano
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All
rights reserved
PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
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