TABLE OF CONTENTS Coronas Profile 8 Articles of impeachment *Cases and Violation Article II *Accountability of Public Officers News Article

cle of Chief Justice on trial

Renato Coronas Profile

Renato C. Corona (born October 15, 1948) is the 23rd and current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. He was appointed to the Court on April 9, 2002 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. On May 12, 2010, two days after the 2010 elections and a month before Arroyo's term expired, Corona was appointed the 23rd Chief Justice of the Philippines, succeeding Reynato Puno who had reached the mandatory age of retirement. Corona was impeached by the House of Representatives. Corona graduated with gold medal honors from the Ateneo de Manila Grade School in 1962,and from the Ateneo de Manila High School in 1966.[1] He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, also from Ateneo de Manila University, in 1970, graduating with honors.[1] While in college, was the editor-in-chief of The Guidon, the student-run university newspaper of the Ateneo, and also was secretary-general of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines from 1968 to 1970.[1] He also lead the overall champion team of the 1970 Annual Debating Tournament of the Ateneo School of Arts and Sciences. Corona earned his law degree at the Ateneo de Manila Law School, where he would serve as a member of the faculty for 17 years. He also received a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School in 1982. He earned his Doctor of Civil Law degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School in 2011. Early in his career,Corona served as special counsel at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He later became senior vicepresident and general counsel of the Commercial Bank of Manila, and later a senior officer of the Tax and Corporate Counseling Group of the Tax Division of Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.), the country's largest multidisciplinary professional services firm. In 1992, Corona joined the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos as Assistant Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, and concurrently served as head of the Malacaang Legal Office.[1] In 1994, he was promoted to Deputy Executive Secretary and later Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and member of the Cabinet. [1] In 1998, President Ramos awarded him the Philippine Legion of Honor medal, with the rank of officer.[1] In 1998, Corona became the chief of staff and spokesperson of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. When Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001, Corona became the Presidential Chief of Staff. On May 12, 2010, two days after the 2010 elections and a month before Arroyo's term expired, Corona was appointed the 23rd Chief Justice of the Philippines, succeeding Reynato Puno who had reached the mandatory age of retirement. On December 12, 2011, 188 members of the House of
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CORONAS: Articles of Impeachment

CASES
1. Partiality and subservience in cases involving the arroyo administration from the time he was appointed as associate justice to the time of his midnight appointment as chief . 2. Failed to the public statement of its assets, liabilities , and net worth as required under the constitution 3.Failing to met and observe the standards under the constitution that provides that a member of the judiciary must be a person of proven competence ,integrity,probity,and independence in allowing the Supreme Court to act on mere letters by the filed by counsel which caused the issuance of the flip-floping decisions in final executor cases, in creating an excessive entangelenment with Mrs.Arroyo through her appionment of his wife to office,and in discussing with the regarding cases pending the supreme court. 4.Blatantly disgarded the principle of the separation of powers by issuing a status quo ante order against the House of the Representatives with the litigants regarding cases concerning the impeachment of then Ombudsman Guttirez. 5.Wanton arbitratyness in partiality in consistently disregarding the principle of res judicata in the cases involving the 16-newly created cities and the promotion of dinagat island into a provice. 6. Arrogating unot himself and a committee he vreated the authority and jurisdiction to improperly inverstigate the justice of the supreme court for the purpose of exculpating him. Auch authority and jurisdiuction is properly reposed by the constitution in the house of representative via impeachment. 7. Partiality in granting a temporary restraining oreder (TRO) in favor of former President Arroyo and her husband Jose Arroyo in order yo give them an opportunity to escape procsecution and frustrate the end of justice and distorting the supreme court decision on the effectivity of the TRO and view of a cklear failure to comply with the condition of the supreme court own TRO.

VIOLATION
Betrayal of Public Trust
Betrayal of Public Trust and or Culpable Violation of the Constitution

Betrayal of Public Trust and or Culpable Violation of the Constitution

Betrayal of Public Trust and or Culpable Violation of the Constitution

Betrayal of Public Trust Betrayal of Public Trust Betrayal of Public Trust

Culpable Violation of the Constitution and or Graft and Corruption 4|Page

ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS Section 1

Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

Section 2
The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.

Section 3
(1) The House of Representatives shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment. (2) A verified complaint for impeachment may be filed by any Member of the House of Representatives or by any citizen upon a resolution or endorsement by any Member thereof, which shall be included in the Order of Business within ten session days, and referred to the proper Committee within three session days thereafter. The Committee, after hearing, and by a majority vote of all its Members, shall submit its report to the House within sixty session days from such referral, together with the corresponding resolution. The resolution shall be calendared for consideration by the House within ten session days from (3) A vote of at least one-third of all the Members of the House shall be necessary either to affirm a favorable resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of the Committee, or override its contrary resolution. The vote of each Member shall be recorded. 5|Page

(4) In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed. (5) No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year. (6) The Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment. When sitting for that purpose, the Senators shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the Philippines is on trial, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside, but shall not vote. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate. (7) Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than removal from office and disqualification to hold any office under the Republic of the Philippines, but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to prosecution, trial, and punishment, according to law. (8) The Congress shall promulgate its rules on impeachment to effectively carry out the purpose of this section.

Section 4
The present anti-graft court known as the Sandiganbayan shall continue to function and exercise its jurisdiction as now or hereafter may be provided by law.

Section 5

Section 6

There is hereby created the independent Office of the Ombudsman, composed of the Ombudsman to be known as Tanodbayan, one overall Deputy and at least one Deputy each for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. A separate Deputy for the military establishment may likewise be appointed.

Section 7

The officials and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman, other than the Deputies, shall be appointed by the Ombudsman, according to the Civil Service Law.

The existing Tanodbayan shall hereafter be known as the Office of the Special Prosecutor. It shall continue to function and exercise its powers as now or hereafter may be provided by law, except those conferred on the Office of the Ombudsman created under this Constitution.

Section 8

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The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, and at the time of their appointment, at least forty years old, of recognized probity and independence, and members of the Philippine Bar, and must not have been candidates for any elective office in the immediately preceding election. The Ombudsman must have, for ten years or more, been a judge or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines. During their tenure, they shall be subject to the same disqualifications and prohibitions as provided for in Section 2 of Article 1X-A of this Constitution.

Section 9

The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be appointed by the President from a list of at least six nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council, and from a list of three nominees for every vacancy thereafter. Such appointments shall require no confirmation. All vacancies shall be filled within three months after they occur.

Section 10
The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall have the rank of Chairman and Members, respectively, of the Constitutional Commissions, and they shall receive the same salary which shall not be decreased during their term of office.

Section 11

The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall serve for a term of seven years without reappointment. They shall not be qualified to run for any office in the election immediately succeeding their cessation from office.

Section 12
The Ombudsman and his Deputies, as protectors of the people, shall act promptly on complaints filed in any form or manner against public officials or employees of the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations, and shall, in appropriate cases, notify the complainants of the action taken and the result thereof.

Section 13

The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions, and duties:

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(1) Investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient. (2) Direct, upon complaint or at its own instance, any public official or employee of the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, as well as of any government-owned or controlled corporation with original charter, to perform and expedite any act or duty required by law, or to stop, prevent, and correct any abuse or impropriety in the performance of duties. (3) Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public official or employee at fault, and recommend his removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith. (4) Direct the officer concerned, in any appropriate case, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law, to furnish it with copies of documents relating to contracts or transactions entered into by his office involving the disbursement or use of public funds or properties, and report any irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate action. (5) Request any government agency for assistance and information necessary in the discharge of its responsibilities, and to examine, if necessary, pertinent records and documents. (6) Publicize matters covered by its investigation circumstances so warrant and with due prudence. when

(7) Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in the Government and make recommendations for their elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency. (8) Promulgate its rules of procedure and exercise such other powers or perform such functions or duties as may be provided by law.

Section 14

The Office of the Ombudsman shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Its approved annual appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released.

Section 15

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The right of the State to recover properties unlawfully acquired by public officials or employees, from them or from their nominees or transferees, shall not be barred by prescription, laches, or estoppel.

Section 16
No loan, guaranty, or other form of financial accommodation for any business purpose may be granted, directly or indirectly, by any government-owned or controlled bank or financial institution to the President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Commissions, the Ombudsman, or to any firm or entity in which they have controlling Section 17 interest, during their tenure.

A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often thereafter as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth. In the case of the President, the VicePresident, the Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Commissions and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law.

Section 18
Public officers and employees owe the State and this Constitution allegiance at all times and any public officer or employee who seeks to change his citizenship or acquire the status of an immigrant of another country during his tenure shall be dealt with by law.

ARTICLE/ NEWS PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

MANILA, PhilippinesThe impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona on Thursday shifted to his children, whose capability to buy multimillion properties with their L Testifying before the Senate impeachment court, Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares said that Coronas daughter, Carla, declared a taxable income of P8,476 in 2009 while her sister, Charina, had no income tax returns (ITRs) filed before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). 9|Page

But Carla managed to buy an P18 million property in La Vista, Quezon City on October 18, 2010 or just 10 months after she filed her ITRs as shown in a deed of sale presented to the Senate. She bought the property from her parentsthe Chief Justice and wife, Cristina. The daughter (Carla) has barely minimal income and therefore is not capable of buying the property, said Henares when she was being examined by private prosecutor Arthur Lim. Coronas lead counsel, former Supreme Court Associate Serafin Cuevas, immediately moved to strike out Henares statement, saying it was irrelevant, impertinent, and immaterial. Henares was, however, allowed to continue with her testimony and proceeded with the details of the transaction. But when the BIR chief gave the Senate information about the sale of the property, Cuevas repeated his objection, citing the impeachment courts ruling against presentation of evidence pertaining to the alleged ill-gotten wealth of Corona and his family. Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, the presiding officer, explained that the evidence was being offered for unreported assets. Cuevas registered his continuing objection when the witness went on discussing the tax records and alleged properties of another daughter, Charina. Still under Lims direct examination, Henares disclosed that Charina had not filed a single ITR when she bought a property in Taguig City in 2008. The buyer is registered with us as an onet (one time) taxpayer which is just to purchase this property and had not filed any tax reruns to date, said the BIR chief, referring to a lot in Mckinley Hills in Taguig City that Charina bought from Megaworld Corp in October 2008. Not a single income tax return? asked Lim to which Henares answered, None, Sir. She gave a similar answer when asked if Charina did not file any ITR even through an alphalist, which contains the names of employees and their income and withholding tax information being filed by their employers with the BIR annually. None because she just registered as a one-time tax payer, Henares said.

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When it was the defense teams turn to cross examine the witness, Cuevas mentioned that Charina was abroad for less than 10 years now. Do you know her (Charina) personally? asked Cuevas to which Henares answered no. You dont know therefore that shes abroad for less than 10 years, said Cuevas. The lead defense counsel then proceeded questioning the BIR chief about her appearance in the Senate as a witness for the prosecution in relation to her alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Chief Justice. At one point, Cuevas asked if Henares got an order from President Benigno Aquino to testify and crash Corona. Did he (Aquino) tell you: Go ahead, sundin mo yong subpoena. Mag appear ka at sabihin mo ang katotohanan? asked Cuevas and Henares answered yes. Did he also say that durugin mo na si Corona, kung maari? Cuevas asked again. Wala ho syang sinasabing ganun, said Henares. So you were holding your punches in connection with the subject matter because there was no order from Malacaang? Cuevas asked . Henares answered: Sir, I dont hold punches. I only do my job and Im a very professional person even if youre my worst enemy, Ill just do my job.

13 Lawyers Volunteer to help Prosecutors

Philippine Daily Inquirer 5:54 am | Friday, January 27th, 2012

At least 13 lawyers have volunteered to help the House prosecutors handle Article 1 of the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona for his alleged partiality and subservience to former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., House lead prosecutor, and Deputy Speaker Raul Daza will direct the second round, described by a spokesperson, Marikina Representative Federico Quimbo, as more complex.

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The more complex a ground is, the more lawyers are required, Quimbo said. Those who entered their appearance as senior private prosecutors in the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday night were Joel Butuyan, Claro Mamaril and Vitaliano Aguirre. Butuyan is the main partner of Harry Roque who had filed an impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo for allegedly plagiarizing international law experts in writing a decision that dismissed claims by Filipino women that they were forced into prostitution by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. The House justice committee had voted to declare as sufficient in substance the impeachment complaint against Del Castillo.Appearing as associate private prosecutors were Roger Rayel, Dexter Donne Dizon, Allan Jones Lardizabal, Gilbert Andres, brothers Federico Roxas II and Florante Roxas, Norma Singson-de Leon, Puramaryver Saquing, Wanda Talosig and Manuelito Luna. Volunteerism Many are assisting lawyers. We want to catch the sense of volunteerism of the lawyers. Most of them want to be part of this round because they feel very strongly about this, Quimbo said. None of the budget of the House will be used to pay them.Article 1 is the meat of all the articles of impeachment. Thats the main reason why Corona was impeached. The prosecutors had to be prepared, Roque said by phone, pointing out that the preparation for the main article entailed a lot of research work. This is the most cerebral. More brain power is needed.

De Lima in pain over Sacking of NBI chief

Philippine Daily Inquirer 11:41 pm | Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima admitted to this columnist Wednesday she didnt relish the painful truth that came out of the investigation into the kidnapping of a Japanese woman by some agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). In a text message, De Lima said: Like you, I dont relish what came out from the fact-finding panel. Its perhaps the painful truth. She was obviously referring to my column on Saturday where, in reaction to a heckler, I said that I was not in the habit of gloating over somebody elses misfortune, in reference to the sacking of NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula over the incident. 12 | P a g e

This columnist exposed the detention of Noriyo Ohara, an undocumented alien, by some NBI agents who reportedly demanded P15 million for her release. When I complimented De Lima on the splendid work of the fact-finding panel, the justice secretary replied: Thanks for appreciating their work which, needless to say, was quite difficult and even painful for them. There is a time in a persons life when he faces very painful truths, like losing friends or loved ones. But such is life, and one must move on despite the pain. *** Malacaang has probably heard the public clamor for a civilian, instead of a retired military or police officer, to replace Gatdula as NBI chief. The justice secretary has designated Region I Prosecutor Nonnatus Caesar Rojas as NBI officer in charge. The position is temporary and he can be replaced anytime. However, should it become permanent, NBI officials and the rank and file welcome Rojas designation. As a professional, I wholeheartedly support whoever the President and the Secretary of Justice decide to place as NBI director, said NBI Deputy Director Rey Esmeralda. The bureau will continue to efficiently do its job of enforcing the law whoever is at the helm, he added. Esmeralda was one of those reportedly on the shortlist of replacements. After he was teased that he had apparently missed the boat again, Esmeralda just shrugged it off and said: I can wait. I have still a long way to go in the bureau. *** Relatives of an agriculture official are allegedly cornering contracts to build farm-to-market roads and irrigation projects worth in the hundreds of millions. This information came from my mole at the Department of Agriculture. Heres how they do it: The officials brother or nephew approaches local officials to ask if they need funding for a farm-to-market road or irrigation

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project. If the answer is yes, the relatives then ask for a 20 percent commission. What happened to President Noys daang matuwid (straight and narrow path) slogan? *** A Cabinet member is back to his old habit of getting drunk and making a spectacle of himself in public. He was seen recently in a disco bar having had one too many and smooching a beautiful woman. Months ago, he was seen at the lobby of a five-star hotel lying on the lap of an actress-singer on a sofaobviously drunk. Admittedly, the Cabinet member wasnt doing something criminal or even immoral. Its just that as a high official he should behave in public. Its no longer about him, its about his office.

Impeach court starts retracing Coronas ascent to Supreme Court

Philippine Daily Inquirer 12:51 am | Friday, January 20th, 2012 With the turnover of Chief Justice Renato Coronas statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs), the impeachment court has begun to retrace the steps he took before he assumed the top post of the Supreme Court in 2010. Although tedious, the process allows the nation to see how this jurist who has described himself as being of a family of no ordinary means walked the corridors of power under two administrations in a political and legal career spanning two decades. After two days of delay, the presentation of evidence and witnesses on Article 2 of the impeachment complaint, which began on Wednesday and continued yesterday, has enlivened the heretofore insipid proceedings. It also set into motion the prosecutions strategy to lay the basis for Coronas conviction of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and graft and corruption. Article 2 alleges that Corona violated the Constitution and betrayed public trust when he failed to disclose to the public his SALNs. 14 | P a g e

On Wednesday, the impeachment court compelled Supreme Court Clerk of Court Enriqueta Esguerra-Vidal to turn over an envelope containing Coronas SALNs covering the period 2002-2010 (first as associate justice and later Chief Justice of the high court). This allowed the prosecution to obtain what could turn out to be the smoking gun necessary to prove its claim that Corona had amassed assets beyond his means. The Chief Justice has admitted ownership of only five of the 45 properties linked by the prosecution to him and his family as alleged proof of his illgotten wealth. A cursory reading of the SALNs will yield the impression that Coronas rise to power was, to a great extent, intertwined with the political career of his appointing authority, then outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Shared fate? Apart from the assets, liabilities and net worth, a SALN contains the position/income, office, and office address of the public official submitting the document. Before the impeachment court adjourned late on Wednesday, the prosecution elicited additional evidence from Marianito Dimaandal, the head of the Malacaang Records Office, in the form of SALNs submitted by Corona covering the period 1992-2002. In that 10-year span, Corona served in various capacities in the executive branch. He joined the government in 1992, during the term of President Fidel Ramos. He first served as assistant executive secretary for legal affairs and concurrent head of the Malacaang Legal Office, a sub-Cabinet post, before being promoted to the post of deputy executive secretary and, later, chief presidential legal counsel. But it was the decision of then Vice President Arroyo to pick him as her chief of staff and spokesperson in 1998 that laid the groundwork for his entry to the Supreme Court four years later, on April 9, 2002. Corona reached the peak of his legal career on May 12, 2010, when he became chief justice. But the circumstances of his appointment were questionable because under Section 15, Article 7 of the Constitution, a sitting president is barred from appointing vacancies in the judiciary during an election period. His assumption of the post of Chief Justice and head of the judiciary now forms part of the grounds of Article 1, which states: Respondent betrayed 15 | P a g e

the public trust through his track record marked by partiality and subservience in cases involving the Arroyo administration from the time of his appointment as Supreme Court justice which continued to his dubious appointment as a midnight Chief Justice and up to the present. Evidentiary weight The presentation of evidence was highly anticipated not only by the senator-judges and the defense but also by the people crowding the Senate gallery for one cogent reason: The actors and spectators in this political exercise may now appreciate the evidentiary weight of the documents initially leaked by the prosecution to the public via the media. The initial debacle encountered by the prosecution, which was widely criticized for its decision to rearrange the presentation of evidence in support of the eight articles of impeachment, had stymied the proceedings, a fact enunciated by the senator-judges during this weeks trial. Thus, the presentation of witnesses was a welcome development: Esguerra-Vidal and Dimaandal to attest to the veracity of the SALNs; Randy Rutaquio, Register of Deeds of Taguig City, and lawyer Carlo Alcantara, acting Register of Deeds of Quezon City, to the authenticity of the deeds of sale of the properties; and Sedfrey Garcia, Register of Deeds of Marikina City, also to the authenticity of the deeds of sale. The audience at the gallery, which for days had been showing signs of boredom, found renewed enthusiasm, craning forward to look at the bureaucrats seated on the witness stand. The senator-judges have also ensured that the proceedings were moving forward, raising points of order and posing questions to the witnesses even at the risk of being seen by others as lawyering for the relatively inexperienced prosecutors from the House of Representatives. The active participation of Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Vicente Sotto III, Jose Jinggoy Estrada, Franklin Drilon, Joker Arroyo, Edgardo Angara, Teofisto Guingona III, Pia Cayetano, Francis Escudero and Francis Pangilinan and the efficiency with which Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was marshaling the proceedings have ensured that the procedural obstacles thrown by the defense would not derail the trial. Continuing objection The lead defense lawyer, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas, has taken every opportunity to object to prosecution moves, in an effort to cast doubt on the credibility of the witnesses to testify on the probative value of the documents subpoenaed by the impeachment court.

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Watching virtually every word coming from the prosecution, Cuevas has also repeatedly registered an objection to the line of questioning of Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga and private prosecutors Mario Bautista and Jose Justiniano. The defense has maintained that the articles of impeachment lacked appropriate charges against Corona, and claimed that the Chief Justice was being tried for allegations based on reports and suspicion, in violation of the rules of pleading. For an impeachment complaint to be answered, it should state factual matters, Cuevas said. To speed up the trial, Enrile has recommended that Cuevas register a continuing objection to the presentation of evidence arising from the submission of documents by the Supreme Court Clerk of Court, Malacaang Records Office and Land Registration Authority. Cuevas agreed to do so since it would give Corona the legal standing to later question the conduct of the impeachment proceedings in another forum should the senator-judges render an unfavorable decision at the end of the trial.

Corona SALNs undervalued

2 witnesses testify on Corona properties
Philippine Daily Inquirer 12:21 am | Friday, January 20th, 2012

MANO PO Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas, head of the defense team, appears amused as Mario Bautista, a private lawyer of the House prosecution team, kisses his hand before the start of the impeachment trial at the Senate on Thursday. RAFFY LERMA House prosecutors accusing Chief Justice Renato Corona of amassing illgotten wealth on Thursday showed evidence that he had undervalued his properties in his officially declared assets. Based on his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) submitted to the Senate on Wednesday, Coronas net worth was P14 million in 2002, jumping to P22 million in 2010 when he became chief magistrate.

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The documents introduced Thursday showed that Corona declared a property at the swank La Vista in Quezon City at P3 million when it was bought for P16 million; the Bellagio penthouse in Taguig at P6.8 million acquired for P14.5 million; a unit in the Ridge, also in Taguig, at P2.3 million bought for P9 million; the Burgundy condo in Quezon city at P921,000 taken at P2.5 million; and the Columns condominium in Makati P1.2 million that was purchased for P3.5 million. But the prosecution was also put on the spot over questions on whether the properties shown in the documents carried to the court by officials of the Register of Deeds in Taguig City and Quezon City were related to any of the eight articles of impeachment against Corona. Senator Francis Escudero told prosecutors from the House of Representatives that Article 2 of the verified complaint was taking Corona to task only for his alleged failure to disclose to the public his SALN. As a judge, I am at a loss on Article 2, to be honest, he manifested in Filipino on the fourth day of the impeachment trial. Escudero said the second article of impeachment accused Corona of three separate acts when each article in the complaint must accuse the respondent of a singular, separate act. Besides the alleged nondisclosure of SALNs, the verified complaint said: It is 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 Antigraft and Corrupt Practices Act. Alleged vagueness of Article 2 Also under Article 2 is the allegation that respondent is likewise suspected and accused of having accumulated ill-gotten wealth, acquiring assets of high values and keeping bank accounts with huge deposits. Minority Leader Senator Alan Peter Cayetano also expressed misgivings on the same Article 2 and particularly pointed out the words reported and suspected in the particular charge. He asked whether the presentation of Coronas SALNs to the impeachment court on Wednesday would put the matter to rest. Im trying to figure out what the prosecution is charging the Chief Justice [with], he said. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ordered the prosecution and the defense to submit their respective legal memorandums, stating their position on the alleged vagueness of Article 2. But he also mentioned that the ultimate fact to be considered here is the issue of disclosure (of the SALNs). 18 | P a g e

Condominium certificates Randy A. Rutaquio and Carlo Alcantara, heads of the offices of the Register of Deeds in Taguig City and Quezon City, respectively, submitted certified true copies of condominium certificates of title (CCT) under the name of Corona, his wife Cristina and their children. Rep. Elpidio Barzaga said the controversial 303.5-square meter penthouse in The Bellagio Goldview Residences in Taguig that indicated Megaworld Corp. as the seller and the couple as the buyer was covered by CCT 19497. The House prosecutor said that the property included three parking slots. The selling price indicated in the deed of absolute sale is P14,510,225. The deed is dated Dec 16, 2009, the prosecutor said. At this point, Cuevas moved to strike out all subsequent manifestation from counsel related to the properties. Im very sure this is no longer in connection with SALN but rather of a different aspect of the impeachment complaint, which is the alleged acquisition of ill-gotten wealth. We made this manifestation. We have a standing objection, he reminded the court. Cuevas said paragraph 2.4 of the impeachment complaint accused Corona of having allegedly acquired ill-gotten wealth [and] assets of high value and keeping bank accounts with huge deposits. I said there could be no evidence that could be admitted regarding illgotten wealth. Allegation of suspicion does not suffice in the rules of pleadings. Therefore, there can be no acceptance of evidence. That is jurisprudence, he noted. In this particular instance, how do we determine sufficiency of allegation and course of action? How can there be valid judgment when the basis of allegation is suspicion? Are we trying the Chief Justice, the highest official in juridical compartment, on the basis of allegation of suspicion and on basis of an alleged report, he asked. Questionable allegation I agree with you that that would be a questionable allegation, Enrile butted in. We would deal (with the issue) when the offer of proof is reached. At the moment, were just talking about documents that were subpoenaed. But we are now in the stage of proof and no longer of allegation. If we follow pertinent jurisprudence, there can be no proof offered, much less

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accepted, utilized on the basis of nonexistent allegation, Cuevas countered. Alcantara testified on documents such as the transfer of titles and deeds of absolute sale involving properties owned by Corona, his wife Cristina, daughter Carla Corona-Castillo, and son-in-law Constantino Castillo. The properties included a condominium unit in Burgundy Plaza, and a lot in the posh La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City. Under questioning by private prosecutor Jose Justiniano, Alcantara confirmed that transfer certificate title (TCT) 96031 was canceled following the registration of a deed of sale of an P11-million property in Marikina City in the name of Cristina Corona on Sept. 3, 2003. While the property is located in Marikina, this was registered in Quezon City because this falls within the latters jurisdiction, he said. Documents questioned Alcantara testified on the existence of a deed of absolute sale executed by Cristina Corona of an P18-million, 1,200-square meter lot in La Vista Subdivision in favor of her daughter Carla. He showed a deed of absolute sale of a P2.7-million unit in Burgundy Plaza in Quezon City by Burgundy Realty Corp. in favor of Corona and his wife on Feb. 12, 1990. Alcantara said that TCT 125683 was canceled after one Myrla Nelad-Bajar executed a deed of absolute sale of a P15-million property on Kalayaan Avenue in Quezon City in favor of Constantino Castillo III. Constantino, Carla Cuevas questioned the relevance of the document to Corona and moved to have Alcantaras testimony struck. Enrile said he would strike this out unless the prosecution would establish the connection of the Castillo couple to the Chief Justice. Somebody will testify on the relationship of Constantino and Carla Castillo, Justiniano said. Enrile then said that he would allow this to stay in the record subject to the right of the defense counsel to take action that he may wish. Alcantara also testified that TCT 85121 was canceled following the execution of a deed of absolute sale by Corona and his wife of a P8-million property in favor of Rodel and Amelia Rivera.

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He also said that one Daniel Esina executed a deed of absolute sale of a P10.5-million property in favor of Constantino Castillo. Prosecution spokespersons said Coronas SALN from 2003 to 2010 showed a nondeclaration of his other properties as well as the undervaluation of those he had already declared. Unexplained wealth Representative Romero Quimbo said the disclosure of the SALN and the presentation of properties gave them the chance to point out the discrepancies in his declaration. What is important here as far as we are concerned is, there is clear undervaluation and in fact a blatant omission in the SALN. Now you know why, Quimbo said in a press briefing while the trial was going on. Based on his SALN, Coronas net worth was P14.9 million in 2002 before he was appointed Associate Justice to the Supreme Court; P7 million in 2003 when he was already an Associate Justice; P7 million in 2004; P8 million in 2005; P9 million in 2006; P11 million in 2007; P12 million in 2008; P14 million in 2009 and P22 million in 2010 when he became Chief Justice. Quimbo said Corona must explain why his net worth increased three-fold since his appointment as Chief Justice. Day 4 of the trial showed the documents of the properties that were not declared in the SALN while some that were declared were grossly undervalued, said Representative Niel Tupas Jr., chief House prosecutor. Childrens sources of income We want to know if the children have legitimate sources of income because the La Vista property was sold to his daughter at P18 million, then another property in Kalayan Avenue in 2009 at P15 million and another in Cubao in 2003 at P10.5 million. Lets see if they (children) have legitimate sources of income, he said. In their news briefing Coronas lawyers belittled the prosecution efforts Thursday. It was neither damaging nor positive testimony for the defense. As we have been saying consistently, Article 2 did not allege the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth by our client, but only the alleged nondisclosure of his SALN, Cuevas said.

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He said the disclosure of Coronas SALN was proof that Corona had been regularly filing his SALN since he was appointed to the high tribunal in 2002. Tranquil Salvador III, also a defense lawyer, said the release of the TCTs of several properties that Corona and his family purportedly owned worked in our favor. Fishing expedition This is good because the people will now know that the Chief Justice does not really own 45 properties as alleged. In fact, some of the TCTs of some of the supposed properties were just parking spaces, Salvador said. What they are doing is called a fishing expedition. They just filed the (articles of impeachment) even without securing the evidence first. Like going fishing, they just look for whatever evidence that may come their way, said defense lawyer Jose Roy III. With reports from Cynthia D. Balana and Marlon Ramos.

For the defense

It would seem that Chief Justice Renato Corona is not the only one on trial at the Senate. Lawyers Juan Edgardo Angara Jr., Karen Jimeno and Valentina Cruz realize that their participation in a politically charged exercise like an impeachment trial could make or unmake their legal careers. But the three have plunged head-on into the process, taking on the role of spokespersons for this historic clash among the three separate but equal branches of government. Angara, the Aurora representative whose father is a senator-judge, is a spokesperson for the prosecution, Jimeno speaks for the defense and Cruz is the official mouthpiece of the impeachment court. Although they are seen as having antagonistic roles, the three have many similarities insofar as their legal background is concerned. For one, all three are alumni of the University of the Philippines College of Law. Angara and Jimeno both obtained their masters degrees from the prestigious Harvard Law School in the United States, and both are currently teaching at the Centro Escolar University School of Law and Jurisprudence. Angara teaches legal technique, while the much younger Jimeno teaches transportation law.

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Cruz is the Senate legal counsel and is part of the Senate Secretariat headed by Secretary Emma Reyes. Stuff of lawyers dreams I think all lawyers want to be involved in the big issues of the day. Thats the stuff that lawyers dreams are made of. As a lawyer you want to be involved in questions of policy, of law, and what bigger question is there than the impeachment of a Chief Justice? said Angara, who turns 40 this year. Angara believes that the intersection of law, politics and justice is displayed in full array in a political exercise like an impeachment trial. He thinks that the impeachment can make or unmake the careers of protagonists in this historic battle between Corona and President Aquino and his allies. No. 1 is the career of Chief Justice Corona. Obviously it will not make his career if hes impeached, said Angara. As to whether his role as a prosecution spokesperson would help him in his political career, he said: Perhaps. Angara said he opted to be a spokesperson instead of joining the prosecution panel to spare his father, Sen. Edgardo Angara, from criticisms arising from the latters role as a senator-judge. He said he relished the thought of being personally involved in a political exercise in which he could make a constitutionally sanctioned process like impeachment relevant and understandable to the man on the street. More than anything I want to successfully communicate the message of the impeachment team to the public, which is that all public officials are accountable no matter how high we are, he said.

VALENTINA CRUZ: For the impeachment court

Justices, especially the Chief Justice, must be held to a higher standard of integrity and probity, he said. Postponed honeymoon Jimeno said she accepted the invitation from Coronas lawyers to join the defense team because after reading the verified complaint and grounds for impeachment, it didnt seem to me that there was basis for the impeachment complaint. 23 | P a g e

She has taken on the job pro bono and has even postponed her honeymoon for it. Jimeno was wed to an American investment banker early this month. She considers it a privilege to have been given an opportunity to take a stand for my principles and to stand behind the judicial department. According to Jimeno, the biggest consideration for her was the negative effect that the impeachment may have on a judicial department as a whole. Im not just concerned about the current Chief Justice, but the future chief justices and other justices of the Supreme Court who may be subjected to an abuse of the impeachment process. Asked if she thought Corona was innocent of the charges, she said: I dont think Im competent to decide on that. Were still at the beginning of the trial, we have yet to see what evidence the prosecution has, but I do believe that every person has a right to prove their innocence and be protected from a trial by publicity, she said. Every accused has a right to due process, which involves notice of charges and right to be heard in court, the young lawyer said. Definitely, the law is neutral and should be impartial, so regardless of where you stand, you should always apply the law, she said. Jimeno appears ready for a public backlash from being seen as defending the unpopular Corona. That was a concern that was raised to me by people who are close to me, but as far as Im concerned Im not fighting for a specific person. Im fighting for my belief that the rule of law should be upheld and the independence and integrity of the judiciary should be preserved, she said. That was the reason she postponed her honeymoon. It was tempting to go on a honeymoon right after my wedding and just go find a high-paying job. But I realized that it would have been a selfish decision, she said. Personal sacrifices But any sacrifice for the country is worth her time and effort, Jimeno said.

JUAN EDGARDO ANGARA JR: For the prosecution

The laws and the institutions we have right now are the bases for the democratic form of government that we Filipinos continue to be proud of, she said. 24 | P a g e

I think its worth it. Its our responsibility as lawmakers. Impeachment is a responsibility given to lawmakers, and theyre acting on behalf of the people. Its a big responsibility. We must take it on, said Angara. Does it help that he and Jimeno went to top schools here and abroad? It helps us in our knowledge of the law. Education, I think, helps everybody in whatever respect, whatever career that you pursue, he said. Jimeno obtained her law degree in 2005, when Angara had already left UP and Harvard, and completed her masters degree last year. She agreed with Angara that the kind of training that a lawyer gets from prestigious universities gives him or her an advantage as it equips them to take on difficult challenges while applying the skills that they have learned. The participation of lawyers like themselves in the impeachment could elevate the level of discussion, she said. I think the bigger challenge really is to be able to bring the discussion to a level that the public will understand. Being learned in the law allows us to understand the technicalities of the impeachment proceedings, but we have to complement that with our ability to communicate to the public what is going on in the impeachment proceedings in a manner that they will understand, she said. Constitutional tool In Jimenos view, the role of the public is to understand what an impeachment proceeding is all about, including its impact on the country and the judiciary as an institution. An impeachment will have a negative effect on our country if its used as a means to trample on the rights of other people or to destroy the independence of a branch of government like the judiciary, she said. But she was careful not to brand the Aquino administration-initiated campaign to oust Corona as unnecessary, saying that impeachable officials like the justices of the high court were not beyond the reach of impeachment. Its constitutional to take out any government official if they commit a grave offense like culpable violation of the Constitution. But its a whole different story if it becomes a tool to influence a branch of government, Jimeno said.

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If an impeachable official is removed on baseless grounds then it becomes an abused tool to further political interest, she said. Nothing personal Although pursuing antagonistic roles, Jimeno and Angara are comfortable with each other. They view the trial as separate from their personal lives, said Jimeno who adds that she and Angara have maintained a very pleasant relationship ever since their paths crossed following the transmittal of the articles of impeachment to the Senate last December. Theres really no personal animosity. We really dont feel the rivalry or competition. But I think it speaks well of the schools where we both came from. It shows how good our training is for us to be both involved in a case like this, she said. From the way the trial is proceeding, Angara expects that it will drag on for a few months.He said he was ready for the long haul, while noting that he already had a hoarse voice just a week into the trial, and was losing sleep.Everyone calls me up at five in the morning, he said, referring to the daily radio talk show hosts pestering him on a daily basis since the run-up to the trial.Jimeno, who also starts receiving phone calls at 5 a.m., said she does not expect the trial to proceed smoothly. We dont know how much evidence the prosecution will present and if their evidence or their manner of presentation is in compliance with the law because failure to comply with the rules of impeachment and of evidence would necessarily give rise to delays, she said.

Vizconde to testify vs Corona

Serious breach of high court rule cited
By Cathy C. Yamsuan Philippine Daily Inquirer 12:17 am | Tuesday, January 24th, 2011 Lauro Vizconde has decided to appear in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona to discuss the details of a private meeting with him in September 2010. Vizconde, 74, said that during this meeting Corona told him about the alleged efforts of Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio to pressure (binabraso) colleagues to vote for the acquittal of Hubert Webb, son of former Senator Freddie Webb.

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The younger Webb had spent 15 years in prison awaiting the final ruling of the high tribunal in connection with the rape of Vizcondes daughter, Carmela, who was later murdered, along with her younger sister and mother in their Paraaque City home on July 31, 1991, in which he was the principal accused. Vizconde said he had spent the past two weeks agonizing on whether to testify against Corona whose revelation to him in that private meeting was cited as one of the grounds in Article 3 of the impeachment complaint against the chief magistrate for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution. Prosecutors said the disclosure constituted a serious breach of the rule of confidentiality on cases pending in the high tribunal. I really dont want to testify because of utang na loob (debt of gratitude) because the Chief Justice had accommodated me in that meeting, Vizconde said in an interview. But then I thought, one of the advocacies of the (Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption) is to seek reforms in the justice system which is the bottom line of this trial. I cannot sacrifice the favor that the Chief Justice did for me in exchange for our advocacy, he explained. All the while, I thought that when the Chief Justice informed me of what Carpio was doing, that he would investigate all those incidents of parties lobbying for their cases in the Supreme Court. I thought he would resolve that problem, not only in my case, but in other cases as well, he said in Filipino. Vizconde revealed details of his meeting with Corona to the Philippine Daily Inquirer a month after the Supreme Court acquitted Webb and his coaccused on Dec. 14, 2011. The Paraaque Regional Trial Court convicted the group in January 2000. The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction in 2006. The case was elevated to the Supreme Court, where it lingered for four years. Vizconde said that sometime in September 2010, he and VACC founding chairman Dante Jimenez paid a courtesy call on Corona to congratulate him on his appointment as Chief Justice. Shocked and surprised Coronas office was undergoing renovation at that time and the Chief Justice had apologized for receiving them in his old chamber, he said. During the course of the conversation, I could not resist, as an aggrieved father and husband, to ask the Chief Justice about the status of the case 27 | P a g e

against Hubert Webb and other accused, Vizconde said in an affidavit to the Supreme Court which had chastised him after the Inquirer reported on the meeting. Corona reportedly told Vizconde and Jimenez to expect a decision in three to four months. But I was shocked and surprised when the Chief Justice, to the best of my recollection, said the following words: Talagang binabraso at iniimpluwensyahan ni Carpio ang kanyang mga kasama para mapawalang-sala si Webb, or words to that effect, the widowers affidavit read. Translated: Carpio is resorting to arm-twisting to influence his colleagues to acquit Webb. The Supreme Court later voted 7-4 to acquit Webb and his co-accused, citing the failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The decision was penned by Associate Justice Roberto Abad and concurred in by Senior Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales and Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Jose Perez, Jose Catral Mendoza and Ma. Lourdes Sereno. Those who dissented were Corona and Associate Justices Martin Villarama, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Arturo Brion. Carpio, who testified in Webbs trial, did not participate in the deliberations. Senior Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., a distant relative of a party to the case, was on official leave. Prosecutors get good news Representatives Sherwin Tugna and Arlene Bag-ao, both members of the House prosecution team, visited Vizconde on Sunday to convince the widower to testify. On Monday afternoon, Tugna returned for a second visit and was greeted with the good news of Vizcondes decision. During an hourlong conversation with relatives present, Vizconde repeated to Tugna several times his concern about being viewed as an ingrate by Corona. Mr. Vizconde stressed again and again that he would be doing this for a higher reason, that of judicial reform. His concern is being perceived adversely, Tugna said in an ambush interview.

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Vizconde said the chance to give a public narration of the incident would at least disprove the accusation that he made up the story about the meeting with Corona. This is my chance to tell my story under oath in a public forum, because the Supreme Court said I was lying after the news broke out, he said. No favor asked I never asked any favor from the Chief Justice. I just asked him when the decision would come out because it had been dragging in the SC for years, can you imagine? The conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeals in 2006 and dragged on without any major resolution, he complained. House prosecutors have listed the Corona-Vizconde meeting among the offenses Corona allegedly committed under Article 3 of the impeachment complaint against Corona. Prosecutors said Article III Section 7 of the Constitution provides that a member of the judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence. They explained that Coronas discussion with litigants regarding cases pending in the Supreme Court constituted a violation of the Code of Conduct and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. They also charged that the meeting constituted a culpable violation of the Constitution and should be considered as betrayal of public trust.

Lawyers antics send Santiago blood pressure soaring

By Cathy C. Yamsuan Philippine Daily Inquirer 2:03 am | Friday, January 27th, 2012 Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was forced yesterday to leave the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona early after her blood pressure shot up to 180/90 while giving private prosecutor Arthur Lim another dressing down. Santiago accused Lim of engaging her in colloquy, something she said nonelected officials were barred from doing. She was also irked by Lims habit of raising his voice, talking simultaneously with her, and phrasing his questions in a verbose manner. 29 | P a g e

The senator, who missed last weeks hearings because of hypertension, left after a doctor took her blood pressure, said her media officer, Tom Talibas. Santiago initially asked Lim whether the prosecution was accusing Corona of violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act under Article 2 of the impeachment complaint. This was apparently because the specific article accused Corona of failure to file his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) and alleged noninclusion of assets in the SALN which was not related to graft. Your honor, Lims tirade began. Please, to answer the question may I be permitted to point out, first of all What do you have to point out, Santiago cut in. Answer! Yes or no? I am tired of hearing your voice! Presumption of literacy Lim was about to speak when the senator cut him again. Do not override me! Weve already heard that of your pleadings! Do not be sententious because every hour counts! Just tell us whether the respondent is being asked to answer charges under the antigraft (law). Yes or no, the senator barked. It says here in the complaint that there is violation of the antigraft (law), Lim replied. I can read! Give me the presumption of literacy! And dont ever overstep yourself. Do not engage in the court with me, Santiago said, shouting. You are not supposed to discuss or argue during an impeachment trial. Especially when you are speaking to an impeachment judge, she said. Can we answer the questions, your honor, Lim pleaded with the presiding officer, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. The way we feel it should be answered? No, Santiago thundered. You should answer according to the rules of court as determined by the Senate acting as an impeachment court! That is the rule here. Impertinent answer Lim then challenged Santiago to cite the specific rule for our guidance.

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This is the end of this colloquy, Santiago noted. How dare you raise questions to my authority? Be careful because I might request my colleagues to inhibit you and disqualify you from appearing here. Enrile finally intervened, telling Lim that parliamentary tradition barred nonelected individualsprivate prosecutorsfrom arguing with elected members of Congress. You cannot engage in what the law calls a colloquy with me. You cannot engage in a discussion or in an argumentation with me. Im a judge, I preside here, she explained. The senator then asked Lim how many years had he been a trial lawyer, adding she heard that the prosecutor only specialized in maritime law. Lim replied he had been engaged in everything for the past 42 years. What an impertinent answer! Let me go to the point because I might lose my temper with you, Santiago fumed.

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