Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, center, is escorted by senate security to testify for the first time in his impeachment trial Monday, May 22, 2012 in the Philippine Senate in Manila, Philippines. Corona is facing impeachment allegedly for "betrayal of public trust", the first in the history of Philippine judiciary. At right is Corona's wife Cristina. AP/Bullit Marquez
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.