Corona denies charges, blames Aquino

MANILA, Philippines — The head of the Philippine Supreme Court has denied charges that he stole from the country’s coffers and accuses President Benigno Aquino III of conspiring to remove him from office.

Chief Justice Renato Corona testified Tuesday in his impeachment trial that has become the main focus of Aquino’s anti-corruption effort. The anti-graft prosecutor testified last week that Corona failed to declare $10 million to $12 million recorded in 82 bank accounts under his name.

Corona said he has four dollar accounts and invoked bank secrecy laws that protect the confidentiality of foreign deposits. He said he made his wealth as a successful lawyer before joining the government and from the sale of his wife’s property.

If convicted in the Senate, he must resign.