The conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust is a resounding victory for President Noynoy Aquino. It puts him firmly in control of the legislative branch of government and he is well on his way to getting control of the Supreme Court after 3 more appointments before the end of 2013. Justice Mariano del Castillo is reportedly planning to resign. Two justices are due to retire in 2013.
Corona’s fate was sealed after the Enrile bloc of 6 senators met on Sunday and decided to cast guilty votes after the damaging testimony of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales who submitted a 17-page AMLA report confirming the dollar transactions of Chief Justice Corona.
Corona’s last minute effort to get a verdict of acquittal failed when he walked out last Tuesday and angered the Senate President and many senators.
His last night submission of waiver of the confidentiality of his bank deposits also did not save him in view of his admission that he had $2.4 million in dollar accounts and P80.7 million in co-mingled peso deposits which was surprisingly big.
The legal arguments of Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago, Bongbong Marcos and Joker Arroyo were not accepted by the 20 senators who rejected CJ Corona’s interpretation of RA 6426 that his dollar deposits were confidential and that therefore he had no obligation to report them in his SALN.
As mentioned by several senators, the $2.4 million and P80.7 million bank deposits were so huge and shocking, it gave indications of ill-gotten wealth. Sen. President Enrile said that the co-mingled accounts should have been declared as assets and also as liabilities.
As Usec. Abigail Valte said, it was democracy at work.
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ENRILE’S EXPLANATION . . In a 15-minute explanation of his vote, Senate President Enrile rejected CJ Corona’s interpretation of RA 6426 that he claimed excused him from reporting his dollar deposits.
Enrile, however, lamented the failure of the defense and prosecution panels to present officials from the AMLC and the depository banks to authenticate the AMLC records.
Privately, Enrile said that it was a mistake for the defense to have called Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales as a hostile witness.
Enrile got the support of Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Vicente Sotto III, Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda and Manny Villar, which swung the tide in favor of conviction.
Senator Chiz Escudero tried to cushion his vote by stating that he did not approve the manner which the House conducted its impeachment proceedings. He nonetheless concluded that Corona’s non-declaration of all his dollar deposits and peso deposits was an impeachable offense. He called on President Aquino, Cabinet Members, Senators and Congressmen to sign waivers of the confidentiality of their bank accounts.
Sen Alan Peter Cayetano expressed the same sentiments as Senator Escudero.
Sen. Lito Lapid did not explain his vote.
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BELMONTE’S TAKE . . House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. in a press conference said that the conclusion of the impeachment process shows that the system of government was working.
He joined Congressman Erin Tañada in saying that this is no cause for a celebration but he emphasized that the conviction was a victory for the democratic system of government.
About 50 Congressmen attended Tuesday’s session including Congressmen Ted Jaresco, Jerry Treñas, Janette Garin, Ben Evardone, Anton Lagdameo, Sonny Collantes, Tom Apacible and Ryan Singson.
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CORONA ACCEPTS DECISION . . In a statement from his hospital bed, Chief Justice Renato Corona graciously accepted his “calvary.”
He had endured for the last 6 months.
“If this will be good for country, I now accept the calvary we have endured, because even from the start, I was ready to lay my life for the nation.”
“Therefore I leave it up to God and the public who are more powerful in our democracy, my future and the future of our judiciary.
“Let us put a stop to the politics of personal attacks. Let us put out the poison brought about by too much partisanships, divisiveness and uncontrolled anger,” he appealed.
Senate Majority Leader Tito Sotto said the decision is immediately executory.
The President has 90 days to name a replacement. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is of the view that the President cannot appoint an outsider for Chief Justice but must appoint one of the incumbent justices.
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POLITICAL UPDATE . . 200 leaders of Laguna led by San Pablo City Mayor Vicente “Beteng” Amante, Board Members Danton Amante, Angelica Jones and Ed Alajar took their oath as Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) members before President Joseph Estrada at the Club Filipino yesterday.
Proclaimed as PMP-Una candidates for Governor was incumbent Governor E.R. Ejercito with PLC President, Board Member Danton Amante as his running mate for vice-governor. They will be opposed by Cong. Egay San Luis and Vice-Governor Cesar Perez.
Also inducted was Dennis Padilla, candidate for Board Member in the 3rd District. Mayor Vicente Amante said he is fielding ABS-CBN reporter Sol Aragones to run for Congress against incumbent Rep. Ivy Arago of the LP in the 3rd District.
Talk of the affair was the 20-3 conviction vote against CJ Corona. People as a rule expressed surprise at the big number of votes for conviction.
The Laguna leaders expressed the view that Sen. Bongbong Marcos’ explanation of his “acquittal” vote was excellent.
The question now — Will their vote help reelect the 6 reelectionist senators who voted to convict?
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