Bello clueless on Corona’s alleged $10-M deposits

Akbayan Representative Walden Bello

MANILA, Philippines—Akbayan Representative Walden Bello on Wednesday said he knew nothing about beleaguered Chief Justice Renato Corona’s alleged $10-million deposits for which he, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and three others were being summoned by the Senate, acting as an impeachment court.

“The $10-million figure came from investigation of Ombudsman following our complaint,” he told reporters, pointing out that their filing a complaint for forfeiture on Corona was based on an estimate of the chief magistrate’s properties and peso accounts.

“Paano natuklasan ni Ombudsman Morales yung $10 million, hindi ko alam (How Ombudsman Morales found out about the [alleged] $10 million, I have no idea).”

He said he was prepared to appear before the impeachment court but was presently out of the country for several conferences on financial crisis and reproductive health.

Bello, Morales, former Representative Risa Hontiveros, Emmanuel Santos and Harvey Keh have been summoned by the impeachment tribunal.

Corona’s defense lawyers have earlier promised his appearance at the proceedings once those who accused him of owning $10-million deposits have come forward as well.