Protest groups spotted near Senate—police

In this file photo, a supporter of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona displays a sticker on his forehead Thursday, May 17, 2012, on the grounds of the Supreme Court in Manila, Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Several rally groups have been spotted around the Senate area in Pasay City, where the verdict on Chief Justice Renato is expected to be known Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Senior Police Officer 1 Guardian Andito of Pasay police tactical operations said around 80 protesters from the Health Alliance for Democracy staged a short protest calling for Corona’s conviction in front of the Manila Film Center early Tuesday.

In a statement, the group said the seriousness of the accusations and evidences against Corona render him unfit to be a chief justice, thus, he must be removed from his office.

“The discrepancies in the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth of Corona and his actual bank accounts alone can be the basis for his conviction,” Dr. Geneve Rivera Reyes, secretary general of the group said.

Even if the testimony of a defense witness saying that Corona earned P21.6 million since 2002 will be considered, Reyes said it wouldn’t be enough to cover Corona’s actual bank account and the purchases he made on different properties.

“In addition, Corona admitted to having four US dollar accounts containing $2.4 million which he did not declare in his SALN,” she said.

Meanwhile, Andito said that around 1,000 protesters from Akbayan were spotted nearing the Senate from Roxas Boulevard.

He said the group calls for Corona’s acquittal.