After 22 years, Corona’s wife found out Vicente’s property still in her name

MANILA, Philippines—Since her property was bought in 1990, the wife of Chief Justice Renato Corona on Wednesday said she only saw Demetrio Vicente 22 years later after she learned that the title to the property is still in her name.

“Since we sold the property to him in 1990, we didn’t see him again until 2012 when I was told that the title of this property was still in my name,” Cristina Corona said in a text message sent to reporters.

During Vicente’s testimony on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona, he said the parcels of land with a total area of 1,700 square meters and purchased for P509,900 in 1990 remained in Cristina’s name as well as the tax declaration.

On cross examination, it was revealed that the deed of absolute sale between Cristina and Vicente involving the seven parcels of land in Marikina City was notarized by an unlicensed notary public in Makati in 1990 and witnessed by the Chief Justice himself.

“The notary public is Atty. Beth Mantoya who used to notarize the documents in SGV (Sycip Gorres and Velayo). When she resigned from SGV, she joined Romulo Mabanta Law Office,” she said.

She added her property was sold thru a broker who brought the buyer, Vicente, to her house.

“Even if the buyer turned out to be a relative of my husband, we paid the broker’s fee because we did not sell it directly to him…By the way, the buyer’s wife, Mrs. Lita Vicente is the first cousin of Mr. Kenny Morales, husband of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales whom according to Mr. Vicente, has been to his house,” Cristina said.