Former Chief Justice Renato Corona. FILE PHOTO/SENATE POOL
MANILA, Philippines—Former Chief Justice Renato Corona on Thursday said the string of cases being filed against him and his family is but an attempt of the government to divert the public’s attention from the multi-billion public fund mess.
Corona issued the statement after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the filing of over P130-million forfeiture case, several counts of perjury and violation of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees against him and his wife Cristina.
“I know that this charade is just a diversionary propaganda to take away public attention from the indefensible illegal use of public funds which has destroyed the last remaining fabric of morality in public service and any semblance of whatever remains of the Rule of Law,” Corona said in a statement.
Corona was impeached in May 2012 for not including in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) over a hundred million stashed in banks.
Then, at the height of the questions on the legality of the Disbursement Allocation Program (DAP), Senator Jinggoy Estrada revealed that P50 million in funds were released as incentives to the senators for Corona’s impeachment.
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla also added that President Benigno Aquino III even met him about his vote on the impeachment.
DAP’s legality is still pending before the Supreme Court.
The Budget Department admitted that P50 million to P100 million under the DAP were released to senators, but only months after the impeachment trial.
Aside from the case before the Sandiganbayan, Corona is also facing 12 counts of tax evasion cases before the Court of Tax Appeals.
“The harassment against me and my family continues without let up. The Malacañang cabal was not content with removing me from office. They have been filing all sorts of baseless and contrived cases against me and members of my family,” Corona said. His son-in-law was also slapped with a tax evasion case.
“I will not back out from this fight just as I never did from that phony impeachment mistrial because I know I am telling the truth unlike those who persecuted and continue to persecute me and my family up to the present,” Corona added.
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