Aquino ally finds Demetrio Vicente credible witness

Sergio Osmeña III. INQUIRER file photo

An ally of President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday said he found Demetrio Vicente “credible” after confirming from sources that the witness indeed was living on the property that was still registered in the name of Ma. Cristina Corona.

“His answers, the consistency, he seemed to know what he was doing. He was quite sure of his facts. He was not perfect, which indicates a patina of truth. And I confirmed with certain people if he lived there, and they said ‘yes.’ They have visited him there (in Marikina City),” said Senator Sergio Osmeña III.

The senator, a gardening aficionado, also joked that Vicente’s credibility was strengthened by the fact that “he likes bonsai and I like bonsai.”

“As a matter of fact, (Vicente) has one of the largest collections of bonsai. That’s why he has a big lot—3,400 square meters,” Osmeña added.

Best bonsai artist

“I was wondering (at the start of his testimony) what on earth anybody would need with 3,400 square meters. (I learned) it’s full of bonsai. And (Vicente) is one of the best bonsai artists in this country,” the senator said.

Osmeña also said he was willing to overlook Vicente’s failure to register the property in his name despite his acquisition of eight parcels of land from Cristina and her sister more than 20 years ago.

“I have relatives whose properties are still under the names of their grandmothers. That’s a matter of laziness. And yes, it happens in this country,” the senator said. With a report from Lauranne Callet, INQUIRER.net

Originally posted at 07:23 pm | Wednesday, March 14,  2012