Clerk of Court compelled to ‘surrender’ Corona SALN

MANILA, Philippines—Supreme Court Clerk of Court Enriqueta Esguerra-Vidal was forced to “surrender” the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona which she brought to the impeachment court Wednesday.

“You are now ordered by the chair to surrender these records to this court,” said Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, who presided over the impeachment trial in the Senate.

Enrile issued the order after Vidal, on Senator Franklin Drilon’s questioning, admitted that she brought with her in the trial Corona’s SALN, contrary to her earlier statement that it was not with her.

“I have brought the SALN with me,’ she said but pleaded the Senate to wait for the permission of the court before she submits it to the body.

But Enrile reminded the witness that the Senate has the sole power to conduct the impeachment trial and it should not be impeded by any agency of the government to perform its duty.

It was then that the presiding officer ordered the witness to submit the documents to the Senate.

“I’m really in a quandary, I’m in a dilemma…” said Vidal, insisting that she has yet to wait for the

permission of the court.

Senator Joke Arroyo pleaded the Senate to give Vidal time to seek the permission of the Supreme Court. Several senators however stood up and supported Enrile’s order.

After hearing the opinion of some senator-judges, Enrile reiterated his order for Vidal to submit the documents to the Senate.