Prosecution eyes Coronas’ bank records

HOUSE prosecution head Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. RAFFY LERMA

The prosecution announced on Tuesday it was considering asking anew the issuance of subpoenas to five banks after it was revealed that Chief Justice Renato Corona and his wife bought undeclared properties on “almost cash basis.”

Testimony by executives of Megaworld Corp. and Ayala Land that Corona and his wife paid in bulk to acquire condominium units in the posh Bellagio Tower and Bonifacio Ridge in Taguig City prompted the move.

“We are currently discussing the bank accounts of the Coronas. Although there is no decision yet, there is an inclination to request the Senate impeachment court to subpoena specific bank accounts so we can comply with the directive of the Senate President,” said Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., the chief House prosecutor.

The prosecutors had earlier requested the issuance of subpoenas for the production of the records of bank accounts of the Coronas from five local banks, but the Senate tribunal set aside their motion until they can prove charges of irregularities relating to the Chief Justice’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

However, the prosecution said that it reserved the right to renew the request at the proper time to prove allegations that Corona failed to “truthfully, honestly and accurately disclose his personal assets, which include bank deposits, in his SALN.”

Paid ‘almost in full’

Citing Republic Act No. 1405, Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tañada III, a prosecution spokesperson, said the banking law authorized disclosure of bank accounts subject to impeachment litigation.

Aniceto Bisnar Jr., vice president of Ayala Land which developed the 20-story Bonifacio Ridge, testified that the  113-square-meter condominium unit of the Coronas was “paid almost in full” within one month.

Bisnar said that a P2.2-million check was first issued by the Chief Justice on March 31, 2004, and was followed by another check, under the name of Mrs. Corona, amounting to P6.9 million dated April 30, 2004, to cover full payment for the P9.1-million condominium unit. Corona also paid the value-added tax and documentary stamps.

“In our term it is considered cash payment term,” explained Bisnar, and not installment.

The Bonifacio Ridge condominium unit was acquired in 2004 but was only declared by Corona in his SALN in 2010 with a market value of P2.3 million. He did not indicate the acquisition cost in his declaration.

‘Pattern of deceit’

Giovanni Ng, finance director of Megaworld which developed The Bellagio, testified that the Coronas bought the 303-square-meter condominium at P14.5 million in 2009, and paid with two checks (dated October 2008 and April 2009) worth P5 million each and another worth P4.5 million (dated October 2009).

Marikina Representative Romero Quimbo said neither the Bonifacio Ridge nor the Bellagio condominium unit was declared in the SALN of Corona after the acquisition.

The two properties only appeared in Corona’s filing made in 2010. “So the pattern of deceit and lies are clear in so far as the SALN is concerned,” Quimbo said.