CJ's TESTIMONY DRAWS MIXED REACTIONS
/ 'HACIENDERONG PANGULO BEHIND MY PERSECUTION'
MANILA, MAY
24, 2012 (STANDARD) by Joyce
Pangco Panares - CHIEF Justice Renato Corona's testimony at his impeachment
trial Tuesday drew mixed reactions, with the Palace saying he showed a lack of
understanding of public accountability and the administration's critics saying
he acquitted himself well.
"Having been given his day in court, he has demonstrated how lacking he is in
understanding the institutions that have been called to hold him to account to
the people," deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said in a statement.
She said it in response to Corona's charges that the administration had
mobilized the entire government machinery to pin him down.
"The Chief Justice does not understand that the quest for accountability is
not a personal attack against him, but rather the proper exercise of the
obligation to punish offenses against the people," Valte said.
She said what united all the branches of government was "justice for all."
"Accountability escapes no one," Valte said.
"This is what is meant by the rule of law and a regime of truth and justice.
From the humblest citizen to the highest holder of a position, to betray public
trust demands the fullest measure of accountability."
Senator Franklin Drilon rejected Corona's challenge to sign the same
waiver that the prosecution wanted the chief justice to sign to make public the
extent of his bank deposits.
"I will not fall into his trap," Drilon said. "I will not go down to his
level. He is pathetic."
But opposition lawmakers said Corona did well in his three-hour opening
statement Tuesday.
Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said Corona managed to unmask
the "grand deception" foisted on the impeachment court and the Filipino people
by President Aquino and his allies in the House of Representatives.
He said public opinion would favor Corona following his testimony.
Siquijor Rep. Orlando Fua said Corona's testimony was "compelling" and his
offer to sign a waiver on his right to the confidentiality of his bank accounts
showed he was not lying about his financial condition.
"The chief justice was a bit emotional, and probably because his wife and his
family were dragged into the controversy," Fua said, noting that nobody wanted
to be called a thief.
He said Corona was able to dispute "downright lies, and the fabricated"
evidence presented by the prosecution.
House Deputy Majority Leader and Citizens Battle against Corruption Rep.
Sherwin Tugna said the chief justice's denials were "favorable to the
prosecution."
The business community expressed hope for a quick end to a fair trial.
"The business sector always has faith and confidence in our country. We have
strong confidence that our honorable senator-judges will come out with a fair
and just trial," said Francis Chua of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and
Industry.
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said the impeachment
trial should be finished as soon as possible so that the government could focus
on a more important task, which was developing the country's economy.
"Let us close the book on the impeachment trial at the soonest possible time.
Focus on growing and developing the Philippine economy," group president Hubert
d'Aboville said. With Maricel V. Cruz and Julito G. Rada
(Published in the Manila Standard Today newspaper on /2012/May/23)
'Hacienderong Pangulo behind my persecution'
Posted May 22nd, 2012 by Macon Ramos-Araneta & filed under Main
Stories.
CHIEF Justice Renato Corona took the witness stand on Tuesday to hit
back at his enemies and said the root of the impeachment complaint against him
was the "hacienderong pangulo."
He said President Benigno Aquino III hated him so much he was willing "to
break the laws of the land and the Constitution to kick him out of the Supreme
Court."
"He made a mockery of the Constitution to trample upon my rights, the foreign
deposits and due process," Corona said.
His much-awaited testimony started on a somber mood and the tension that
built up was palpable as he revealed family secrets. A few feet behind him were
his wife Cristina and daughter Carla.
A few people in the gallery wept as Corona became emotional because of what
he described as state-sanctioned harassment and persecution. He denied all the
charges against him and explained his income and how he and his family lived a
simple life.
Corona warned the senator-judges that if Mr. Aquino could "do a dastardly to
the highest justice official of the government, he can easily do it to ordinary
citizens and even the senators and other officials of the land."
"In my own view, there are three reasons why I was charged with an
impeachment complaint. The hacienderong pangulo hates me so much for losing
Hacienda Luisita," he said.
"What right did the President have to be mad about the distribution of
Hacienda Luisita to the farmers? This land was lent to them. They grabbed it
from the ancestors of the farmers who are currently tilling the land. For almost
60 years, they have been benefiting and earning from the land."
A prosecution lawyer tried to stop Corona from criticizing Mr. Aquino some
more, but Enrile denied him and ordered Corona to continue.
"I'm talking to the Filipino people," Corona said. He said another reason for
his impeachment was Mr. Aquino's plan to control the judiciary and the
legislative.
The third reason, he said, was the maneuver of "leftists" associated with Mr.
Aquino to take over the government, adding that "Ronald Llamas and his allies
are holding the President's neck."
He said the fake pieces of evidence against him were "figments of the
imagination and the result of grave machinations."
"They went to this court with no evidence, with no accusations of corruption
against me. They broke all laws … to pin me down," Corona said.
(Published in the Manila Standard Today newspaper on /2012/May/23)
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
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