As expected, Chief Justice Renato Corona addressed the key issues against him in relation to his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). In so doing, he confirmed some key facts thus far unearthed by the prosecutors.
He also tried to obfuscate the issue against him by enlarging the context, squarely placing the impeachment within the context of his larger counter-charges against President Aquino. First, he accused the latter of persecution and vengeance because of the SC decision on the Hacienda Luisita case. Second, he accused the Left, particularly the Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas, of virtually taking over the administration. Third, he accused the administration, through the prosecution, the other members of the Basa-Guidote clan, surveys, and some media people, of undertaking a campaign of lies and deception against him.
Among the key facts he confirmed are: 1) his ownership of several properties and presence of peso and dollar bank accounts (including the AMLC report); and 2) that he did not enter these into his SALN. However, he based his own defense on two points: 1) that the assets mentioned are small compared to the accusations; and 2) that there are valid reasons why he did not put them in his SALN, specifically because some of these are not his but that of others in his family, including the BGEI company. He also cited the absolute nature of dollar accounts that includes no obligation to put these in his SALN. In brief, he says he is innocent of all charges. He also asserted his fitness for the office and that this is not a basis for impeachment.
As a dramatic gesture, he signed a waiver for the opening of his bank accounts and other records of his assets. He thus threw the gauntlet to his detractors.
We now have his can of worms. Is this a fearless last stand or is there a political scenario building behind our backs?
He will actually end up like GMA.This drama will unfold in the next few days.He will seek the sympathy of his few loyalists, but then this would be too much for him.He will succumbed to illness,the rigors of tials will eventually kill him, before the resolution of the case.
Corona’s Defense: ” If you choose Not to sign the waiver, I will not execute the waiver.” Then,he unceremoniously walked away.
Breaking News: Corona in medical city! (following script). Just confirmed with hospital.
Panay depensa ni CJ Corona na ang dollar accounts niya ay di nagkakahalaga ng $10-12M, ngunit di niya sinsabi kung magkano ba talaga… is it lower or higher? I JUANder?!
Sabi ng mga abogado at doktor na son-in-law niya na ang pag walk-out ni CJ Corona ay dahil sa sumama ang pakiramdam niya dulot ng pagbaba ng blood sugar niya. Alam niyang diabetic siya at makasama sa kanya ang malipasan ng gutom, bakit di siya nag-lunch? Dahil daw sa busy siya sa paghahanda. Kasama kaya dun ang di pagkain? May kaibigan akong “full-pledged” diabetic, dalawa lang daw ang pwede mangyari kapag bumaba ang blood sugar ng pasyente, manghihina siya at manlulupaypay o di kaya magwawala na parang sinapian at mahirap pigilan. Sa nangyari kanina, di kakaitaan ng panghihina ang punong mahestrado sa kanyang pagtayo sabay lakad na patakbo kasama ang kanyang pamilya na kung di lang naisara ang main entrance ng Senate building ay nakaalis na siya dahil nakabang na pala ang sasakyan niya sa baba… Hehehe.
Sino ba ang di manghihina kapag napornada ang mga plano mo at makulong ka sa isang gusali na wala kang kawala at kailangan mong harapin kinakatakutan mo? Mapapainom ka talaga nang tatlong Coke in cans!
After his walkout yesterday, Corona is now a dead man walking.