CA affirms Corona’s claim over Sampaloc property

Renato C. Corona. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has affirmed the claim of the family of former Chief Justice Renato Corona that they are the owners of a property in Sampaloc, Manila which was cited during the impeachment trial last year.

In a 15-page decision dated October 31, the appeals court’s 10th Division, through Associate Justice Angelita Gacutan, said it could not find any reversible error on the part of the trial court in ordering the reconveyance of the Sampaloc property, now the Sampaloc Market, to the Basa Guidote Enterprises, Inc. (BGEI), a corporation owned by the family of Cristina Roco-Corona, wife of the former chief justice.

The appeals court dismissed the claim of the Basas that Cristina has no legal personality to initiate the reconveyance suit for the 1,020-square meter lot on Legarda Street in Sampaloc, Manila on behalf of her mother, the late Asuncion Basa Roca.

The court noted that Cristina was duly appointed by her mother.

The appeals court also pointed out that it is highly improbable that the sale of the property to BGEI was simulated as claimed by Cecilia Henson-Basa because she affixed her signature in the deed of sale.

It added that the fact that the property was not included in the extrajudicial settlement for the Basa siblings means it is no longer part of their property.

The property was mentioned during Corona’s impeachment trial to justify the non-inclusion of peso deposits in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth saying the money was for BGEI, the family company of his wife.