Ex-mayor Atienza to testify on sale of P34-M Corona property

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza will testify for the defense team about the sale of a P34-million property in Manila owned by the family of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s wife.

Atienza confirmed this in a chance interview with Senate reporters on Thursday, barely two hours before the impeachment trial resumes at 2:00 in the afternoon.

“I was invited,” Atienza said when asked if he was subpoenaed to appear before the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court.

He initially refused to disclose to the reporters what he would testify in the trial, saying I will testify anyway.”

“I’m going to tell the truth, exactly what happened,” Atienza said.

Further pressed, however, Atienza finally disclosed that he would testify about the sale of a 1,200-square-meter property in Sampaloc, which was bought in 2001 for P34 million from the Basa-Guidote Enterprise Inc. “in trust for” Cristina Corona, wife of the Chief Justice.

“Nandon ang pangalan ni Mrs. Corona (The name of Mrs. Corona was there),” he added.

Atienza said the property had old structure and commercial stores. It has been converted into a market