#cj corona

[philippinecanadianinquirer-blog]

Ex-CJ Corona laid to rest

Ex-CJ Corona laid to rest

Dismissed Chief Justice Renato Corona. (Wikipedia photo) MANILA – The remains of the late former Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Coronado Corona were laid to rest at the Heritage Park, Taguig City on Friday. From the Supreme Court in Faura, Manila, the remains of Corona were brought to the Heritage Park and a mass was held with the family before the interment. Aside from the family of the…

View On WordPress

[karlcrockets]

Convicted. Trials and tribulations. A dose of hypocrisy.

Yesterday, the historic impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona came to an eventful end. It lasted 5 months on 44 trial days. Evidences from both the prosecution and the defense were laid down. Arguments were set forth. Families were involved. After the trials and tribulations, it all came down to the vote. On the vote 20-3-0, Chief Justice Corona had been convicted of all charges that were filed on him on Article II of the impeachment complaint that were filed by 188 members of the House of Representatives last December which was about the culpable violation of the constitution as he failed to write down on his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SAL-N) all of his cash and properties. For the first time in history, the Philippines had finished an impeachment trial. Since the last impeachment trial held was cut short when the accused then-President Joseph Estrada was removed from office on the events of EDSA II before the trial came to an end. First of all, before I give my personal view. Let me clear out that I am no professional political analyst or legal expert, and I write based on the traits and beliefs that I believe in. As much as I wanted to respect the ruling of the impeachment court, I am disappointed of how it came down. I was hoping for Chief Justice Corona to be acquitted of all charges filed against him, since it was my own belief that despite the accusations that were filed to him, he was a "victim" of the current administration's machinery that was set to take down all the enemies of the administration. Starting from the House where the ruling party has a strong grip, and the fact they reacted positively to the news of his conviction. The fact that he was somewhat connected with the previous administration is something viewed as "evil". I admire the 3 senator-judges who voted for his acquittal. Senators Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. for voting with a clear conscience and without any sign of politics. Hats off to Sen. Santiago who will be a member of the International Criminal Court starting this year. Even I wanted his acquittal, there are some senators who voted for his conviction I admire, like Senator Alan Peter Cayetano for a well-said and well-documented explanation of his side, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero for setting an example in his statement, Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid for being humble in his statement that he is not a law expert as his background shows, and that he was a representation of the Filipino masses, and of course the presiding officer Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile whom at the age of 88, has a intelligent view of the case and his statement of his decision was awe-inspiring. As for the other senator-judges who voted for his conviction (not all, and not to be named). In my view, it was a dose of hypocrisy. The way the decided the case is purely political and I think they are setting up for the coming midterm elections next year so that they can show to the public that they are the right people to vote for as they voted for the conviction of the Chief Justice who was viewed as a "demon" to the judiciary that must be taken out of office, in which they were successful in doing so. The fact that President Aquino was reacting positively in the conviction of Corona was a sign that he wanted him out of the job using the government machinery at his disposal from the House where he has a lot of allies, to the BIR, to the Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales who had a long history with Corona, and to other government agencies the prosecutors used in their battle for his conviction. I'd also give my kudos to the Defense team led by Ret. Justice Serafin Cuevas, for giving it their all for the past 5 months of this trial. He may have been convicted, but I believe that "Justice had not been served." As this eventful saga of our history has come to an end, we should learn from the lessons it has given to us. We should be mindful about the things that we have with us today. We should remember that those in public service devote and commit their lives for the betterment of our nation. The trial may have come to an end, like the result or not, we must continue with the things we must fulfill and ought to do. The healing process begins today, for a lot has happened from the beginning of this trial, until its eventful end. God bless our nation, the Philippines. K-Smoove

[philosoffee-blog]

Statcon fever

Disclaimer: The following are links from different sites and blogs about various topics which I/we need for our Midterm Exam in Stat Con. If your work is among those cited here and you want me to remove it, just leave a message via my ask or comment via Disqus.

CJ Corona Impeachment Trial

Sen. Miriam Santiago: Impeachment Trial Manifestation

Sen. Miriam Santiago: manifestation before Impeachment Court (for more of the senator's thoughts visit her official newsblog)

Unofficial transcript of the closing arguments

Sen. Pia Cayetano on Corona's Walk Out

Explanations for "convict" votes

Sen. Francis Escudero's explanation for his vote

Sen. Franklin Drilon's explanation for his vote

Sen. Honasan's explanation for his vote 

Sen. Lapid's speech in the impeachment trial

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan explanation for his vote 

Sen. Pia Cayetano's explanation of vote on Article 2

Sen. Recto's explanation for his vote 

Sen. Trillanes' explanation for his vote 

Explanatios for "acquit" votes

Sen. Bongbong Marcos' speech in the impeachment trial

Sen. Miriam Santiago: Explanation for her vote in CJ's Impeachment Trial

Oral Arguments for JBC Composition

Congress underrepresented at the JBC, Senator Arroyo tells Supreme Court

High court hears arguments on JBC

video of ANC w/ JBC member Jose Mejia as guest

[adoborice]

Sen Miriam Defensor Santiago's explanation of vote in the impeachment trial of CJ Corona

The Constitution provides that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent, until the contrary is proved.  The burden of proof is on the prosecution.  How much proof is necessary?  In other words, what is the standard of proof?  I have adopted the very high standard of “overwhelming preponderance of evidence.”  My standard is very high, because removal by conviction on impeachment is a stunning penalty, the ruin of a life. 

Read the full article here

[pilipinaz-blog]

Gaya gaya kasi eh!

[kineticperpetual-blog]

The CJ Issue

It has been my habit to watch Corona's trials these past weeks since I got nothin' to do. Actually, I'm initially for CJ's conviction. ☺☺ Well, when he got convicted due to the 20 votes, I felt happy and proud! Since I knew nothing about the issue, I sided with the majority. I believed that CJ was (errrr) guilty and blameworthy. Hahahaha! 

When I discovered that my social science teacher was bursting in anger when he found out that Corona was convicted, I paused for a moment and read backgrounder articles about the "real" issue. Hmmm, I was partly moved 'coz indeed, it was a "lame" accusation, a trap for Corona. If I were a bad guy (HAHA) and if I hated him so much, I may consider checking what aspects is he vulnerable for legal attack (pardon my poor organization of thoughts huhu .___.).. and this discrepancies/irregularities/inconsistencies in his SALN is just the perfect weapon.

Actually, it was indeed a pretty valid accusation. They have a point! Here's an excerpt from the writings of Maynigo:

After the revisions and careful analysis, I made the following observations:

The law requires the declaration of the acquisition costs of all real properties. CJ Corona FAILED to report the said costs.

The law requires the declaration of ALL Cash on Hand and in Bank. It does not exclude foreign currency accounts. Bank testimonies prove the existence of a dollar account owned by CJ Corona. Even if the dollar account only has $1 or $700,000, he should have declared it. CJ Corona FAILED to do it.

He purchased a land in 1992 and a condo in 1997 both by installment. CJ Corona FAILED to declare them in his 2002 SALN as property-owned and if still not fully paid, as loan/mortgage payable.

For 2003, I computed: a Total Asset (Fixed and Current Asset) Discrepancy of P20837720; a Total Liability Discrepancy of P16758800; and a Net Worth Discrepancy of P4078920.

For 2004, I computed: a Total Asset Discrepancy of P24426651.82; a Total Liability Discrepancy of P16758800; and a Net Worth Discrepancy of P24426651.82.

For 2005, I computed: a Total Asset Discrepancy of P32526651.82; a Total Liability Discrepancy of P25858800; and a Net Worth Discrepancy of P32526651.82.

For 2006, I computed: a Total Asset Discrepancy of P30526651.82; a Total Liability Discrepancy of P25858800; and a Net Worth Discrepancy of P30526651.82.

For 2007, I computed: a Total Asset Discrepancy of P39635782.35; a Total Liability Discrepancy of P25858800; and a Net Worth Discrepancy of P39635782.35.

For 2008, I computed: a Total Asset Discrepancy of P33626651.82; a Total Liability Discrepancy of P23768800; and a Net Worth Discrepancy of P33626651.82.

BUT, according to Section 17 or the Foreign Currency Deposit Act, which, I guess, is the reason why Corona didn't declare those million dollar accounts in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN):

Section 17. A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often thereafter as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth. In the case of the President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Commissions and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law.

My attention was caught by the words "as provided by law". 

I personally blame the media for its biased reporting. Mehehe it's because if you're unaware of the real issue you'll really think Corona's a super corrupt politician/smuggler/etc. CJ has his fault, but the media "exaggerated" it to the nth level. CJ committed a sin. He really deserves to be convicted but he's not a very bad person. We don't know the real story. After all, I personally believe that the senators still made a "good" decision although their speeches were full of premature election campaigns. Jeeez, I just don't understand the politics of this country anymr. *sigh*

[honoredsage]

Reaksyon at Opinyon sa Impeachment ni CJ Corona

Sabi nila, historical daw tong nangyari sa impeachment ni CJ Corona. At kahit na halos di ko napanood ang mga sessions nila, natutukan ko naman ang mga last 3-4 days ng impeachment.

Ang mababasa niyo ay galing lang sa isang kinse-anyos na mag-aaral, kaya wala pa rin po akong masyadong alam sa mundo. Nais ko lang pong mag-labas ng saloobin ko tungkol sa isyu na to.

Una, karapat-dapat ba na matanggal si Corona sa kanyang posisyon? Balak ko maging abogado balang araw, kaya naman, pinipilit kong makinig sa mga statement ng prosecution at defense, kahit minsan wala kong maintindihan. At sa point of view ko, oo, tama ang desisyon nila na guilty.

Sa pagkakaintindi ko, sa pagkakaintindi ng isang ordinaryong mamamayan, medyo katakataka ang mga ginawang aksyon ni Corona. Lipat ng pera dito, doon, dito, doon. Pareho kami ng pagkakaintindi ni Sen. Lapid na walang pinagkaiba ang 100 baso ng tubig kung ililipat mo to sa isang drum.

Hindi ko alam kung isang mabuti o isang masamang tao si Corona. Pero wala akong makitang dahilan na gawin niya yun sa kanyang pera kung wala talaga siyang tinatago. Maaaring masyado ng huli ang kanyang aksyon na pabuksan ang kanyang mga accounts.

Sa mga senador naman, nung huling araw, pinakinggan ko isa-isa yung mga speeches nila. In general, nagustuhan ko yung mga nagsalita ng naglagay ng tagalog sa kanilang talumpati, para naman maintindihan ng lahat.

Una kong napansin ang kay Alan Cayetano. Bakit nga naman kailangan gawing komplikado ang mga simpleng bagay.

Syempre, sunod ko ng napansin ang kay Santiago. Matalino siya, that's a given. Pero ang hindi ko maintindihan, ay kung bakit lagi siyang galit. Bilang isang senador, na napapanood ng maraming Pilipino, sa tingin ko ay dapat lamang na magpakita siya ng mas mahinahon na ugali. Isa siyang nirerespeto na politiko, at kung siya ay maging masyadong emosyonal, sana naman ay pigilan niya ito bilang pag-galang sa lahat ng nakikinig sa kanya. Maaari naman na magsalita ng mahinahon, gaya na lang ni Sen. Arroyo.

Nagustuhan ko ang kay Sen. Lapid. Pakiramdam ko ay siya ang naging boses ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan. Tagalog ang kanyang speech, napaka-Pilipino. Madaling intindihina ang kanyang mga sinabi. Sana nga lang, hindi to idahilan ng iba na huwag ng mag-aral at sabihin na "Bakit si Lapid?", mas maganda pa rin ang may pinag-aralan. Kung binigyan ka ng oppurtidad na makapag-aral, huwag mo tong sayangin.

Special mention din si Sen. Trillanes. Ang astig talaga nung pagkakasabi niya na "My verdict is guilty.". Maikli lang ang kanyang sinabi, pero andun na lahat ang kailangan. Ang iba pa kasing mga senador, medyo irrelevant na ang pinag-sasabi.

Hanga rin ako kay Sen. Enrile. Sa tingin ko ay maganda ang ginawa niyang trabaho bilang presiding senator-judge. Kaso, hindi ko na masyadong natutukan yung speech niya kasi inantok na ako at napakahaba nun.

Magaling pareho ang prosecution at ang defense. Pareho silang matatalino.

Sana naman, maging simula na to ng pagbabago sa Pilipinas. Masyado ng maraming oras ang na-konsume ng mga senador sa impeachment. Kung pabubuksan nila ang kanilang mga account, sila na bahala dun. Sa sarili nila, dapat alam nila kung ano and dapat gawin. Mahiya naman sila sa mga bumoto sa kanila, wag nila yun sayangin. Sana dahil natapos na tong impeachment, mas magiging malinis na ang mga politiko at matakot na ang mga gumagawa ng hindi tama, at tumigil na dito.

Para naman kay Corona, mag-pagaling siya, at magsimula ng bago.

Para naman sa Pilipinas, magbago na tayo. Huwag lagi isisi sa mga politiko ang kasalanan, na sila ang laging corrupt, na kung tayo mismo ay nagnanakaw.

God Bless the Philippines.

(P.S. Ang ganda ni Atty. Karen Jimeno, yung spokeperson ng defense XD)