Corona’s ‘illegal wealth’ as part of impeach complaint questioned

MANILA, Philippines – The issue on whether Chief Justice Renato Corona has illegally acquired his wealth was put to a debate at the resumption of the impeachment trial on Tuesday.

Corona’s lead counsel, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas insisted that the allegation was not part of Article 2 of the impeachment complaint filed against his client that only referred to the alleged failure of the Chief Justice to declare his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

“There’s no mention whatsoever dealing with illegally acquired wealth,” said Cuevas.

Cuevas noted that the complaint mentioned about the “reported” properties of Corona that were not included in his SALN and a suspicion that he has accumulated ill-gotten wealth.

But the chief prosecutor, Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr. argued that the allegation of ill-gotten wealth was alleged in the complaint.

“In other words other, the allegations in the complaint is sufficient,” Tupas said.

But Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, who is presiding over the trial, called the attention of Tupas that the complaint clearly alleged that the respondent committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust when he failed to declare his SALN.

“It’s very specific,” Enrile noted.