Witness to debunk prosecution claim on Taguig property

MANILA, Philippines—A witness was presented by the defense team on Thursday in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona to prove that he did not own a Mckinley Hill property in Taguig City.

Defense lawyer Dennis Manalo said the witness, Engineer Roberto Villaluz, officer-in charge of Taguig assessor’s office, will explain why the property was not included in the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of Corona.

“We will present the witness for the purpose of proving that there is basis for the non-inclusion of the McKinley property in the SALN of Chief Justice Corona considering that the official records in the city assessor’s office of Taguig shows TCT 2093 or the Mckinley property does not belong to Chief Justice Corona but to some other person,” Manalo said.

Manalo said the witness will also prove “the accuracy of the entries” in the SALN of Corona as of December 31, 2010 specially pertaining to the Bellagio and Bonifacio Ridge properties allegedly owned by the impeached chief magistrate.