Aquino meets with impeachment prosecutors at Liberal Party anniversary

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino met with the big guns of the Liberal Party, including Corona impeachment lead prosecutor Niel Tupas and spokespersons Erin Tanada and Romero Quimbo, at Friday’s night’s celebration of the LP’s 66th anniversary.

The President was guest of honor at the celeration, held in the Quezon City home of former Sen. Mar Roxas which is often referred to as the party’s “Balay” headquarters.

According to Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, an LP stalwart, Aquino was upbeat when he met with Tupas et al.

“Pretty much,” said Abad, when asked in a telephone interview if Aquino was happy that the Supreme Court’s clerk had turned over Corona’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, thus making them public, and receipt by the Senate of the deeds of sale of some of the 45 properties linked to Corona and his family.

Addressing the LP officials and members, the President said he expected that Corona’s unfitness for office would become clearer as the impeachment trial progressed.

“He said that at the end of the day what matters is we get the truth out. And he said the attempt to obscure or hide the truth is evident by just a cursory examination of the chief justice’s SALNs, deeds of sale and land and condominium titles,” said Abad.

“He thinks that the prosecution will get its rhythm going as the trial progresses, especially with gains made from the first four days of trial,” said Abad.

Aquino, however, did not congratulate the House prosecution panel for its apparent early victories in this week’s trial.

“No. He impressed upon partymates how crucial success in the impeachment trial is to his campaign for good governance, reforms and for creating an environment conducive to investment,” said Abad.

Aquino then went on to enumerate the initial gains on  the economic front, he said.