Chief Justice Renato Corona regarded as a “welcome admission” the disclosure of Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., head of the House prosecution team, that the Chief Justice did not own 45 properties as the prosecution earlier claimed, a defense lawyer said Sunday.
Tranquil Salvador III said Tupas’ revelation on the 11th day of the impeachment trial in the Senate on February 2 was “just consistent” with Corona’s claim that he only had five properties registered in his name.
“For him, it was a welcome admission because even at the onset, the Chief Justice was saying that he owns only five properties,” Salvador said in a mobile phone interview.
“I think, slowly but surely, we’re making the public understand that although we have yet to present our evidence, it’s not true (that Corona owns) 45 properties,” he said.
Salvador said Corona was closely monitoring his impeachment trial and was regularly meeting with members of the defense panel.
Amid the continued attacks on his character, Corona is ready to face consequences of this impeachment trial, the defense lawyer said.
“He’s aware that this is the reality, being a lawyer himself. He knew he would face dirty tricks and vilification,” Salvador said.
“I know it’s hard for the family, especially when (Corona) sees his wife and children hurt by the accusations. But he’s aware of the possible consequences, whether it be good or bad.”
Replying to Senator Francis Escudero’s query, Tupas admitted that the prosecution would not be able to present during the proceedings documents pertaining to the 45 properties.
This prompted Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada to take the floor and ask Tupas regarding the circumstances of the prosecution’s previous claim that the Chief Justice owned parcels of land and condominium units.
Tupas said the information about Corona’s alleged properties came from the Land Registration Authority and not the prosecution.
When Estrada pointed out that the prosecution held a news briefing regarding the 45 properties, Tupas claimed that the press conference was only about Corona’s penthouse unit in the ritzy The Bellagio in Taguig City.
However, members of the media who covered the news conference recalled that it was Marikina City Representative Miro Quimbo, the prosecution spokesperson, who first divulged the details of Corona’s properties.