Chief Justice Renato Corona. PHOTO BY RICHARD REYES
MANILA, Philippines – A witness for the defense team testified on Tuesday that the majority shares in the Basa-Guidote Enterprise Inc (BGEI) were bought by the daughter of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The issue involving BGEI owned by the family of Corona’s wife, Cristina, was dragged into the impeachment trial of Corona when the chief justice declared in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) an P11 million cash advance from the company.
Defense lawyer Jose Roy III presented the witness, Quezon City Regional Trial Court sheriff Joseph Bisnar, to the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, to prove that the “bulk of the shares in Basa-Guidote are now owned by Carla Corona-Castilo, the daughter of the Chief Justice.”
“The purpose for establishing this fact is to demonstrate to the court that whatever it is was done with the so-called Guidote-Basa funds will in effect be capable of ratification by the purchase of the shares as virtually the sole stockholder,” Roy said.
It was Bisnar, Roy said, who auctioned the 4, 729 shares of BGEI of the late Jose Maria Basa III, and another 110 shares from a certain Raymundo Basa.
“That sum of the shares was sold at public auction for P28,000 to one Carla Corona Castillo, the daughter the Chief Justice,” said the defense lawyer.
Carla Corona-Castilo acquired the shares on September 2003 or two years before the BGEI through Corona’s wife, Cristina, sold a P34 million property in Sampaloc, Manila to the City of Manila.
“And so the proceeds of the sale of the property, P34.7 million went to Carla Corona?” asked Senate President and presiding officer Juan Ponce-Enrile.
“That’s not quite how it happened,” Roy said.
“Why not? She’s the owner of the corporation?” Enrile asked again.
Roy said it was because Corona’s daughter “entrusted” the management of the BGEI funds to its current custodian, whom he did not name.
“It’s matter between family members. We will show the she entrusted the management of the funds,” said the lawyer.
After answering Enrile’s queries, the defense lawyer proceeded with his direct examination of the witness.
Bisnar confirmed that the BGEI shares were bought by Corona’s daughter, who turned out to be the only one interested to buy the shares.
“Ang sumagot po ay isang tao lamang .. si Carla Castillo po,” Bisnar said.