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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Corona should quit

Editorial

‘Conviction on one count is enough to end him packing.’
CHIEF Justice Renato Corona has promised to give permission to the impeachment court to look into his dollar deposits at the "appropriate time." The promise was given during consultations with members of his defense panel. The appropriate time presumably will present itself during the presentation of the defense case. If so, the prosecution should accommodate the defense by resting its case based on the 2nd Article of Impeachment, the one alleging failure of Corona todisclose all his assets.

Conviction on one count is enough to end him packing. Conviction on any or all the remaining seven articles is superfluous. He only has one position to lose.

As the noose tightens around Corona’s neck, his team is understandably trying to muddle the waters. That canard about the Palace offering senator judges P100 million each to defy the Supreme Court TRO against looking into Corona’s dollar account appears to be the opener. Next comes a statement coming from Corona himself that their conjugal income and assets were all acquired through sheer hard work and inheritance.

Why the sudden turnaround in talking about the source of their wealth is baffling. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, from the very start ruled that the Second Article of Impeachment has nothing to do with how the Coronas grew rich but is rather limited to the issue of whether their assets were correctly reflected in their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

The court has repeatedly declared it will not accept evidence relating to the hidden wealth issue. What’s the purpose then of the defense claims that the Coronas could very well prove their acquired assets were not grossly out of proportion to their income?

Formally, there is no accusation of amassing hidden wealth. What is there for the defense to answer?

The defense is obviously growing desperate. But muddling the issue will not help its cause. Corona is damaged goods. He is a disgrace as chief justice. He can do the nation and himself a favor by resigning now.

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