Palace aide dares Corona to explain properties

MANILA, Philippines—A Malacañang Palace aide dared Chief Justice Renato Corona anew on Saturday to explain how he acquired various properties he claims to have been declared in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte issued the challenge in reaction to an Inquirer report that 19 properties worth more than P200 million were registered in the Land Registration Authority under the names of Corona, his wife Cristina, their daughters Charina and Carla, and the latter’s husband Constantino Castillo.

In an interview over the state-run radio dzRB, Valte also confirmed an Inquirer report last week that Corona declared a net worth of only P13.9 million when he left Malacañang in 2002 to join the Supreme Court.

“Well that has to be justified as to how he was able to acquire that considering that he has been in government for 20 years,” Valte said Saturday.

“And if so, all his tax returns must reflect his capacity to pay,” added Valte, a lawyer.