MANILA, Philippines—Defense counsel Tranquil Salvador said Wednesday that Chief Justice Renato Corona legitimately made P26 million from his job in the Supreme Court from 2002 up to 2011.
Salvador said they were able to prove P1.7 million and P3.3 million from Corona’s allowances, per diem and other benefits in the Senate and House of Representatives’ electoral tribunals, respectively.
The two witnesses called by the defense were Irene Guevarra, secretary of the Senate electoral tribunal, and Girlie Salarda of the House of Representatives electoral tribunal.
Defense presented Tuesday the Budget and Disbursement officer of the Supreme Court, Araceli Bayuga, who testified that Corona made P21 million from salaries, allowances and other benefits from 2002 up to 2011.
“If you will compute, that is almost P26 million,” Salvador said.
“We want to prove that his income is legitimate and not stolen or ill-gotten … contrary to what the prosecution has been saying all along.” he added.
Salvador said they have now been able to explain the legitimate income of the Chief Justice and reduce the number of properties he allegedly owns.
Salvador said that the prosecution earlier claimed there were 45 properties, “but now they admit there are only 24 properties, 6 of which are parking lots.”
“From the 18 properties that are left, eight are owned by Demetrio Vicente,” Salvador said.
Demetrio Vicente, a defense witness, had earlier testified that he bought seven properties in Marikina City owned by Cristina Corona and one adjacent property from Miriam Roco, sister of Cristina, back in 1990.
The properties were still in the name of the original owners because Vicente had not yet been able to pay the required transfer tax to put them under his name, but he testified that he has been paying all other corresponding real estate taxes since 1990.
Salvador reiterated Corona’s statement since before the start of the impeachment trial that he only owns five properties.
Salvador said “it has only been the third day of our presentation, we still have more witnesses who will explain and prove everything in the right time.”