Corona cousin testifies over Marikina properties

MANILA, Philippines—A 70-year-old witness was presented by the defense team in connection with the properties allegedly owned by the wife of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Demetrio C. Vicente, a cousin of Corona, testified before the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, that he bought seven parcels of land in Marikina City from Corona’s wife, Cristina, in July 1990.

“I paid P509,989 something…” Vicente said, responding to queries of Corona’s lead counsel, former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas.

Vicente said the seven parcels of land which he bought from Mrs. Corona had a total area of 1,700 square meters.

The prosecution team revealed several properties in the name of Mr. and Mrs. Corona that were not allegedly declared in the Chief of Justice’s statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN)

Corona’s alleged failure to disclose to the public his SALN was contained in Article 2 of the impeachment complaint filed against the Chief Justice.