Corona wife fails to appear at preliminary investigation

MANILA, Philippines—The wife of Chief Justice Renato Corona was a no-show on Thursday at the start of the preliminary investigation of a graft case filed against her by a former employee of the John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) at the Department of Justice.

Instead of appearing at the proceeding, Ma. Cristina Corona subscribed to her counter-affidavit at the office of the Senior Deputy State Prosecutor several hours before the 2 p.m. preliminary hearing.

Mrs. Corona was a member of the board of the JHMC, the estate manager of the Camp John Hay Special Economic Zone, from 2001 and was appointed the firm’s president and chair in 2007.

Stanley Fabido, Mrs. Corona’s lawyer, submitted his client’s sworn affidavit to State Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano who was assigned to handle the case filed by Frank Daytec against her for “unauthorized use of public funds.”