Low taxes “unheard of” in the business, broker says
My Exclusive
By Raïssa Robles
Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona may have been sold a luxury penthouse at a very special discounted price. He also may have enjoyed tax breaks on the same transaction, courtesy of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, sources separately confirmed to me.
What’s wrong with that, his friends and allies are likely to say. After all, it’s a business transaction done in his own private time.
Perhaps I’m being idealistic in my expectations of how a Chief Justice ought to behave. I recall my late lawyer-father – who used to teach Legal Ethics at the University of the Philippines College of Law – narrating how, in the US, when one lawyer was appointed Chief Justice of the US Federal Court, he took to dining alone or with his family in public. He was trying to avoid conflict of interest situations.
I’m sure nearly every lawyer is familiar with the saying: Caesar’s wife must be above reproach. In the case of Chief Justice Corona, did his personal transactions raise any conflict of interest issues? Did he get favorable treatment due to his position, or treatment that is not otherwise accorded ordinary citizens?
Did he violate Republic Act No. 6713 which imposes a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards on all public officials and employees? Section 7 in particular states:
(d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. — Public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office [underlining is mine].
Interestingly enough, Megaworld Corporation, which directly sold the condo to CJ Corona, has had legal suits before the Supreme Court while Corona sat as an Associate Justice.
I do recall it won several suits before the Supreme Court. I could not see Corona’s name being mentioned as having cast any vote for or against Megaworld in any of the suits.
The suits of Megaworld decided in the Supreme Court can be viewed by clicking on this link and this link.
UPDATE, January 8, 2011 at 7:47 P.M.: Threecommenters named “George”, Manuel Buencamino and “Josh” have just pointed out to me that I had actually provided a link to the Supreme Court website showing that Renato Corona had penned a decision in 2004 in favor of Megaworld. Looking back, I was thrown off by the phrase “Corona, J.”
My brain had quickly dismissed it because I was thinking it must be a different Corona since his first name starts with “R.” Now I realize that “J.” stands for “Justice”. Click on this link to read CJ Corona’s decision.
Megaworld has refused to comment on its transaction with CJ Corona. I tried to broach the subject with Megaworld Investment Information Officer John Hao. He said he was not allowed to speak on the issue. He told me the same thing he had told the newspapers:
The company has a privacy policy under which it is committed to maintain all client information in strictest confidence. Consistent with this commitment, the company does not, as a matter of policy, disclose information pertaining to the business dealings with its clients.
We shall comply with the official orders of the authority – if summoned – in a proper forum.
Apart from John Hao, I talked to an architect and two other sources who do not know each other and have had no dealings with CJ Corona. Both declined to be identified. One is a prominent realty broker who deals with upmarket properties in Metro Manila. I will call him Pedro. The other works in a well-known property research firm specializing in tracking high-end properties. I’ll call him Danny.
Both Pedro and Danny were amazed at the price at which CJ Corona obtained his penthouse in Bellagio Tower 1. And at how low the taxes that were imposed on this property.
Both said that if offered the same deal, they would grab it quickly.
Why the Bellagio condo “is a steal”
Bellagio 1 was completed in end 2008, according to Megaworld. Before completion, Pedro the realty broker recalled that penthouse units there were pre-selling at P80,000 to P85,000 per sq m. At that price alone, CJ Corona’s 303.5 sq m unit would have cost at least P24.28 million. Add to that P800,000 per parking slot (of which he bought three) and that would raise the cost to P26.68 million.
CJ Corona’s penthouse was still cheaper than the pre-selling price.
According to the Deed of Absolute Sale between CJ Corona and Megaworld, the transaction was sealed and notarized on December 16, 2009 – or way past the pre-selling period. After a building is finished, units automatically rise in price because there is no longer the risk of non-completion, explained Danny of the property research firm.
This means, Danny said, CJ Corona would have normally been charged a higher price than the pre-selling price. And yet, according to the Deed of Absolute Sale, he paid only P14.5 million for the penthouse and three parking slots of 12.5 sq m each.
This means he actually owns 341 sq m in Bellagio. This means he only paid P42,521.99 per sq m, both Pedro and Danny said after their calculations.
“It’s really a steal I tell you,” Pedro said.
Portion of the Deed of Absolute Sale shows the terms of sale
Danny of the property research firm then placed CJ Corona’s purchase in the context of the prevailing market. He said that as a research firm, they track only developments they consider “premium”, “Grade A” and “Grade B” in five areas: Bonifacio Global City (also called BGC or The Fort) where Bellagio 1 is located; the Makati Central Business District or CBD, the Ortigas CBD, Eastwood and Rockwell.
Danny said Bellagio 1 belongs to the highest or premium grade category because of its location, “exclusivity”, floor area per unit, amenities and finishing.
To give you an idea, here are photos from the Megaworld website showing the interior of a Bellagio III unit:
Residents share in the use of the following:
- A 220 sq m swimming pool inclusive of the wading pool
- Sandy beach pool and water feature
- Aromatherm and SPA (male and female)
- Aromatherm Electronic Capsule (4 in 1)
- Hydrotherapy tub Steam
- Vichy Shower Wet table
- Heated Pool SPA in Glass Enclosure
- Fitness gym
- Music/piano function room, game room (billiards and table tennis)
- Day care center and play area
Danny said that of the 41 residential buildings located at BGC or The Fort, only six are considered premium buildings: Bellagio 1, 2 and 3, Essensa, Pacific Plaza and Serendra.
Danny noted that as of end 2008 when Bellagio 1 was completed, the average price of a condo unit in the Bonifacio area ranged from a low of P88,000 per sq m to a high of P115,000 per sq m.
“And he (Corona) got it for around P40,000 (a year later). Anyone would be amazed…because it is a Bellagio,” Danny said.
To give me an idea of how grossly under-priced Corona’s unit was, Danny said that at that time that CJ Corona bought his unit, condo units made by developer DMCI Homes were then selling at P42,000 per sq m. – which is the price at which Corona bought his property. DMCI projects are not high-end and are located in the outskirts of Parañaque, Quezon City and Taguig – not in the heart of Bonifacio, he said.
This is how DMCI Homes describes its market in its own website:
DMCI Homes is the country’s first Triple A builder/developer of premium quality, urban-friendly, serviced communities for young growing families of modest income that aspire to live comfortably near their place of work, of study and of leisure.
Hmmm. Families “of modest income” would have been able to afford CJ Corona’s Bellagio condo if only they were given the same terms that Corona got from Megaworld.
But Danny said, “You can’t get a Bellagio being sold at P42,000 per sq m. It’s so undervalued.” Especially because Bellagio 1 was the only building completed in 2008 with units sized over 300 sq m. The usual unit sizes being built in 2008 ranged from 220 sq m to 230 sq m, Danny said. And that was what made the Bellagio penthouses – that CJ Corona got – quite attractive.
From a purely business” standpoint, Danny found it “quite suspicious” for a developer to sell a prime unit at a loss”without any strings attached. “Maybe Megaworld has ties with Corona. I don’t know,” Danny said.
Why was Corona’s condo purchase taxed so low?
Aside from the low purchase price, CJ Corona seems to have benefited in the transaction in the form of low taxes.
The law taxes the buying and selling of property. The law required CJ Corona, as the buyer, to pay to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) a Documentary Stamp Tax equivalent to 1.5% of either the Selling Price or the Market/Zonal Value, “whichever is higher.”
The law also required the seller, Megaworld, to pay BIR a “Withholding Tax” equivalent to 5% of the Selling Price or the Market/Zonal Value, “whichever is higher.”
After payment, the BIR issues to the buyer a document called the Certificate Authorizing Registration or CAR. This details how much taxes were paid for the transaction.
In the case of CJ Corona’s condo purchase, everything seemed aboveboard at first glance. The tax was based on the Selling Price of P14.5 million because this was higher than the “Market/Zonal Value” of this piece of property.
CJ Corona’s CAR showed that BIR Revenue Officer Gerry O. Dumayas calculated the Market/Zonal Value of CJ Corona’s property at P6,827,200.
Wait a minute, I thought: P6,827,200 (the Market/Zonal Value) divided by 341 sq m would only give a Market/Zonal Value of P20,021 per sq m.
I remembered what Pedro earlier told me. To get the Zonal Value of an area, go to the BIR website and click on Zonal Values (under Special Sites).
He recalled that around 2008 Zonal Value for upscale Bonifacio area, where Bellagio stands, was even then around P80,000 per sq m.
I had to go back to both Pedro and Danny to confirm if I did the calculations correctly – that the BIR gave CJ Corona’s property a Zonal Value of P20,021 per sq m. instead of somewhere around P80,000.
I asked both of them to do the calculations. They came up with the same finding. His property was indeed under-taxed.
“Assuming that is true, that (kind of tax rate) is unheard of” for the Bonifacio area, Pedro said.
“That happens in our industry,” he said.
What happens in your industry, I asked.
Pedro said: “You know, you want savings (on your taxes), you pay only half, you save 25%, the other 25%, you know….”
“That was what was happening in the BIR at least before. Now they’re stricter. I really respect (the current tax chief Kim) Henares,” he added.
I asked both Pedro and Danny to confirm the following – if we assume that the Market/Zonal Value for the Bonifacio area at the time of CJ Corona’s purchase was around P80,000 per sq m, that would mean his 341 sq m property would have a Zonal Value of P27.28 million.
Since P27.28 million is higher than the P14.5 million he paid for the property, the tax he paid should have been based on the Market/Zonal Value and not on the selling price because the Market/Zonal Value is higher, right?
Both Pedro and Danny said “Yes.”
Under the law, CJ Corona had to pay documentary stamp tax equivalent to 1.5% of the selling price or Market/Zonal Value, “whichever was higher”. The BIR document shows he paid P217,655 – or 1.5% of the selling price since this was higher than the Zonal Value given in the document.
However, if the BIR had used P80,0000 per sq m as the Zonal Value, that would have made the Zonal Value P27.28 million for CJ Corona’s property higher than the Selling Price. This would mean, the Zonal Value would have been used as basis for calculating the Doc Stamp Tax. This would mean, CJ Corona should have been charged P409,200 instead of P217,655 by the BIR.
The same understatements are true for the Withholding Tax paid for this transaction. Instead of the P725,511.25 that was paid, it should have been P1.364 million.
All in all, the BIR seemed to have waived P830,033.80 in potential tax revenues in this transaction alone – P191,545 from the buyer CJ Corona and P638,488.80 from the seller Megaworld.
I tried to reach BIR Revenue Officer Gerry O. Dumayas last Friday. All I got was the answering machine in his office. I must have phoned him five times. He wasn’t in his office or was not picking up the phone.
Perhaps someone higher up asked Dumayas to do it?
I also tried to reach Supreme Court Administrator Midas Marquez but he wasn’t picking up. Other reporters have asked him about CJ Corona’s condo. Marquez has defended him saying CJ Corona could well afford to buy a condo.
What CJ Corona has admitted so far
CJ Corona’s Bellagio penthouse is cited as part of the evidence to show his alleged “culpable violation of the Constitution” and “betrayal of pubic trust.” The accusation against him reads:
2.4. Respondent is likewise suspected and accused of having accumulated ill-gotten wealth, acquiring assets of high values and keeping bank accounts with huge deposits. It has been reported that Respondent has, among others, a 300-sq. meter apartment in a posh Mega World Property development at the Fort in Taguig.
CJ Corona recently submitted his reply to the Senate. He denied the allegation it was ill-gotten. But he admitted owning it. He said:
Finally, Complainants allege in par. 2.4 that “reports” state CJ Corona acquired a 300-sq. m. apartment in the Fort, Taguig. Complainants speculate that he has not reported this in his SALN and that its price is beyond his income as a public official. CJ Corona admits that he and his wife purchased on installment a 300-sq. m. apartment in Taguiog, declared in his SALN when they acquired it.
From this statement, it is very clear that Corona claims he did not pay for the condo in lumpsum but “on installment”.
Pedro the realty broker told me Corona could easily prove what he said by presenting a document called the “Contract to Sell”. This is normally notarized in order to protect the buyer while paying on installment since the Condominium Certifcate of Title remains with the seller until everything is paid. The Contract to Sell states the installment terms and interest rate.
I haven’t seen any Contract to Sell. I don’t know if one exists. Only Corona or Megaworld or the notary public can produce it.
What I obtained from a source I can’t name is the Deed of Absolute Sale showing that the Corona couple paid in full for 38-B in Bellagio Tower 1, facing the Manila Golf and Country Club; as well as three basement parking slots of 12.5 sq m each.
You can view the Deed of Absolute Sale below, after the video.
To get an idea of how exclusive this property is, watch the video below on its triplet tower, Bellagio III:
DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE for Bellagio 1, page one
DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE for Bellagio 1, page two
CERTIFICATE AUTHORIZING REGISTRATION, BIR
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE -CJ CORONA’S CONDO at Bellagio Tower 1, 38th floor
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 1
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 2
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 3
lax says
Good job Ms Raissa Robles. More power. Pwede ba kitang e pm dito?
raissa says
Sorry ha,
Ano yung “pm”?
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Fr RAISSA somwhere here: “Sorry ha, Ano yung ‘pm’?”…. PASABAD NGA: Raissa, the dude just meant PRIVATE MESSAGE…. PM in Net abbreviation/parlance. ;)
Ben Ceniza says
PM=Personal Message
Ching Tsong Tsai says
PM =private message
raissa says
Pls send to [email protected]
kicks ignacio says
Wow. I’m amazed with the writer’s writing. Galing! You have very detailed information there. Keep it up!
Johnny lin says
EXPOSE: all in one movie operation in real life. Midas Marquez is the Yes Man,Transporter and Terminator that is why he is the Kick Ass of Corona, No wonder he smooches Corona’s butt unabashedly.
World Bank recent audit report found out that SC loans were spent without internal control by Court Administrator, appointed by Corona when he assumed Chief Justice position. Midas is the sole responsible officer who Approves, Disburses and End User of court supplies and travel privileges without limit up to 500,000 pesos a month, increase from 200,000 as soon as he was appointed.
Mel says
@Johnny lin
You got it right Pedro!
No wonder why he is so proactive and high strung in his defense of his benefactor.
According to newsinfo.inquirer, “[W]ithout naming Jose Midas Marquez, the World Bank said “this senior official, due to the combination of his appointments and functions, was the requestor of the services, the approver of the terms of reference, the end-user of the services provided by the firm, the authorizer of contract extensions, and the authorizer of payments to the firm.”
It said this arrangement, among others, “present[ed] a conflict of interest and eliminate[d] internal checks and balances applicable to the procurement and disbursement functions.”
—————–
Hey @Johnny lin
I notice that you ‘monopolize’ the right side column bar of Raïssa’s index page for ‘Latest comments:’. How come it takes our comments to appear, whereas yours – just as more quicker.
Ang lakas mo sa moderator, ah?
Johnny lin says
@mel
I think the main frame of Raissa froze thats why I notified her about problems her fans might have Lol
Mel says
@Johnny lin
You baffle the creeps on my end.
are you a smart–aleck that you seem to twit on no end…
ultimong website server side ni Raïssa, alam mo.
nakakapag hinayang ka @Johnny lin.
later on, you might claim you have all the IP addresses of the commenters here.
or you’re just pulling @ricky’s leg because of his wealth flaunting
– see related post by @Mel January 17, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Sorry Raïssa for the troll for the nth time.
pahamak si @Johnny lin
Johnny lin says
@mel
What do you mean “nakapanghihinayang ako”? My life has been very fruitful with successful cerebral children.
For the sake of trumpling his unnecessary cocky attitude, what I told @ricky was not far from truth though not in lump sum preferring to remain anonymous. Due to constant travel, I dont use a personal computer, no stored files because of God given gift of photographic memory, few email contacts, no fb or twitter friends, dont have own IP address because I use open wifi from an ipad bought from a homeless to be discarded easily, participate only on intellectual blogs like, Raissa, Newsbreak/Rapper with the common purpose for a Great Philippines by promoting changes on our current corrupt culture.
I’ve been called many names, you tagged me smart aleck; @ricky called me rich SOB, @arsenio labelled me fortune teller, @gloriatomas thought I was a lawyer or bar flunker, @august sarcastically addressed me idol, @nona named me a fake eonophile, @saxnviolins belittled me “dangerous” with skimpy knowledge because I debunked his theories culled from his legal education, @jcc asked me if I was a GMA stalker for knowing so much about her personals, while another guy called me a medical specialist. i am a retired professional “company” strategic analyst having tasted the luxurious trappings of the rich and famous. Shakespearean, whats in a name?
Being wealthy is worthless if not shared with the unfortunates, schools and churches, never with politicians nor to flaunt indiscriminatelyRipley?
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
From Raissa somewhere over the rainbow: “@august sarcastically addressed me idol….” Raissa if I am the AUGUST you were referring to… sorry to disappoint you. I never “sarcastically addressed” you as my idol…. I remember writing something like that once… but it was NOT — repeat NOT — you who I addressed it to. Ok ba, TUNAY KONG IDOL? (This capitalized part is under oath!) :)
raissa says
Sigue na nga.
Sandali,m paalam muna sa lahat.
got to work.
cres says
To all Raissa fans and disputants, here is not hot item related to the Thief Justice Corona impeachment case.
Just off the Phil. Daily Enquirer:
Final tranche canceled due to irregular expenses
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:08 am | Sunday, January 15th, 2012
0share5 5
The Supreme Court under the watch of Chief Justice Renato Corona has been weighed and found wanting.
The World Bank has uncovered questionable procurements and disbursements in the high court in connection with the Judicial Reform Support Project (JRSP). The project, partly funded by a World Bank loan of $21.9 million (P930.75 million at an exchange rate of P42.50 to $1), was designed to restore efficiency in the dispensation of justice in the country.
For complete reportt:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/128095/world-bank-loan-to-supreme-court-high-risk
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Forget about 45 or 5 properties. Just the Bellagio condo and this news item alone will hang Thief Justice Corona.
Mel says
Impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona has called a “hoax” a list of 40 real estate properties he and his kin allegedly own.
And he could be right.
Has anyone bothered to check the breakdown list of the ‘alleged’ 45 properties owned by R Corona and kin?
Check item no 33. TCT No. RT-106747(226256) it is “in the name of National Housing Authority”!
“That list of the LRA [Land Registration Authority] is a total fabrication. It is a hoax,” Corona said.
R Corona refers to 40 (perhaps admitting 5 are spot on), but the Land Registration Authority list contains 45. And it was signed by EULALIO C. DIAZ III Administrator. I do recall R Corona saying in a video clip interview that he was his student, and felt sad about it. Not really sure if he was directly referring to EULALIO C. DIAZ III – the clip was that short.
R Corona’s last available statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) in 2002, only 5 of the 45 are registered. 40 properties a hoax, Corona says
There is a discrepancy here which could result to a technical issue that could favor the defense team. How reliable is the LRA Administrator? Could he actually help the defense of this willful blunder? Or was it just a technical glitch or typing error? If yes, then the whole list could indeed be a hoax?
Sino kaya ang nakuryente dito?
Mel says
Here are the abs-cbnnews.com web links
– Prosecutors: Coronas amassed 40 properties in 9 years (By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News Posted at 01/12/2012 4:45 PM | Updated as of 01/13/2012 12:20 PM)
– (Click here for list of Corona’s alleged properties. pdf format docu with the scanned fax copy image embedded.)
Johnny lin says
@mel
Thats common in the Philippines like in buying cars, they do not change the original name of registrant just in case they want to rent or resale the property or car, less paper work, less bribe, easy to cheat on income tax., aside from obvious reason, hiding the source of income. One possibility implied there is # 33 TCT was obtained from LRA because somebody gave the prosecutors a Deed of Absolute Sale and Tax document on that property with Corona as buyer and a third party seller. The prosecutors and LRA officials are not that stupid, they know every tricks because to some of them, its their modus operandi too.Corona answered that way because thats what he thought if it were really his. You were blindsided, how many thousands more like you, thats what Corona was aiming with his press conference, neat eh! We’ll see.
LRA signatory official Atty Bautista, Corona said, he is his student, what he meant for mentioning it is puzzling? If he taught him legal ethics, Then his student learned well while the teacher does not practice what he preaches.
Mel says
@Johnny lin
Your wrote, “You were blindsided, how many thousands more like you, …”
LOL!
Thanks for that @Johnny lin. This is one thing about what is “… common in the Philippines like in buying cars, they do not change the original name of registrant just in case they want to rent or resale the property or car, less paper work, less bribe, easy to cheat on income tax., aside from obvious reason, hiding the source of income.”
If that practice is that common, doesn’t that become a source of swindling or graft? What if the ‘Deed of Absolute Sale and Tax document on that property with Corona as buyer and a third party seller’ was also manufactured? Any person (Coronas?) of interest (including House Prosecutors) may innocently be a victim of this rort, right?
Does CAVEAT common, allowed or legal in the Phils.?
Johnny lin says
@mel
Hard earned money, buying properties, every precautionary measures must be observed, despite, being swindled is unavoidable. Corrupted money, they dont care besides same people work in govt so they could short cut paper process. Carnapping is big business because of illegal connivance with govt employees. Even computers are manipulated. Pathetic culture of corruption because it was unabated for decades so same class of people have to maintain lifestyle unaffordable thru legal income. Kids and spouses keeping with other Jones spouses and kids is a big factor of such impunity in Philippine society.
Story in today’s news, QC tax assessor office computer system hacked by own IT tech employees posting paid tax without money remittance but fake receipts issued to Sulu Hotel tax payment.
Another story, Philhealth premium paid by American company for its outsourcing deposited in private accounts by Philhealth employees totalling more than 100 million pesos. Both cases could only happened because top officials are in the caper. That is the formidable task of cleaning government if no big names are not sent to jail as examples.
Mel says
@Johnny lin
You wrote, “LRA signatory official Atty Bautista”.
The controversial LRA Corona list was signed by EULALIO C. DIAZ III Administrator.
Who is Atty Bautista?
Johnny lin says
Atty Bautista released all the Deeds according to CJ Corona.
Mel says
is atty bautista the mario bautista of the prosecution lead lawyer?
if yes, is he too the LRA Signatory official?
sorry máte, kulang ang sukli. trivial question lang. never mind.
Johnny lin says
Latest news: esguerra admitted only 5 properties inCorona SALN.
Corona will oppose subpoena to his family. WHY, If they are clean? Heres is why they should testify:
Corona in interview yesterday, said the properties in Pasay City/ Paranaque were listed in his son inlaw and daughter names because they were given by inlaws. Accepted, but do the in laws have means to buy all those properties and give them away? Corona has now dragged his in laws into the mess, thay have to testify and show ITR.
ABS CBN news has unearthed a property in Mckinley worth 16 million pesos transferred to Corona daughter in 2008 and another property in 2005 in Makati. Thats Ok, yet the question is did the children have the mean? So show their ITR and income. if Coronas bought them, where they reported in their SALN before transferring, how were they paid? Was the means of payment commensurate to Corona reported income in 2005 & 2008? he does not have to disprove if all 45 properties are legitimate accusations. Corona has to prove that whatever properties acquired by him, spouse, children and in laws were from legitimate income supported by SALN. That is what the accusation is all about, CAN THEY AFFORD LEGALLY BUYING THE PROPERTIES.
Johnny lin says
Unrelated news but inspirational to exposure crusade of Raissa’s blog:
North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza apprehended 13 LTO officers and agents mulcting motorists and placed them in jail immediately. If governors and mayors start performing and inspired by PNoy, Gov Mendoza and Raissa quest, the people could start believing we could become a great nation again.
Also unemplyment went down by .4% ; not much but good news.
Inquirer discovered 19 properties registered to Corona and children worth 200 million pesos bought from 2004-2010, span of 6 years.
Mel says
@Johnny lin
You wrote, “Unrelated news but inspirational to exposure crusade of Raissa’s blog”
Where did you read it from @Johnny lin?
That’s good then, hopefully more to follow, and do it for their Whole community and because it is The Right Thing to do with or without publicity.
You also wrote, “… the people could start believing we could become a great nation again.”.
Was the Philippines’ once a great nation?
I don’t recall. We can be a better nation or generation of Filipinos.
What makes a country a ‘great nation’? Lawyer Esguerra might bring it to some forum and ask it to be defined – formally.
——
As for R Corona’s children benefiting from his ‘exploits’, very unfortunate. Difficult to blast tirades on children of an embattled and accused Corrupt Dispenser.
What makes you wonder is how they look at themselves or one another around the family dinner table knowing that … and attends Novenas of some sort as if ‘All is forgiven, and forgotten’ at the confession box to do bigger exploits next time around.
It is the religious mentality of commit, confess, and commit again. No Restitution or remorse.
Baltazar says
@Mel
“Was the Philippines’ once a great nation?” – I’m currently reading Rizal’s “The Indolence of the Filipino” and for me the answer to your question is YES. But back then, we were not yet a ‘nation’ per se but mere group of islands ruled by Rajahs. Our downfall started when the Spaniards came and that’s the cost of having the name “Philippines”.
Mel says
Philippines? Named after a Prince of Spain who died of ?
You rewrote & answered, “‘Was the Philippines’ once a great nation?’ – I’m currently reading Rizal’s “The Indolence of the Filipino” and for me the answer to your question is YES.” Reading your post, you were leading to that we couldn’t have been since the archipelago has Rajahs on as many as 7100 + islands & islets.
I disagree, unless someone debunks me.
Has the nation of 7100 islands ever benefited from the Spanish colonization? What does Rizal’s “The Indolence of the Filipino” say about that?
SORRY FOR THE TROLL Raïssa.
Baltazar says
@Mel,
I said we were not yet a ‘nation’ per se….Our downfall started when the Spaniards came and that’s the cost of having the name “Philippines”. . If you are interested in reading The Indolence.., just Google for the English version.
Johnny lin says
Children of legal age become fair target when they are complicit participants. They could not claim innocence because of the benefits they are enjoying. Those titles could not be transferred without their signatures and they know fully well the father is a government employee with comparable measly salary despite the lofty title.
Mel says
It just dawned on me, there must be an extended family gathering in the Corona’s household about the impending summons and subpoenas on the ‘kin’ – including in laws.
Should there be a consensus, and if the majority so decides – they might convince Renato to quit or resign to save the disgrace it will fall on the BIGGER FAMILY.
If Renato remains stubborn, he could fight it out – come rain or shine. I guess a collegial census or decision may not eventuate. BUT I HOPE HE’LL REALIZE, TO PUSH THRU OR NOT – A LOT OF DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.
He’ll just have to cop a lot but not the whole mud – cause it will surely stick.
Perhaps, during the impeachment trial – one of his lawyers might do a broken arrow slip to save face.
Johnny lin says
Mel, news from Inquirer. Could you attach link,pls?
vilma bierras says
kung mapatunayang totoo ang lahat ng ito sana ang kayamanan ay nadadala sa kabilang buhay.
Para me extension ang pagpapakasasa kaso di ganon eh di madadala sa hukay pero pagbabayaran sa kabilang buhay.
Fely Sandoval says
what these corrupt idiots think is that they are buying a piece of “heaven” here on Earth…what they failed to realize is that once it blows onto their faces..the “HELL” begins.. sa ugali ba naman nating mga Pilipino pagdating sa chismis…wala ka maitatago.. bilib naman ako sa mga documents mo Raissa dear..ang galing! ~(“,)
raissa says
Salamat sa pagdalaw mo.
Dalaw ako uli, ha.
Maricor7518842 says
Maybe there’s a new definition to the phrase, “being paid on installment.” If you’re a high ranking government official, it means something else. If you’re just a lowly Filipino (like me) it literally means hinuhulugan mo pa!
raissa says
LOL, yes.
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
From MARICOL: “Maybe there’s a new definition to the phrase, “being paid on installment.” If you’re a high ranking government official, it means something else. If you’re just a lowly Filipino (like me) it literally means hinuhulugan mo pa!”
[ACF again showing his rich Tagalog bokab]…. Maricol, hija, the NOW
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
From MARICOL: “Maybe there’s a new definition to the phrase, “being paid on installment.” If you’re a high ranking government official, it means something else. If you’re just a lowly Filipino (like me) it literally means hinuhulugan mo pa!”
[ACF again showing his rich Tagalog bokab]…. Maricol, hija, the current term for INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS is “PAIYAKAN”.
Johnny lin says
@august
Akala ko “Indian” yung nakapayongsa publiko; sa teachers, tama ka
Johnny lin says
Today, friggatriskaidekaphobia, Friday the 13th, more bad karma to Corona camp.
First, Enrile ruled that there is no need for pre trial conference requested by Corona lawyers.
Second, Enrile ruled that charges could be amended in the middle of the trial as long as the House voted on it and bring back to Senate unless the majority of senators oppose the amendment.
Third, Esguerra, one of new lawyers of Corona, is asking for the definition of “betrayal of public trust” claiming it has never been defined and their action is not dilatory. Abogado ito, general counsel daw ng IBP. Sino ang boss ni PNoy, publiko. sino ang boss ni Chief Justice, publiko. Sino ang amo ng katulong, mayari ng bahay .kung baga, katulong si CJ. Kapag inutusan ng amo ang katulong na bumili ng pagkain at tuwing uuwi kulang ang sukli, 19 beses na, sasabihin ng amo, wala nakong tiwala sa iyo dahil sa gawain mo. Si CJ 19 times bumoto kampi kay GMA na hindi makatarungan, sabi ng boss, wala na kaming tiwala sa iyo pa-impeach ka namin. Betrayal of public trust not understood by general counsel of all lawyers and claimed his request was not dilatory tactic. Pro bono kasi, they dont care if their action is ridiculed and moronic. They are forgetting their client is the chief justice of the judiciary. They are inadvertently demonizing Corona to the public.
Mel says
Former Justice Undersecretary Ramon Esguerra motive for defending CJ R Corona.
“This is a challenge of a lifetime as far as I’m concerned. I have two sons and I want to leave them a legacy that they can be proud of–that I stood my ground in defense of the Constitution and of the highest official of the judiciary.”
It doesn’t sound much convincing whether he believes R Corona is innocent or not of the charges laid in the Articles of Impeachment.
He wants to be part of history, for pride and joy, a legacy to his sons.
In defense of justice?
“Let me just assure everyone that we will do everything legal, valid and, of course, Constitutional that will protect the rights of the Chief Justice and in so doing, we are not protecting the Chief Justice per se alone, but we are protecting the Constitution and the institution,” he said.
Two different matters, the person R Corona and the Judiciary Branch.
R Corona as Chief Justice fell short of the higher calling of the office.
Nothings wrong with the Constitution – it is the performance of the person holding the office of Chief Justice.
raissa says
FYI, I tried to interview two of the lawyers whose names were earlier announced as part of CJ Corona’s defense team.
I kept calling both.
Both were always “in conference” or “had stepped out of the office.”
I even left my name and phone number.
For reporters, that’s a big hint saying – we don’t want to talk to you.
I’m still waiting for a spokesman to be named so I can talk to him.
Mel says
Hi Raïssa,
Not very encouraging isn’t it?
it is now that R Corona needs to desperately communicate directly with the media outlets since it may be his last hurrah before the trial starts. And it takes time for the news stream to gather pace and change people’s opinion of him and controversy surrounding the upcoming impeachment trial.
According to former Justice Undersecretary Ramon Esguerra , “It will still be Justice Serafin Cuevas who will be our lead, primary spokesperson for the defense team. Atty. Tranquil Salvador and myself, and even my former student Karen Jimeno will only be there momentarily… Karen will remain a spokesperson because she is not part of the defense team at the moment.”
Let’s try doing a blog paging.
Rening, could you KINDLY please advise your assigned media spokesperson to accommodate Ms Raïssa Robles’ request to interview any of them ASAP.
It is high time that your side of this House & Judiciary crisis be given ample and quality time to broadcast your side of the story saga before the impeachment trial starts. We are aware of the sensitivities of questions and answers from an interview, and that could derail or peril your chances for dismissal or acquittal in the impeachment trial.
However, if you wish to win POLITICAL public support during this crisis period, this is the time to accommodate Ms Raïssa Robles to interview your side thru your designate media spokesperson(s). She is a well respected and a professional journalist that could best report your first hand circumstances directly to your countrymen, Filipinos both nationally and overseas.
Thank you.
——————-
Raïssa, I hope that helps.
raissa says
Thanks.
Let’s see :)
Ricky De La TorreORO says
Raissa, I believe those lawyers are NOT just trying to avoid you. They are BOUND by oath as LAWYERS TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY AND THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE INFORMATION INVOLVING THEIR CLIENT. Have you seen or watch the movie called “The Firm” ? Remember when Tom Cruise finished law school and passed the bar exams? At the end of their convocation, all the lawyers stood up and raised their right hand and under OATH, they pledged and promised to protect and uphold the law profession by keeping the secrets of their client. See an example oath below from the State of Louisiana :
I solemnly swear (or affirm) I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Louisiana;
I will maintain the respect due to courts of justice and judicial officers;
I will not counsel or maintain any suit or proceeding which shall appear to me to be unjust, nor any defense except such as I believe to be honestly debatable under the law of the land;
I will employ for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to me such means only as are consistent with truth and honor, and will never seek to mislead the judge or jury by an artifice or false statement of fact or law;
I will maintain the confidence and preserve inviolate the secrets of my client, and will accept no compensation in connection with a client’s business except from the client or with the client’s knowledge and approval;
I will abstain from all offensive personality, and advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or reputation of a party or witness, unless required by the justice of the cause with which I am charged;
I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed, or delay any person’s cause for lucre or malice.
So help me God.
This is why I say Tupas was NOT a lawyer. He does NOT even know the rules or etiquette of court proceedings. When a lawyer makes this oath, he duly obligated to follow it or he will be dis-barred and will never be allowed to practice law again in the country. Remember in the movie “The Firm” when Tom Cruise was being pressured by the FBI to testify against the MOB (mafia) and he just could not agree with them because he knows that once he discloses information about his client, he ends his career as a lawyer (attorney-client priviledge). This does not apply to situations where a lawyer knows that a crime is taking place. However, in Corona’s situation, it is possible there was NO CRIME that even took place hence, the lawyers cannot reveal this information neither.
That is why I know if you have a lawyer that likes to talk a lot and likes to reveal information that he is NOT suppose to, especially information concerning you and your life? Fire him right away because that is not a lawyer. That is Apeng Daldal and you are just going to lose a court case.
raissa says
They were named as spokesmen, you know, for CJ Corona.
Ricky De La TorreORO says
If they are part of the defense team, the most you can get are just general statements but no real in-depth information that is crucial to their defense. Needless to say, you will get nothing.
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Fr: Idol RICKY DE LA TORRE: “If they are part of the defense team, the most you can get are just general statements but no real in-depth information that is crucial to their defense. Needless to say, you will get nothing.”
Tama ka dito, Idol. All Raissa will get are crumbs. Waste of time, effort.
Johnny lin says
@Ricky
Bakit naman puro antique yung mga reference points mo? 1920 na lupa, Apeng Daldal (pagpalain nawa), the Firm.
Sabi nga ni @Augusto bago na:.The Fort na ang Lupa, Ogie Diaz o Vice Ganda yung comedian at Lincoln Lawyer na yung movie
Baka di mo alam lawyer ang father ni Raissa
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Fr MY OTHER IDOL ABOVE: “@Ricky Bakit naman puro antique yung mga reference points mo? 1920 na lupa, Apeng Daldal (pagpalain nawa), the Firm. Sabi nga ni @Augusto bago na:.The Fort na ang Lupa, Ogie Diaz o Vice Ganda yung comedian at Lincoln Lawyer na yung movie Baka di mo alam lawyer ang father ni Raissa.”
Uunga. Baka mamya nandyan na sina barrister Clarence Darrow, comic Robert Benchley at Louisiana Purchasers pa! HAHAHA!
Ricky De La TorreORO says
Ibig mong sabihin si Tupas comedian pala. hehehehe
Johnny lin says
Di ba Clarence Thomas, Peter Benchley at Gadsden Purchase he he he!
@mel, baltazar, saxnviolins
Want something intriguing to read: Philippine Daily Inquirer Opinion section, exchanges between De Quiroz and Joker Arroyo.
Mel says
I think I read it days ago.
something about a letter from the joker, … was it a Joke? He’s still a Joke.
I’ll read again sometime later.
Thanks mate!
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Sabi ni Igan JOHNNY lin: “Di ba Clarence Thomas, Peter Benchley at Gadsden Purchase he he he! @mel, baltazar, saxnviolins Want something intriguing to read: Philippine Daily Inquirer Opinion section, exchanges between De Quiroz and Joker Arroyo.” NAH! I meant Clarence DARROW, the famed lawyer; ROBERT Benchley, the portly columnist/comedian of yore; and LOUISIANA Purchasers…. Johnny, ilalaban ko ng patayan yan, HAHAHAHA! Google o Wiki mo, if you want. And if you insist on YOURS, magkikita tayo sa PLAZA MIRANDA. Tomorrow. High Noon. Armalite o Granada? Your call. ;)
Johnny lin says
@august
Nahawa ka na kay ricky, antique na plaza miranda Edsa na.
Pinamimigay na ni Corona yung 45 properties niya, san kaya pwedeng pumila?
hindi raw siya magnanakaw pareho ng iba. Si GMA at FG, Abalos, Mendoza siguro tukoy niya. Sino pa ba, dahil sila lang naman nakasuhan ng graft lately. Sa bibig na rin niya nanggaling ang pagnakaw ni GMA
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Fr JOHNNY lin somewhere around here: “august Nahawa ka na kay ricky, antique na plaza miranda Edsa na. Pinamimigay na ni Corona yung 45 properties niya, san kaya pwedeng pumila? hindi raw siya magnanakaw pareho ng iba. Si GMA at FG, Abalos, Mendoza siguro tukoy niya. Sino pa ba, dahil sila lang naman nakasuhan ng graft lately. Sa bibig na rin niya nanggaling ang pagnakaw ni GMA.”
Igan, Plaza Miranda is REALLY antique. Bcoz it’s already classic. All classics tho antiques never grow old. Till now, if you cannot depend it in Plaza Miranda, dapat mag-Mercedes Gutierrez ka na lang. U know, RESIGN! Hehehe. [Paging a Thief Justice out there!]
BTW , nde magnanakaw ung mga binanggit mo sa itaas. Ang lahat ng yaman nila ay galing sa kanilang sariling pawis. Mantak mo ipinawis ng mga kumag na yan nung niluluto nila ung mga nefarious deals na un! HAHAHA!
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
CORRECTOL, from my post below: “if you cannot depend it in Plaza Miranda….” s/b “if you cannot DEFEND it in Plaza Miranda….” Sorry. Fast fingers! [Baka makalusot!]
Johnny lin says
Kapampangan ka pareho ni GMA “depend”
Baltazar says
@Johnny Lin
Thanks mate. I’ve just gone through their word wars and I had to duck down otherwise I will get hit by the mud-slingings :-). What used to be the “little president” during Cory’s time has now the Silence of the Lambs – baka kasi mabuko kapag nag ingay pa. I was amused when SenJo used the term “mullosks” when in fact not all mullosks stick and much to that, some produce pearls when get irritated. Too bad for him, Conrad produced a black pearl so solid and big enough to sling him like Goliath. SenJo, hindi mullosks, dapat barnacles para specific. Barnacles silently crawls and settles in our plant’s cooling system (using sea water). Hindi mo namamalayan, malaki na pala sila at fouled na ang system mo. Senjo , parang ikaw yun. Hindi alam ng mga taong laging kalam ang “kasmura” (sikmura) kung ano ka na ngayon at kung sino ang kinakapitan mo ngayon.Conrad is right, you are a Joke.
Johnny lin says
@ baltazar
Funny, Joker has a point on The Rub during Marcos time. He should have explained his role because now is the right time, his alibi is flimsy, adding more to his military dossier. At his age, so what!
Johnny lin says
@baltazar
Currently the phenomenon in sports in US is Football quarterback Tebow, who grew up doing charitable works with his parents in the Philippines. He plans to put put up a hospital in Davao with his foundation. He speaks fluent Tagalog, btw. Amazing was his recent game stats: his favorite quote in Bible is John 3:16. His stats on his recent win have exact 316 numbers in yardage, passing percentage and time duration of the game. Coincidence or Divine intervention?
Going back to Joker and the Rub, same question coincidence or intervention?
Joker has been Sen Arroyo nickname since public exposure. Now the word JOKER is aptly applied to his principles.
Heres The Rub is title of the column of Conrad De Quiroz. According to Joker and other knowledgeables, he was the main speechwriter of Marcos before martial law.
His condo was one of Marcos finest housing development in terms of location, right behind Trinoma/ SM EDSA area. There were of course vicious rumors he got RUB with Marcos wealth in a small way considering to belong among militant activists sworn to spartan life.
Johnny lin says
Sorry, i mean DURING martial law
Baltazar says
@Johnny Lin,
You must know more mate..Contemporary ko si Kris Aquino so I’m probably almost a generation behind you LOLs.. Seriously, I don’t know much about the martial law “dark days”. My father was just a kaminero at the Ministry of Public Works & Highways and talking about the political situation of the country was a taboo in the family. The most important was the kanin and ulam in the dining table. The star fruit became so famous during Coy’s time because of a host of political turncoats that surfaced. You mentioned coincidences, Well, de Quiroz with Marcos and now “sticking” to PNoy led me think why Teddy Boy Locsin Jr is so critical of PNoy nowadys – when everybody knows ( as mentioned also by Raissa) that he was Cory’s speech writer. De Quiroz might have found a place in PNoy’s heart to be his speech writer(?) and in return, the son has to junk his mother’s .. just an imagination though :-)
Ricky De La TorreORO says
E kaya nga sinabi ko na paalala lang. Lawyers are bound by oath with the “attorney-client priviledge”. You cannot extract information from that priviledge kasi strictly confidential information yan between client and attorney. 1920’s na lupa is the same lupa as today. Except that valuation changed. As for the comedian, I cannot refer to any comedian that is popular today that I know who is known to be carrying a monicker of a “gossiper” or “daldalero”. A lawyer is definitely NOT a “daldalero” hehehehe
Mel says
@Ricky De La TorreORO
You commented and included a ‘… example oath … from the State of Louisiana’.
Nice one.
If all public officials, elected and appointed, do take their oaths of office literally, conscientiously and faithfully, regardless of what country and type of democratic gov’t they reside in & serve at, would you think the Philippines would find itself embroiled in a political crisis like it is experiencing today?
If stewards of a public office do live, eat, sleep and work faithfully to their entrusted duties of their office in the service for their constituents, would any one question the term of their tenure of office or appointment?
Definitely, people who are satisfied with their public servants would aspire their good stewards to stay longer, even for life.
Parang katulong sa bahay, kung ang taong bahay na pinagkatiwala mo sa mga buhay ng mga anak mo, sa mga nakakatandang mga magulang mo, pulido sa pamamaraan ng pag ayos at pag silbi sa lahat ng mga nakatira, nagdadala ng grasya sa buhay at kalusugan ng bawa’t isa. AYAW mo ng paalisin, bibigyan mo pa lagi ng umento, ibibilang mo na parte pa ng pamilya mo, habang buhay mo pa siyang gustong makasama.
And maybe, if that can happen or made possible, we may no longer need a single written Constitution. Like the United Kingdom of Great Britain – no single written constitution. They have a perfect and robust parliamentary form of gov’t. To which Canada is a commonwealth country of the United Kingdom.
Suwerte mo expatriate.
Ricky De La TorreORO says
@mel
I am in fact going back to the philippines to live there due to family reasons. My mother is getting old and is ill. Her mental faculties are deteriorating. It would be best for her to live her remaining golden years in the Philippines where she is close to family and other relatives. We are still entitled to collect our Canadian Pension anyways in the Philippines so she will be alright with me and my sisters looking out for her best interest.
Getting back to the subject, it is exactly why I think there is just a cover up of everyone else and why Corona is being targeted as someone else said, they are making an example of Corona now. It isn’t really why he violated any laws because as well all know there are others too that have done this that are presently in office. Here is an example of a cover up. It was some editorial I found recently :
Here is another case where the administration of justice may be derailed.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken over the investigation and resolution of a syndicated estafa case still being investigated by the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office. The complainants, two Mandaluyong City-based companies, are questioning the motive of the DOJ.
Earlier, a complaint was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against two executives of Omico Corporation, Tommy Kin Hing Tia and Juana Lourdes Buyson, for obstruction of justice. The NBI filed the complaint against Tia and Buyson for their alleged failure to obey the legal process in connection with the syndicated estafa complaint filed last year by Guevent Investments Development Corp. (GIDC) and Honeycomb Builders Inc. (HBI) against Tia, Buyson and other Omico executives.
A little background: On Sept. 26, 1995, a joint-venture agreement was entered into by GIDC and HBI, on the one hand, and Omico on the other, to develop parcels of real estate owned by GIDC and HBI along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati. Omico was to construct the condominiums.
Omico raised, through a public offering, P250 million to be used exclusively to develop the mixed-use condos. However, the amount was instead diverted to other projects and can no longer be accounted for. The amount went to Omico Kapital Inc., a subsidiary firm, only to be loaned back to Omico without interest.
It is not only the two partners asking where the money went but also the thousands of small investors who bought shares in Omico’s public offering. A publicly listed corporation, Omico’s board chair is Antonio Lopa, a relative of President Aquino.
Alberto Gaviola, legal counsel of GIDC and HBI, said in a letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the NBI investigation was going smoothly before the Aquino administration took over. After the Aquino takeover, however, Omico executives began snubbing subpoenas issued by the NBI.
The case was filed on Nov. 22, 2010, by the NBI with the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office but, curiously, was docketed with the Guevaras of Guevent as complainants. Gaviola told the investigating fiscal, Nestle A. Go, that the complainant was the NBI, not the Guevaras.
Gaviola said the DOJ takeover was improper. It is only after the resolution of a case by the prosecutor that the DOJ may take over a case for resolution, he said.
See what I mean? If you do dig hard enough, you can find some dirt on Pnoy’s side too. The sad part is Corona is made the scapegoat out of everything including everyone else’s crime.
raissa says
Here it is again –
You copied the last half portion of Neal Cruz’ column.
You should say so when you do that, you know.
Mel says
There is I think a new term for this.
Blog plagiarist.
Up to you madam to filter out the entry.
Ricky De La TorreORO says
@mel I did mention this that I SAW this piece from Another paper and cut and pasted it. That was I posted. You can read it again.
Mel says
I think what Raïssa was alluding to was acknowledging your source.
Especially that you ‘cut and paste’ that “last half portion of Neal Cruz” column of love. It was that long, considering it is word for word, sentence by sentence.
As a suggestion, embrace your exact quotations with tight quotation marks, that way seasoned readers would know that it was picked up err pulled from somewhere that you NEED to acknowledge.
Although its nice to browse you comment, can you keep it short. Thanks.
Ang haba kasi nila – balikbayan.
At best, you must credit Raïssa too since she has a sharp memory that she was able to unearth your source TWICE – with out you naming the pimp, sorry my mistake – I mean the original writer. She thought she had to raise the red flag on the second dump.
If you could be so nice to Raïssa, she can share some journalistic ‘creative writing’ tips she has honed over the years. Not only can you comment on her excellent pieces, but learn a lot too.
Bob’s your uncle.
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
13th Commandment: THOU SHALL NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S WORDS!
Or at least use quotation marks, ‘2pid!
To paraphrase GMA: “It’s the Economy of Work, STUPIDent!
Ricky De La TorreORO says
Sorry about that Raissa. I did not read Neal’s comment on this page but yes, I did see this editorial from another paper and just “copied and pasted” it. Kasi nga it appears always one sided ang mga comment when I could easily tell, the case is not even. Madami din anomalies si Pnoy. It just happens that he currently the one in power now. I remember when GMA was still president and in the first few years, wala pang lumalaban sa kanya. In the end, all her enemies then started to really push her down. I think we will see the same thing with Pnoy. It is still early in the game and he has been in power for only a year and a half. Wait until the last two years and things will change.
Johnny lin says
Defending as a “devil’s advocate”, Corona chose to defend instead of resigning; why?
1. He knew the prosecutors have the goods on him and family on the vast properties, 45 by prosecutor and 19 properties verified by Philippine Daily Inquirer.
2. Keeping his CJ position, he will have at his disposal the SC logistics including its spokesman, Midas Marquez and support, real or apparent by SC employees
3. Keeping CJ, lawyers and judges would still fear his clout and presence in CJ
4. Savings from paying lawyers instead of pro bono.
5. He could try wining the public support with easy access to media
If he resigns, he could still face corrupt charges with Ombudsman after resignation or convictionanyway; his unexplained wealth would be revealed.His back was on the wall so he did not have recourse except to fight. By trying to win public support with the assistance from court personnel, he could improve his public persona credibility and dispel notions of corrupt ways. The novena was a public relation ploy rather than sincere religious fervor.
In case of impeachment acquittal he could continue his cry of depending the consttitution for at least a year, when another charge could be filed again for another round of impeachment.
Inisip niya masisira narin lang ang karangalan namin pamilya kahit saan ako bumaling, lalabanan ko na. The worst that could happen with this decision on conviction, the people will condemn him and his family much worst than the present time. His answer to that, So What!
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Really…. proven once more… that biblical truth…. “Money, or the love of it, is the root of all evils.”
This is understandable, in a society where MONEY IS GOD! ALL HAIL TO MOOLAH!!
Johnny lin says
@august
The other day, did you see the picture of Mrs Corona crying on the shoulder of CJ after the mass? You know why, nobody did the moolah collection during the mass
As usual, you’re right on their god.
Dakila says
One Senator-Judge who will be sorely missed from the proceedings of the Senate Impeachment is Senator Loren Legarda.
Sen. Loren Legarda on Tuesday said she will be unable to attend the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona this week because she is caring for her 78-year-old nanny in the United States.
“[S]he said she requested for a leave of absence from January 16 to 19, 2012.”
It was for a humane and very touching reason why the Senator needs to look after her dearest nanny, 78-year-old ‘Nanay’ Felicidad Bagayas, in her time of need for True, Love & Care (TLC).
‘[M]y nanay has been a most loyal, hardworking and loving Ilocana, who selflessly took care of me from birth and my sons too. For over 60 years, she has devoted her life for my family and has become a second mother to me,” she wrote the Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
The Senator must have been blessed that she calls her as her second mother (nanay) for taking care of her since birth, including the Senator’s sons before she needed a life saving operation in the US.
I hope the best and get well soon nanay Felicidad.
Johnny lin says
@mel
We are not lawyers but we are flabbergasted on the media releases of Corona lawyers. Its all legalese for public consumption, “we will do everything that is valid, legal and constitutional that will protect the rights of our client and institution” How about the curiosity of law students and young lawyers, how could they learn from their expertise? To silence once and for all unnecessary speculations and to support the written impeachment answer on the condo at the same time embarass the prosecutors, just release the “mortgage loan paper or installment contract” or say something about it. A public relation move that will garner public sympathy because its the truth. Without such action, inevitably the public would speculate two things: no installment loan exists and they are trying to manufacture fake documents.
Its Raissa’s fault for exposing the lie on the condo payment, that is why 2 lawyers withdrew and they are refusing her request for interview
Mel says
Ikaw kasi Raïssa.
But you had to work on scoops that are of national interest and AS THEY COME, right?
Professional, balance reporter, works for an international news bureau (?), marunong, maganda, anu pa?
At least gusto ni Raïssa na ma-interview ang side ni R Corona para kahit papaano – e balance ang reporting niya.
Halos lahat ng commenters at readers ni Raïssa ay for impeachment – anti R Corona.
Iilan lang, gaya ni @Leon – baka bayaran pa siya.
KAYA DAPAT LANG NA BIGYAN NG MALAWAKANG IMPORMASYON ANG libu-libong MAMBABASA NI Raïssa sa pamamagitan ng first-hand interview mula sa mga opisyal na tagapagsalita ni R Corona. Hindi rin tama halos lahat ng articles ay ukol sa kamalian ni R Corona. May good side at may katotohanan din ang tao na isinusukol. Tao pa rin si C Renato at may pinag aralan kahit papaano.
Maganda ang adhikain din ni Raïssa.
SANA PAGBIGYAN SIYA.
romy says
With all this craps, just get the property appraise by license people for its true market value and tax it from there.That’s how we do it here, it don’t matter who owns the property..It don’t matter how much you paid for it. The current market value is where your tax will be base upon, period..All properties are subject to review and tax are adjusted accordingly..Every single person of legal age should file their income tax every year, employed or not..NO EXCEPTION!!!!This is very important to know for the government the true state of the economy and how the government is doing on distributing its wealth to the people…Only in the Philippines I hear all kinds of manipulations and tax evasion cases from the very rich and government officials. This all pure bullshit, corruption to the max..To boot from SC justice like Corona, ?. It don’t say much about the justice system of the country huh?..Every single government officials should be investigated of their assets then..There is something terribly wrong with the BIR . How in the world the country survive with this kind of attack?..WOW..
Ricky De La TorreORO says
I think there is an exception for those who had bought their properties a long time ago. And what I was told it was a grandfathering approach to property taxes. In the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, an area here in Toronto (Canada) was nothing more than farmland and riding stables for the wealthy. It had huge hectares of land tracks owned by the wealthiest in the country. Then they decided to subdivide it and sell off huge tracks of land for housing developements.
The Bridle Path was little more than farmland until 1929, when the Bayview Bridge was constructed across the steep (West Branch) Don River Valley. It was at that point that the area was first considered for residential development. Forsey Page, a Toronto-based land developer, envisioned the Bridle Path as an “exclusive enclave of estate homes” and he built the neighbourhood’s first home, a Cape Cod Colonial style home at 2 The Bridle Path. This house is credited as the catalyst for the development of the neighbourhood.
The Bridle Path upscale residential neighbourhood in the former city of North York, now part of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that is characterized by large multi-million dollar mansions and two to four acre (8,000 to 16,000 m²) lot sizes. It is often referred to as “Millionaires’ Row”. It is the most affluent neighbourhood in Canada by household income, as well as property values.
In 1937, developer E.P. Taylor, who designed the Don Mills community, purchased a large plot of land north of the Bridle Path. In the late forties, Taylor’s business partner George Montegu Black, Jr (father of Conrad Black) moved into the area and built a large mansion on Park Lane Circle. In an effort to control who his future neighbours would be, Black took over the company that owned the rolling farmland that was to become the Bridle Path, and set restrictions in place through the North York zoning by-laws — Only single-family dwellings could be built, with a minimum lot size of 2 acres (0.81 ha). The area was subdivided into approximately 50 lots, each selling for $25,000 at the time, and began to take shape throughout the fifties.
The street’s name is frequently misspelled as “The Bridal Path” by those who are unfamiliar with the history of the area. The actual “Bridle Path” name came about as early plans for the neighbourhood included an elaborate system of equestrian bridle paths, as most of the estate owners in the area preceding its development were horse-owners. While the paths have since been paved over, their legacy remains in the Bridle Path’s wide streets and in the name of this elite community.
The Bridle Path has been home to prominent Toronto business people, celebrities and doctors. Media mogul Moses Znaimer used to call The Bridle Path home, while computer businessman Robert Herjavec, former newspaper baron and convicted businessman Conrad Black, and Celine Dion still own a home in The Bridle Path area. Prince was said to have purchased a home in the Bridle Path for $5.5 million, although his recent divorce, concert tour rigours, and weight loss have meant few sightings of him. “Casino King of Macau” Stanley Ho owns a home on High Point road, which was purchased in 1987 for a record $5.5 million dollars and now is currently worth $27 million CAD in 2012. That is how the price of real estate goes up because of the way the location and the area is developed. I bought a condo near this area in 2000 and now just recently sold it because I am going back to the Philippines. Yes, I made some money from the sale but I could have sold my condo unit for more money.
Ricky De La TorreORO says
By the way, I forgot to say that those who have acquired their houses back in the late 40’s or early 50’s may have paid only a small price for their homes which are worth a million dollars now. They bought it for $150,000 back then but are worth much more now because the land value also rose. However, during that time, the owners were still young and were employed. They were still making money but now these people are older and retired. They certainly can’t afford to pay the taxes on their homes which they already paid for and acquired several decades earlier. So in order for these people to afford their property taxes, they are given a grandfathered rate that as long as the property is still in the name of the original owner, the property tax will not go up to today’s rate and will be pegged at the owners affordability and retirement income. Once the property is sold, (principal home owners here in Canada do not get Taxes on Capital gains on their property as long as they were living in it) then the new property tax rate applies to the new owners. That is what they call granfathering. After all, these older home owners were the original owners and have maintained their property as well as contributed and paid their taxes through all those years so they are given a tax break. It is the new owners where the new tax rates apply.
cres says
Ricky, what has this Toronto’s grandfathering tax cases related to Thief Justice Corona’s 2009 condo acquisition?
Corona’s a brand new Megaworld development and not related to decades long property ownership.
Thanks for your historical input, though.
Ricky De La TorreORO says
Not related but in the Philippines, something like this I believe exists. My father acquired his home and properties prior to 1970. Latest one we had was land bought in 1970 but the house was purchased in 1965. The value of the land and property has increased since then and depending on the areas development and growth, the property values have risen dramatically. When my father retired I know his retirement salary package if measured against the value of the property when he was still alive 4 years ago won’t be enough to pay for taxes, expenses and his personal well-being. Considering that prices in every sector has risen 10 to 50 times more than when it was before when he was still working, it would be impossible for him to hang on to all his properties unless there was some sort of grandfathering type of tax subsidy for original owners who have acquired their property a long time ago. But for Mr. Corona, the jump from 14.5 million to 42 million in less than 5 years (he bought it in 2008?) then it’s 3 times it’s original purchase value, But if we did factor in the tremendous discount he got, it might have been valued higher at the time of purchase but he just bought it on a sweetheart deal. My issue is that anyone could get a discount regardless of what anyone said. I could get a good discount plus more if I knew the realtor broker who is selling a property and he also gave me his employee discount. It is possible to acquire property at 50% discount during forclosures as well or default from previous buyers. I am not sure what the situation was with Corona but I do know that it is possible. Discounts could be given to anyone depending on the time, place and circumstances.
Ching Tsong Tsai says
If you are the owner , will you sell the property lower than it’s market value? Likewise, the increase in market value of a lot corresponds to a decrease in value of the house which depreciates over time.
Ricky De La TorreORO says
It depends on the situation. I was in a situation where I had to sell my unit for only $360,000 but it is on average valued at $395,0000 dollars. I lost $35,000 because I have family issues that must come first and have to go back to the Philippines. Im hoping though with some other people’s help to recupe my loss from that deal and find me a good investment in the Philippines para makabawi ako. I know in a few years, that unit I sold will be in the half a million dollar range already if not more. Di bale, babawi na lang ako sa Pinas, Madami naman akong kakampi sa pinas eh. hehehehe
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
From my idol RICKY: “It depends on the situation. I was in a situation where I had to sell my unit for only $360,000 but it is on average valued at $395,0000 dollars. I lost $35,000 because I have family issues that must come first and have to go back to the Philippines. Im hoping though with some other people’s help to recupe my loss from that deal and find me a good investment in the Philippines para makabawi ako. I know in a few years, that unit I sold will be in the half a million dollar range already if not more. Di bale, babawi na lang ako sa Pinas, Madami naman akong kakampi sa pinas eh. hehehehe.”
Well, DALIAN MO, IDOL! PARA UMABOT KA DUN SA IPAMIMIGAY NI CORONA! HAHAHAHA! AYUN NA SINA MEL AT JOHNNY, NAKAPILA NA! HEHEHEHE!!
Zeiglist says
OCCUPY CORONA’S ILL GOTTEN WEALTH
Ricky De La TorreORO says
uu nga eh August. hehehehe nagmamadali na nga at baka pakyawin na ng iba lahat ng mga on “SALE” na meron malaking discounts. hehehehe Parang Boxing Day sale dito sa Toronto. Here in Toronto on Dec. 26 which is the day after Christmas, all the stores have a “Boxing Day’ sale with huge discounts on practically everything. 50% to even 80% off ticketed price. But it’s a first come, first serve deal. If you come late, mauubusan ka ng stock. hehehehe That is why some people come as early as midnight and just wait until the stores open at 05:00 AM (they open that early just on Boxing Day because of the expected rush of people shopping).
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Ricky, meron ding BOXING DAY sale sa Tate. Sa Nuyok nga kahit na mga Wall Street honchos/Ponzi schemers e nakikipagtulakan sa bargains, hahaha! Hanap ko nga sina Milken at Maldorf and some such greedy critters eh. Gusto kong DUKUTAN lang naman! SHARE THE WEALTH, PLEASE!
Ching Tsong Tsai says
Will you sell it at $197,500.00? Half of the market value.
Ricky De La TorreORO says
I don’t dictate the market value price and I have a real estate agent who does the listing for me. For a small fry like myself, obviously I would not sell it for half the market value. The market value at the time was $395,000.00 at the low end. The high end, it is valued at $445,000.00 and I sold it for $360,000 because as per statistics and advise of my real estate broker, it was winter and after the holidays when the market is very slow. Had I sold this in the summer, I would be able to sell it around $400,000 maybe more. A $197,500.00 will get you a one – bedroom in a different part of Toronto and not as posh as my neighborhood. I live by Bayview Village and Sheppard Ave. very close to the Bridle Path area. Most of the houses here are in the $700,000 to $1.2 million dollar range and that’s just a regular middle class house. A $500,000 dollar house here is a 2 bedroom, one bath house with a sq footage of 1,200 sq FEET not SQ METRES. very small and it’s also a fixer upper meaning the house is NOT new and might need renovations.
There are new townhouses that I have been seeing near my street that are being constructed and the starting price for the townhouses are in the $600,000.00 dollar range and up. They are much larger with an average size of 1,800 SQ FT. Further down near Bridle Path, the Townhouses being constructed there are pure luxury and the prices are between $1.5 million to start (located by Bayview Ave and York Mills Road) and the ones beside the Bridle Path which are $2 million to start and up. And those are just TOWNHOUSES not the mansions at the Bridle Path.
Ching Tsong Tsai says
Do you think Megaworld have financial problem ? Kaya binenta ang unit ng half the market value.
Ricky De La TorreORO says
Megaworld has a lot of projects going on. They may have some issues for sure. One thing is that there are too many projects of luxury condos and houses in the Philippines but the average income of people there is so small it is impossible for an average person of average means to purchase them. 2nd, although there are foreigners that may buy a few of these so called homes being sold, the ratio between supply and the demand is so big. The demand is not as big as the supply. Look at all the projects they have there – Portofino, Ayala Greenfield Estates, South Forbes City in Laguna, Trump, Century City Gramercy , Azure, Aqua, Milano Residences, Mahogany Place, Courtyards of Portofino, Raffles Residences, the new condos in Newport City, Ayala Westgrove Heights, Nuvali, Santierra, South Lake Village at Eton City, 68 Roces, SM Residences, etc etc and that’s just in the Metro Manila and Laguna Area. There are some in Baguio, Batangas, Bataan, Cebu, Davao, etc etc. Yes, there is a huge population in the Philippines around 95 million people. But how many people in the Philippines make the equivalent of at least $50,000 dollars ? How many of them make over $100,000 dollars? Yes, there are Balikbayans and OFWs but is their income enough to sustain this real estate growth? A lot of these projects are overpriced when compared to the condos we have here in Toronto alone. Considering the fact that now they are warning in Toronto and Vancouver that there might be an oversupply of condominiums and townhouses in both cities and that supply might outstrip demand. In the law of economics, if there is enough supply, and less demand (because of affordability), then prices tend to go down. This is what I see in the Philippines now. The demand is NOT there. The demand to WISH I could afford a place like that is there among those working people but their salaries cannot afford a home like that. The majority of people in the Philippines can barely feed their families and buy basic neccessities of life. I see a lot of them carrying expensive cell phones, maybe laptops, buying nice big LCD screen TVs and blue-ray DVD players but that is about all they can afford. You don’t see the majority of filipinos buying homes in posh areas. It’s the 5% rich of the Philippines that can do that. The rest will have to just settle for sub-standard housing which the government claims is adequate but in fact in Canada, it would be called a ghetto or slums. This is why I think in some cases, these developers are in serious trouble if they don’t smarten up and try to price their units to match the average workers salary per year. It’s a matter of common sense for these people. Do I live in a nice place and NOT eat and buy clothes I need and a phone so my employer can contact me, OR do I live in a ghetto type dwelling but I can eat at least 3 times a day, have decent clothes to wear to work and have a phone so that my employer can contact me if I need to do overtime. Someone better open their eyes because what is happening is, FOREIGNERS and NOT Filipinos are owning properties in the Philippines. It’s like a LEGAL way to COLONIZE the Philippines and it’s people. FOREIGNERS retire there, buy the posh properties and the subservient pinoys work for them at slave wages. Do you think the Philippines is truly free and independent NOW? The Majority of Pinoys work for peanuts. We are still a COLONY of Europeans and America as well as the Japanese and Chinese. Open your eyes. And you thought we got liberated from being a Spanish Colony by the Americans? LOL We are still a COLONY except it is done in a LEGAL way. Until a good majority of the filipinos can afford to buy these so called properties themselves (I mean filipinos who live there and NOT ex-pat pinoys who live in the US or Europe or Australia or Canada) then I still consider the Philippines a COLONY of FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
Ching Tsong Tsai says
Wala akong comment sa mga sagot mo. Pero di mo ma-Getz yong ibig kong ipahiwatid sa mga tanong ko. :)
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Fr a poster to my idol RICKY DE LA TORRE: “Ricky, what has this Toronto’s grandfathering tax cases related to Thief Justice Corona’s 2009 condo acquisition? Corona’s a brand new Megaworld development and not related to decades long property ownership. Thanks for your historical input, though.”
Siyanga naman, Idol. Enough of THAT! Hew close to homeground. MAKATI. TAGUIG. SAPANG PALAY. You Canadian examples/thingies are as far from Metro Manila as Pluto is to Venus! HAHAHAHA! Enough with those suppositions, conjectures, non-applicable, far-from-MetroManila realities. Nakakaumay na!
Mon says
———— distracting
Edgar says
Soooo glad I discovered you raissa.. I can’t call them blogs.. I say TRUITH!! Thanks again.. Im now a follower LOL… :)
raissa says
Thanks, Edgar.
Keep coming back and pls tell your friends and relatives about this blog . I’d really appreciate it.
jorgebernas says
@ Raissa
Bakit nawala na sa abs-cbn news headline ang news mo na “14 million corona penthouse is a STEAL” nagtataka lang ako? sino kaya kumuha? sayang madali kasing mabasa doon at sarap ulit ulitin basahin mga kasinungalingan ni corona? LOL …saka mga readers mo ay bilib na bilib sa makatutuhanang pagkakasulat mo… GOD SPEED…
Gelo says
I agree with most of the comments here. thanks raissa for bringing this up and sharing these. i currently am among the realtors who are selling units at Bellagio. we actually are in the process of selling a penthouse unit now at the same condo and the price of the unit is already at 42M, its more than what they are declaring that the market price is only 30M…their pre-selling price is even ridiculously placed at 14M almost the same price as that of a typical three bedroom unit.
i tried playing the devil’s advocate and really can’t seem to think how they were able to get the unit at that price…the only way that i could think of is if you are paying in cash (you get a discount, but not as much as to the point of lowering the price to 14M…and i guess this would also go in conflict with their claim that they are still paying for the unit. and to add, they cannot move in to the unit or do any improvements unless the unit has already been fully paid by Corona. but i guess the adverse is true as they have started with the interior designing of their unit and they have frequented the place as well.
there’s really so much to consider and you really would find that there are irregularities and inconsistencies…
raissa says
Thank you for sharing.
keanleogo says
The current selling price of the same kind of unit that Corona purchased is 42 M .
He got it for 14.5 M.
Unthinkable. and Unexplainable
Ricky De La TorreORO says
What amazes me is the rise in the price of the condo in just a very short span of time. It does not even happen like that in Toronto where you buy a condo in 2008 and then it is now more than double the price or market value? that’s even more impossible to think of. I live in a very affluent neighborhood near the Bridle Path where mansions here are easily in the $5 million dollar range and up. A small condo here during pre-construction price where I bought was about $140,000 for a one bedroom unit before construction in 2000. I bought a two bedroom plus den and paid $260,000 including the upgrades. I could only get $360,000 for it today and I just recently sold it last month. That’s not even double the price I paid for before. But I see condos in Makati areas going up rapidly in value? And the average income of people there is nothing compared to mine? What is wrong is the pricing in the Philippines. Not CJ Corona. Because that 14.5 million peso condo should only be around 25 million at this time considering it is not even 5 years after he bought it.
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Fr my idol RICKY DE LA TORRE somewhere in here: “What amazes me is the rise in the price of the condo in just a very short span of time. It does not even happen like that in Toronto where you buy a condo in 2008 and then it is now more than double the price or market value? that’s even more impossible to think of. I live in a very affluent neighborhood near the Bridle Path where mansions here are easily in the $5 million dollar range and up. A small condo here during pre-construction price where I bought was about $140,000 for a one bedroom unit before construction in 2000. I bought a two bedroom plus den and paid $260,000 including the upgrades. I could only get $360,000 for it today and I just recently sold it last month. That’s not even double the price I paid for before. But I see condos in Makati areas going up rapidly in value? And the average income of people there is nothing compared to mine? What is wrong is the pricing in the Philippines. Not CJ Corona. Because that 14.5 million peso condo should only be around 25 million at this time considering it is not even 5 years after he bought it.”
MAKATI or TAGUIG is not spelled T.-O-R-O-N-TO. Simple as THAT, Idol! Happy?
Ricky De La TorreORO says
Price gauging mean anything to you?
Ricky De La TorreORO says
I mean price goughing pala. Price gouging is a pejorative term referring to a situation in which a seller prices goods or commodities much higher than is considered reasonable or fair. The term is not in widespread use in mainstream economic theory, but is sometimes used to refer to practices of a coercive monopoly which raises prices above the market rate that would otherwise prevail in a competitive environment. Price goughing and price fixing are similar. Price fixing is an agreement between participants on the same side in a market to buy or sell a product, service, or commodity only at a fixed price, or maintain the market conditions such that the price is maintained at a given level by controlling supply and demand. The group of market makers involved in price fixing is sometimes referred to as a cartel. Di ba criminal offense yan? Is it legal to do that in the Philippines?
AUGUST C FERNANDO says
Fr my idol, RICKY: “The group of market makers involved in price fixing is sometimes referred to as a cartel. Di ba criminal offense yan? Is it legal to do that in the Philippines?”
Idol, lahat ng gusto mong gawin LEGAL ngaun sa Pinas. BASTA WAG KA LANG PAHUHULI! HAHAHA!
O kung it’s your rotten luck na mahuli ka ….”ang LAGAY eh makukuha yan sa maBOTENG usapan!”
Ricky De La TorreORO says
Masama yan. Pag nasabit ka. The bribe and the blackmail. hahahaha both parties are guilty dyan. UNLESS like you said, meron CUT din ang naka-alam. Pero ang masama pa dyan, lima sila na naka alam eh. NYAHAHAHAHAHAHA Otherwise alam mo na, meron sisipol dyan. hehehehe
Ben Ceniza says
In Cebu the pre selling price of a high end condo is 31M for 131sm. http://www.cebuholdings.com/1016residences. I can’t imagine how the Thief Justice got his for 14M. High end condo prices in Cebu and Taguig should not differ much.
joey lumain says
This has nothing to do with Bellagio but since you are in the real estate business there I hope you dont mind if I made an inquiry about another building there. The building is a condotel called the F1 which is in the same vicinity , I think. I purchased a residential suite for around 4.2M 2 years ago although the construction is still ongoing I’m curious as to how much you think the price of that suite is now. Thank you in advance for indulging me, regards, joey
raissa says
Hmm.
Not wasting the opportunity, eh.
Anybody can answer this.
Dennis says
Nice research!
raissa says
Thanks. I try.