Defense censures prosecution’s presentation of Corona ITR

MANILA, Philippines—The defense panel on Wednesday hit back at the prosecution team for comparing embattle Chief Justice Renato Corona’s income tax returns (ITRs) and statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Lawyers Tranquil Salvador III and Karen Jimeno, spokespersons of the defense panel, together with lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho, surmised that the prosecution team would try to compare the SALN and ITRs of the Chief Justice but explained that such a move was wrong.

“[An] ITR shows income but not if he [Corona] borrowed money. [This] is a mere reflection of his source of income,” stressed Salvador.

The defense lawyers said they were not surprised with the documents presented to the impeachment court by Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares, since the data in the said documents were “declared in Corona’s SALN.”

Salvador added that the defense was “not worried about the properties [being discussed in the trial,” saying they know these assets.

In fact, most of the evidence being presented by the prosecution would also be used by the defense panel, according to Quicho.

Meanwhile, despite the prosecution team’s assertion  that Article 2.4 has just been “set aside”, Salvador said that the part of the much-debated article of impeachment has been dropped.

He admitted though that the efforts of the prosecution could have left an impression that Corona really has ill-gotten wealth.

To this, Jimeno said that the prosecution panel should avoid discussing the merits of the case to the media and the public, saying “dapat hindi pangunahan ang desisyon ng mga senator-judges.”

Salvador also urged the public, “Maging mapanuri po tayo.”