More witnesses to testify as Corona impeachment trial resumes

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona resumed Tuesday with more witnesses expected to testify on his alleged failure to declare all his properties in his statement of assets, liabilities and network.

The Senate, acting as an impeachment court, began at around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the fifth day of Corona’s trial.

Twenty senators were present as Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, who is presiding over the trial, banged the gavel.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who returned from a weeklong absence due to hypertension, led the prayer.

Five witnesses appeared before the Senate last week and testified on the veracity of. Corona’s SALN and properties that he and some family members allegedly owned.

Those who testified in the Senate were Supreme Court Clerk of Court Enriqueta Esguerra-Vidal and Marianito Dimaandal, head of Malacanang Records Office, Randy Rutaquio (register of deeds of Taguig City), Carlo Alcantara (register of deeds of Quezon City), and Sedfrey Garcia (register of deeds of Marikina City.)

Garcia was called last Thursday to take a witness stand but the presiding officer, Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, adjourned the proceeding even before the prosecution could conduct direct examination of the witness.

Aside from Garcia, a register of deed of Makati will also testify this Tuesday, said Iloilo Representative Nel Tupas Jr., head of the prosecution team.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares is also expected to testify on Corona’s income tax return from 1992 to 2010.

Originally posted at 02:04 pm | Tuesday, January 24, 2012