Prosecution to take on Corona’s SALN at resumption of trial

MANILA, Philippines — Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona’s alleged failure to disclose to the public his statements of assets and liabilities and net worth (SALN) will be the first issue that the prosecution team will present in the Senate when it resumes its trial of the chief justice this Tuesday.

Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., chief prosecutor, and Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr., a team member assigned to argue the issue of the SALN, disclosed this in separate statements hours before the 2:00 p.m. resumption of the trial in the Senate.

“It’s almost sure unless unexpected things happen,” Barzaga said over the phone.

“We are ready to present our evidence—whether its testimonial or documentary,” he said.

Barzaga refused to identify their witnesses but said the prosecution requested the Senate to subpoena the Supreme Court Clerk of Court, the city assessors of Taguig, Marikina, Quezon, Makati, Pasay, and Parañaque, and the administrator of the Land Registration Authority (LRA) to testify on Corona’s properties.

It was LRA administrator Eulalio Diaz III, who gave the prosecution team a list of properties allegedly owned by the Chief Justice. Corona vehemently denied this, saying he owned only five of the 45 properties listed by the LRA.

The issue of SALN was the second of eight articles of impeachment contained in the complaint against Corona.

In the complaint, the prosecution alleged that Corona committed a culpable violation of the Constitution and/or betrayed public trust by failing to disclose his SALN.

But in his reply, the Chief Justice through his lawyers, denied the allegation, saying he has no ‘legal duty’ to disclose his SALN.

“Actually, what the the Constitution provides is that a public official shall, upon assumption of office and as often as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities and net worth,” said the reply.

“Clearly, what the Constitution and the law require is the accomplishment and submission of their (public officials) SALNs. CJ Corona has faithfully complied with this requirement every year,” it said.

“From that point, it is the Clerk of Court who has custody over his declaration of assets, liabilities, and net worth,” it added.