Yt Framework

House Deputy Speaker and District I Representative Beng Climaco the other day said Chief Justice Renato Corona, who is on trial, should not shift the burden to the 188 solons and a senator who petitioned for his impeachment, just to divert or create an unreasonable condition for him togrant a waiver to open his dollar bank accounts.

Cong. Climaco said this, as she reiterated her firm standin support of transparency but stressed that the real issue is Corona’s failureto disclose his bank accounts or deposits in his statement of assets andliabilities and net worth (SALN).

“He is the one on trial and he should not shift theburden to others just to divert or create an unreasonable condition or excusefor him not to grant the waiver”, the lady solon, one of the signatories in theimpeachment complaint, said.

Besides, she emphasized, bank accounts of government officialsare already subject to scrutiny by the Ombudsman who has the sole authority toinvestigate government officials.

“So a waiver will serve no real purpose”, Cong.Climaco added.
Prior to the dramatic conclusion of his testimonybefore the Senate-Court last Tuesday, May 22, the chief justice signed a waiverauthorizing the disclosure of his bank accounts and other assets by the banksand government agencies on condition that all the 188 lawmakers who signed theimpeachment complaint, as well as Senator Franklin Drilon, sign a similarwaiver as well. 

On Friday, however, the Chief Justice finallysubmitted his unconditional waiver to the impeachment court allowingauthorities to release details of his bank accounts. The court welcomed the waiverbut said it could no longer summon other witnesses for the hearing, given thatthe case has already been submitted for decision.

The impeachment complaint against the chief justice cameafter Corona and seven other appointees of former President Gloria Arroyo inthe Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to block thetravel ban against Mrs. Arroyo.

The grounds for Corona’s ouster are betrayal of publictrust, culpable violation of the Constitution and graft and corruption, citing specificallyin the eight articles of impeachment his “undue closeness” to Arroyo who isunder hospital arrest for electoral sabotage.

by: Marvin Segura