MANILA, Philippines—Chief Justice Renato Corona has allegedly declared in his 1992 statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN) a property in Marikina already sold by his wife in 1990, a senator pointed out during the impeachment trial on Tuesday.
Senator Ralph Recto noted that when Corona first entered the government in July 1992, he declared a Marikina property in his SALN.
A witness presented before the Senate by Corona’s lawyers claimed, however, that he bought seven parcels of land in Marikina with a total area of 1,700 square meters from Corona’s wife, Cristina, for P509, 989 in July 1990.
Demetriou C. Vicente, who claimed to be a second cousin of the Chief Justice, said the properties, which were put in one title, remained in the name of Mrs. Corona because he failed to transfer it in his name for lack of money.
Aside from Mrs. Corona’s property, Vicete said he also bought another property, also a 1,700 square meter lot, from Miriam Roco, sister of Mrs. Corona or sister-in-law of the Chief Justice.
The witness said he also bought the property from Roco for the same amount, also in 1990.
But Recto stood up and asked the defense lawyers who presented the witness to prove that he now owns the property of Mrs. Corona.
“Kung ibinenta noong 1990 hindi na dapat ilagay sa SALN ni Corona after 1990? (If it was sold in 1990,it should not have been included in the SALN of Corona in 1990) ” asked Recto.
Corona’s lead counsel, former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas, answered: “It should be that way.”
“Ngunit doon sa SALN ng Chief Justice noong 1992, bakit andon pa rin nakalagay iyong property ng Marikina? (But in the SALN of the Chief Justice in 1992, why was the Marikina property still there?)” Recto asked again.
Cuevas said, “Because the purchaser has not declared it in his name so the records of whether the register of deeds or the assessor’ office, they are still in the original owners.”
“E bakit noong 1993 tinanggal na..? (Why was it not included in 1993?)” Recto asked again, to which Cuevas answered; “I’m not privy as yet…”
At that point, Recto reiterated Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile’ call for Corona to personally appear before the Senate and answer these questions.