Legarda votes to convict Corona

MANILA, Philippines – Senator-Judge Loren Legarda voted to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona, saying that if the Supreme Court dismissed its low ranking officers for non-declaration in their statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), the chief magistrate deserved the same fate.

Focusing on Article 2, Legarda cited a case decided by the high court in 1997 wherein a court interpreter was dismissed from office after failing to declare his business. “Kung ang R.A. 6713 ay nagpaparusa ng dismissal sa ordinaryong kawani upang maiwasan ang katiwalian, wala akong nakikitang dahilan para hindi ipatupad ang parehong batas sa punong mahistrado.”

She said that the disclosure of public officials’ SALNs was a “key fundamental element on transparency” and a “centerpiece principle of democracy. Disclosure is the only window where the public can judge whether we enriched ourselves while in office.”

“If we acquit the chief justice, we would tragically lift a floodgate of widespread distrust in the Supreme Court. We also lower bar of public accountability.”