HI DRAMA HI-LIGHTS CORONA DAY IN
COURT / CJ HAS TILL FRIDAY TO RETURN
[PHOTO - OVERCOME BY EMOTIONS Chief Justice
Renato Corona tries to hold back tears while making his statement on the witness
stand in the first of a series of dramatic events that defined his first day in
court on Tuesday. SENATE POOL]
MANILA, MAY 24, 2012 (INQUIRER) By Cathy C.
Yamsuan - His sudden exit after 3-hour statement sparks uproar!
Saying he is not a thief, Chief Justice Renato Corona on Tuesday accused the
"haciendero" President Aquino of mobilizing the entire government machinery to
smear him to avenge the loss of the Aquino family's Hacienda Luisita as a result
of an adverse Supreme Court ruling in November 2011.
Reading from a prepared statement in Filipino and at times breaking down in
his three-hour-long testimony on the 40th day of his impeachment trial, Corona
also advanced a second reason why he was being impeached: The President seeks to
control the three branches of government. And the third reason: The creeping
takeover of the administration allegedly by leftist elements.
Corona repeatedly proclaimed his innocence of accusations, mostly aired by
prosecution spokespersons outside the Senate tribunal, that he had amassed
ill-gotten wealth.
"I'm no thief. I'm no criminal. I've done no wrong. But I am also no fool,"
he said after announcing he was issuing a waiver on his bank accounts in pesos
and dollars, and challenged the 188 House representatives who signed the
articles of impeachment and Senator Franklin Drilon, his most virulent critic
among the senator-judges to do the same.
He said he had never raided government coffers and accused the prosecutors of
twisting the law and inventing evidence in their efforts to oust him for alleged
culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and graft and
corruption.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the prosecution, if the cases you filed against me
are indeed strong, why did you need to invent evidence? You will be accountable
for what you did," Corona said, reading from a prepared statement in Filipino
and at times speaking extemporaneously.
"Why did you resort to black propaganda? You invented, lied and dug up dirt
endlessly (maghukay nang walang hanggan)," he said.
As Corona said this, the chief House prosecutor, Iloilo Representative Niel
Tupas Jr., along with prosecutors Giorgidi Aggabao and Elpidio Barzaga Jr.
turned away and slunk down in their seats.
"I am hurt by your efforts to trample on my rights but I'm telling you, I'm
fighting back because your accusations are baseless and illegal (hindi ayon sa
batas)," the Chief Justice said.
Corona went on to claim that Mr. Aquino, whom he described as a landlord
("hacienderong Pangulo") harbors an intense anger against him for the Supreme
Court's decision last Nov. 22 to distribute Hacienda Luisita to tenant farmers
following a six-year litigation.
The family of the President's late mother, former President Corazon Aquino,
owns Hacienda Luisita.
President upset
"What is President Aquino's right to be upset over the distribution of
Hacienda Luisita to the farmers? The land was only lent (pinahiram lamang) to
(the Cojuangcos). The land was forcibly taken (inagaw) from the elders of these
farmers," Corona charged.
The Chief Justice claimed that the President's family benefited from
("pinakinabangan") and took advantage ("pinagkakitaan") of Hacienda Luisita for
nearly 60 years.
"And now, they don't want to give it back to its rightful owners," he asked.
Private prosecutor Mario Bautista accused Corona of taking advantage of his
opening statement to deliver pronouncements "without the benefit of direct
examination" by his lawyers. "All issues he had mentioned here are irrelevant,"
he said.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile reminded Bautista that Corona's opening
statement would be considered part of his testimony and that the private counsel
would be allowed to cross-examine the Chief Justice at the proper time.
Corona went on, accusing Mr. Aquino of a compulsion to control the three
branches of government—executive, legislative and judiciary.
"(The President) intends to use all resources and powers just to achieve this
goal," he charged.
Leftist adviser
The Chief Justice then zeroed in on one of the President's advisers, Ronald
Llamas, whom he said was behind the slow takeover by left-leaning elements
("unti-unting pagmaniobra at pagsakop ng kaliwa") of the Aquino administration.
"It seems Ronald Llamas and his cohorts ("kakosa") hold President Aquino by
the neck," Corona noted.
The Chief Justice repeatedly insisted on his innocence several times during
the first 30 minutes of his opening statement.
Enrile issued several gentle reminders for Corona to wrap up the prepared
statement he brought to the witness stand.
The Chief Justice assured the Senate President several times that he would be
through in a while, explaining at one point that he was "talking to the people.
I have been discredited (sinisiraan) 24/7 for the past five months. The country
needs to know who I am."
Simple lifestyle
Corona discussed the simple lifestyle that he, wife Cristina and their
children practiced for the past 42 years. He said this frugality allowed them to
save money that they used to invest in foreign currency, in US dollars.
Corona said his family refrained from luxuries, not even the use of
air-conditioning, claiming his loved ones are sensitive to cold and easily get
sick.
"We have lived in the same house that I inherited from my parents. We have
never paid rent or amortization for a housing loan. We eat simple food. Believe
it or not, we do not have maids. I'm telling the truth. We only pay people who
iron our clothes and those who come to clean the house," he explained.
Corona pointed out that the family had only two basic expenses—food and
tuition for the children.
"We have no fabulous house in an exclusive subdivision, nor luxury cars or
paintings. This is no exaggeration. There is not one month where I did not set
something aside for savings," he added.
"So it is not surprising that we have saved so much, having done so for 45
years. So why is it that some are asking why we have cash. And assume that I
stole it," Corona asked.
Suddenly, the Chief Justice stopped, his face in a tight grimace.
This prompted his lead defense counsel, Serafin Cuevas, to note that Corona
was "on the verge of tears" and asked for a break so his client would regain his
composure.
FROM ABS-CBN
CJ given until Friday to return by Ira Pedrasa,
ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 05/23/2012 2:37 PM | Updated as of 05/23/2012 7:21
PM
[PHOTO -Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile approves the petition of
Chief Justice Renato Corona for a 48-hour medical rest. Enrile gave Corona until
Friday to show up at the impeachment court, after which senator-judges will
decide the case by next week. Photo by Junny Roy for
ABS-CBNnews.com]
MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said
the impeachment court may decide the case of Chief Justice Renato Corona on
Tuesday.
He gave the defense the chance to present Corona, who is still in the
hospital, until Friday at 2 p.m. to continue his testimony.
Enrile set the oral arguments for both parties on Monday. Both will be given
an hour each to present their case. This means the prosecution will no longer
provide any rebuttal evidence.
"This court will give you until Friday to cross your evidence, then we submit
the case [for resolution]. On Monday, we schedule the oral arguments. It will
depend on the court whether we submit our vote [after] or suspend to another
day," he said.
[PHOTO -Serafin Cuevas, Chief Justice Renato Corona's lead counsel,
explains to the impeachment court why his client is unable to return to the
witness stand to resume his testimony and be cross-examined. Cuevas could not
assure the court when Corona would be able to return to testify. Photo by Junny Roy for ABS-CBNnews.com]
Cuevas had informed the court that Corona will not be able to return to the
impeachment court until Monday next week due to his illness.
He said Corona's doctors were monitoring the chief justice for 48 hours after
assessing a near "heart attack" last night.
Cuevas said he went to The Medical City Wednesday morning in an attempt to
discuss the case with Corona, but physicians prohibited him from talking to his
client.
However, he got an assurance from the family of the chief magistrate that "he
is willing to be back in order to continue with his direct examination."
Cuevas said the only "stumbling block" is Corona's physical and mental
situation. "We have no objection if a Senate doctor conducts [an examination]
and submits a report."
Cuevas added they got a medical report attesting to Corona's medical
condition. "We acknowledge the magnanimity and the over-liberality [of the
Senate] in accommodating us, but the issue now is medical."
No assurance
Enrile asked Cuevas for an assurance on when Corona would be able to return
to the witness stand.
Cuevas said the chief magistrate may come back on Monday but there was "no
assurance."
This finally prompted Enrile to order the oral arguments on Monday.
Lead prosecutor Niel Tupas Jr. said they are willing to waive their right to
cross-examine the magistrate.
Many observers have questioned the unceremonious exit of Corona in
yesterday's proceedings, saying the chief magistrate walked out, disrespected
the court, and refused to be cross-examined.
His doctor and son-in-law Constantino Castillo, yesterday said Corona also
suffered from hypoglycemia.
An irate Enrile had said Corona should return or the Senate will already
decide the case sans his testimony.
Conditional Waiver
On Tuesday, Corona signed a waiver in open court allowing government agencies
to look into his bank accounts to show he is not hiding anything.
He authorized all banks which have his and his wife's dollar and peso
deposits to disclose whatever is needed by government agencies such as the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Land
Registration Authority (LRA), and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
However, he asked all 188 impeachment complainants plus Senator Franklin
Drilon to sign a similar waiver.
Escudero asked Cuevas on Wednesday if this was a conditional waiver. "I take
it at all, without exceptions, that all should sign. That's his condition?"
Cuevas answered: "That's my understanding."
Senator Jinggoy Estrada then asked Tupas if he was going to sign a waiver.
The lead prosecutor said, "It's not the issue here…We will not sign."
Drilon also stood up and told the court: "I report all my assets in my SALN
[Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth]. There is no requirement to
open the bank accounts. Otherwise, this would be disastrous to the industry.
Having said that, I will not sign a waiver."
Drilon later reminded Cuevas that Corona mentioned he would be directing his
defense to rest his case if all 189 individuals will not sign a waiver.
Cuevas said, "I have not received any [directions] until now."
Drilon replied, "it was done in open court," to which Cuevas said, "That's
futuristic."
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
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