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Realty broker: Corona’s posh condo “a steal” at P14 million

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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.

Deed-of-Sale---agreement-te

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:

Corona---Web-Be;laggio-111-

 

Corona--Web-Bellagio-toilet

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

Corona---Web-Bellagio-pool-

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.

BIR-Certioficate-of-Registr

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).

Corona---Web-BIR-zonal-valu

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.

BIR-Certificate-taxes-paid

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.

Corona---BIR-Certificate-fr

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-Sale-whole

DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE for Bellagio 1, page two

Deed-of-Sale-page-2-IMG_000

CERTIFICATE AUTHORIZING REGISTRATION,  BIR

BIR-whole-Certficate-of-Reg

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE -CJ CORONA’S CONDO at Bellagio Tower 1, 38th floor

Corona-CCT-for-condo

 

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 1

Corona-CCT-for--condo-parki

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 2

Corona-CCT-for-condo--parki

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 3

Corona's-CCT-for--parking-s

 

Comments

  1. Hi Raissa!

    Thanks for this juicy info. Siguro naman kilala mo si Belinda Cunanan. The Lady columnist kick-out by Inquirer. I’m still reading her blog, just to know her inputs about our politics and to make my self hate them more. Eh isa siya sa mga loyal defender ni GMA. as in licking their behinds! Lalo na ngaun about ke Corona. Sana mabasa nya o kya mapadalhan mo kaya ng mga back up evidence mo. Gusto ko lang makita kung talagang idedepensa pa rin nya si Corona once na mabasa naya to. Keep it up! You’re the LADY MAN!

  3. @Ding

    If there are breaches to their Code of Professional Responsibility, are there any sanctions?

    Are there penalties or disbarment when found guilty?

    What if the Chief breached many of them, what then?
    Is the Chief immune?

    And to whom or in what forum (ie court) will they bring their case against an erring member or lawyer?

    What if it was the chief, impeachment by IBP this time?

  4. I was really amazed how you put up the details of each stories
    since I read your article about the Ramgen incident.

    I was just curious about your work. You supported all your articles with
    facts(documents, etc), underlining the details. You really know how to investigates your articles.
    Are there any big news company offering you any position? You can be a great asset to them.
    The way you run you’re stories, it seems like you’re really hands on in all of these. It’s really great.
    You’re doing better than any other journalist out there.

    Keep them coming….:-)

    • Hmmm, such a sweeping staement. There is no proven unexplained wealth of carpio, only allegation. Besides 800 sm condo does not exist anywhere in the Philippines. Ask any realtor.

      • Oh really. Kris Aquino has 1000 sqm condo in Ayala Triangle.
        The 800 sqm could be the floor area of the condo which may
        include a high loft or a combination of 2 or 3 penthouse units
        or even the whole floor.

      • Apparently according to Johhny Lin, Carpio comes from a very wealthy clan from Visayas and they own huge hectares of land in the visayas including those in Boracay. Try investigating that and what the connection of Carpio is to those land barons in the Visayas. Oligarchs will like them and the Aquinos who are also hacienderos will only connive with each other to impose rules for their own advantage and benefit. The person who did not come from a wealthy clan will never be able to even get up to the level of comfort because of these people.

        • You must have been living in Canada for a long time. Land reform applies only to agricultural lands. Since you know so much about the history of property tracts in Toronto its kind of disturbing you did not know the history of how lands in the Philippines were distributed during Spanish times. You probably didn’t know too that many top Filipino millionaires now did not come from old oligarchs category but were from middle income families. That many OFWS earn the same income or more than you but they send their money back to their families here. Try coming back and stay for a long time in the PHILIPPINES to reacquaint yourself, at least you could contribute to our economy with your 360,000 Canadian dollar in case you decide not to invest in our condo industry in which you could earn much more compared to Toronto.
          You have a point on grandfathering real estate taxation, not in Philippine tax laws. The reason many oligarch sold their coveted properties especially those who were not successful businessmen like their parents/grandparents. They could not afford paying their high real estate taxes like those in Forbes Park, Bridle Path in your hood.
          Just remember, “the sin of the father is not the sin of the son”.

        • Yes, the reasoning for the real estate grandfathering tax break is that these people who were the original owners of their homes are all Canadian citizens and have contributed to the economy, paid their taxes throughout the years and have lived there all their lives. Now just because they have retired and have some sort of retirement income that they assumed would support them in their old age suddenly became inadequate due to the fact that the area where they bought their homes have dramatically risen in value hence the rise in property taxes. The councilors and mayors as well as the provincial MPs debated over this, is it right to kick out these people who have already lived there for a long time and have paid their dues to society just because the value of their property had risen ten to 50 times more? They decided that it was fair for the original homeowners to stay in their homes and be given a grandfathered tax subsidy whereas as long as the property does not change hands and remains in the family, the taxes are just moderately increased according to the homeowner’s retirement income. If the property is suddenly sold at today’s prices then the new owners will pay their property taxes based on today’s rate. One detail to know is that here in Canada, Capital gains made in your principal home is tax-free. You will not pay capital gains taxes if you live in your condo or home after you sell it. Even if you say you made $500,000 dollars over the value of the house when you first initially bought it or even a million dollars over the value of the home when you bought it, it is still tax free as long as it is your principal home and you were living in it. Nice isn’t it?

        • ricky, tax system in Canada is not same in Philippines. Thats right, nice if applied here, same way what we have in the philippines is not found in canada like being able to bargain with amount of tax when the time comes. Thats the way it is. Many expatriates like you inherited properties sold them and happy with the bargain they got since they did not pay realty taxes on the property during the times they were living overseas. Can you do that in canada? Its not perfect but sufficient in our tightly knit society.

        • I have not sold any property yet that I have inherited, My sisters dont want to sell the properties so there is nothing I can do although it is sitting there and we pay taxes on it yearly without anyone living in it. By the time we turn 80 years old, we might be too senile and someone will just literally rip us off and take those properties away from us because we could not decide on anything to do with it. I don’t want to wait that long. Properties in the Philippines are not worth as much like in Canada unless it is in a posh area like makati, The Fort or other exclusive neighborhoods. My sister has friends that are wealthy in the Philippines and no one has money to buy even if they are trying to sell their properties. Everyone that approaches them try to rip them off and low ball them from the market value of their properties so this why I believe, a syndicate is behind all this real estate control in the Philippines. Wait until the recession hits the Philippines and all these high price condos lose value including those stately homes in Forbes Park, The Fort, Ayala Alabang and other exclusive neighborhoods, In some parts of the U.S, prices of mansions went down. You can purchase a big mansion in the U.S. for half the price. The problem is no American can afford them so rich Foreigners are the ones buying them. And that is what is going to happen in the Philippines if it is not happening now. Foreigners marrying pinays and buying up all these properties. I heard stories of Japanese, Chinese and Australians buying up large tracts of beach property and setting up resorts and businesses. It might look good on the outside but the ordinary filipino who is 100% pinoy and was born and raised there are the ones that are suffering. The oligarchs don’t care about them. They only care about how they can get richer . The greedy want more and the already wealthy and rich want even more. That’s what is happening. And now they are castigating Corona? What a joke.

        • And they say education is the key to success and enrich you. What is happening is Corona despite the fact he went to Ateneo and Harvard (on a scholarship meaning he is a bright student, not a flunky or average student), people still think that his education is NOT worth much. So for his reward, he is a public servant with very little to show for. Is that what society wants to happen in the Philippines? Go study and educate yourself and still be a poor person with no good paying job. What a crock of malarky.

        • @ricky
          Corona got what he dove into. Like in war, target the general and his command will collapse. Despite intelligence, not all educated are smart. Your hero belongs to this class, the reason he is in this mess. His demeanor filled with impropriety, talked of his integrity which had been lacking since working in government. He was the main architect of illegal deals of GMA as his chief of staff. He gives interviews denying all the 40 properties but all he has to do is show his installment loan documents. You write here about your 360,000 canadian dollar condo which is actuallylly equivalent to a garage in our US dollar neighborhood because you could present evidence if somebody dares you. We care only about how he paid for a penthouse with his monthly salary of 45000 pesos, thats about 1100 canadian dollar to you which is less than what we spend for gasoline monthly in cars in my US hood. Our church parking lot is like a high end cars showroom every Sunday but we dont whisper about it until now. You keep on talking about your real estate, WHO CARES, you could not even afford to go home to the Philippines yearly while you were busy working your ass for decades in Canada. Bet your salary when you started working was not enough to buy a bird’s nest in our hood. People earning much lower than you had better sense bringing back their riches to the Philippines frequently and you come preaching us now about your real estate. Bragadaccio is fine but the kind you are cocky about, its poverty level in our hood. They say “a bird perched on top of a carabao brags its taller than the 2 horn animal” Humility is still taught in the Philippies that is why you need to go back and take refresher course. What nincompoop! Dayum.

        • I am not bragging. Why all the animosity? YOu talk as if you OWN the whole world. Most people are modest. THE US is in financial trouble and your dollars mean NOTHING. The U.S. government keeps printing your currency which has practically lost it’s value by 80%. yes, people accept it but everytime, the price of oil goes up, the value of your dollar goes down. Pretty soon, you will need a barrel to carry your mountain of U.S. bills just to pay for a loaf of bread. Ever heard of HYPER INLFATION? You may feel your home is worth 10 million dollars and you are getting paid 2.5 million a year but with the current value of your dollar, it’s worth 20% of it’s price. Go look at the price of gold now. Gold is hovering around $1700 dollars per One ounce. Just observe this method, everytime, oil goes up,the prices of commodities goes up. Did you notice that the price of everything in stores now are inflated? Price of food went up, price of services went up. Hell, you must be paying your janitors over there the same salary as the President of the Philippines.
          So stop bragging how rich you are because there is SCAM going on in the U.S. now. Your U.S. government is $14 trillion dollars in DEBT. You are at the point of NO RETURN. You won’t be able to pay your debt anymore. CHINA, JAPAN, THE SAUDIS AND KUWAIT practically own you. There is nothing you can do except take in the rear and grin about. So what if you are driving a luxury car and you are paying gas as if my condo is just a drop in your tank. You are just making the SAUDIs richer and they are laughing at AMERICANS for being foolish. That’s what your AMERICA is headed to. Homes in the U.S. are cheap now. MANSIONS FOR SALE AT HALF PRICE. Yes, at one point in time, I even saw an ad in the news about a car dealership offering “TWO for one” sale on Hummers. hahahaha TWO HUMMERS for the price of one. That’s how SORRY your country is. Bankruptcies, mortgage defaults, foreclosure, malls empty, stores boarded up and millions and millions of people out of work. Why do you think the state of California was laying off thousands if not millions of government workers? They can’t pay their wages. Teachers, cops, firemen, emergency ambulance workers, hospitals, practically everyone in essential services being layed off and you are BRAGGING about you church parking LOT? hahahaha WAKE UP JOHNNY, DIDN’T YOU NOTICE? AMERICA IS LITERALLY BANKRUPT.

        • I am NOT preaching about my real estate. I just mentioned the difference and why the hyper inflated rise in price of the Units in such a short span of time. Even in a country where even the highest positions in government jobs cannot even afford to purchase them? Obviously, there is something wrong and something is illegal when even the salary of a judge or a congressman or a vice president or mayor cannot pay for a condo like that. Think of it, the average salary of the workers in the Philippines CANNOT afford to buy a home that is nothing more but AVERAGE here in CANADA? you are a joke about bragging about your AMERICAN B.S. AMERICA is BANKRUPT. That’s why everyone is trying to swindle other people of their hard earned money.

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsinCoRnAic&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNHwncb55iQ&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXIrfjLsmaU&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mejNWqwiClY&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cziN3gt-hic&feature=related

          I think you are the one that needs to go back and learn HUMILITY. All your BRAGGING about your church parking lot looking like a SHOWROOM of luxury cars? hahahaha I know several people here who work as NANNIES and CAREGIVERS for very wealthy people. One lady who is my friend’s aunt works as a NANNY for a rich family. The family gave her a 2010 LEXUS GX 470. IF YOU ARE A RICH PERSON HERE IN CANADA , YOU CAN AFFORD TO GIVE AWAY A 2010 LEXUS GX 470 TO YOUR NANNY. I doubt you are rich enough to even tip 100 dollars to a waiter serving you food that he may have spitted on and mixed his boogers in it. Another lady who is my mother’s friend works as a caregiver for a rich jewish family. They gave her a used 2009 Mercedes Benz C350. How many people do you know that can do that? LOL you’re a braggart and a joke

        • @johnny lin: RE “Bet your salary when you started working was not enough to buy a bird’s nest in our hood. People earning much lower than you had better sense bringing back their riches to the Philippines frequently and you come preaching us now about your real estate. Bragadaccio is fine but the kind you are cocky about, its poverty level in our hood. They say “a bird perched on top of a carabao brags its taller than the 2 horn animal””

          First of all, I was not BRAGGING. I was trying to figure out why the sudden rise in price when the average salary of the middle class worker cannot afford that. You brag about your US real estate (which is really going down. Do you know AMERICA has a lot of bankruptcies and mortgage defaults and foreclosures in the past 4 years?) and your US dollar. The US dollar is toilet paper because it’s value has gone down dramatically. It is worth 20% of what it used to. That’s what your US dollar is. 20 cents. Look at the Euro. The value of the Euro is also going down. Take a look at supposedly rich European countries, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Italy all bankrupt. And you think, poverty level in your hood? LOL, you’re full of sh*t. Rich people don’t even talk on forums like this in Canada. They don’t bother getting involved. You on the other hand is like some kind of Gossiper who thinks is rich but acts like one of those chismosos at a coffee shop along with other unemployed americans collecting unemployment benefits. LOL. Let me ask you, how much is the deficit of America? $14 Trillion dollars? For every dollar you spend, America is borrowing $40,000 dollars. That’s the value of your dollar. CANADA? We happen to have the third largest OIL deposit and reserves in the ENTIRE WORLD. We have oil in Alberta, in Newfoundland, in New Brunswick and we also have one of the largest diamond mines in the Northwest Territories. In reality, the US is sinking and pretty soon, your so called rich neighborhood will just be inhabited by terrorists, gangbangers, drug dealers, Corporate Crooks like Ken Lay, Bernie Maddoff, etc etc as well as mafia bosses. That’s what your world is about. LOL. Rich my a$$, you can’t even wipe my butt with your dollar, it’s too crinkly.

        • @ricky
          USA can go bankrupt become a third world country, who cares I dont. Im a Filipino, resident of the Philippines.
          I fed your own dose of medicine whether true or not, and look what happened, you feel irritated. You see the point. We understand how successful you are now, mentioning your real estate once for comparison is probably enough since the topic reference is barely relevant to the blog. twicel, 3,,4,5. is not only too much. Besides in terms of wealth Philippines could not be compared to Canada or US, thats foregone conclusion. You posted the salary of the SC justices in Canada this time, there is no relevance again except you wanted to point out the their CJ makes more than 300,000 canadian dollars per annum multiply that with peso exchange rate, its awesome. Now, You look at it at 1-1 conversion equivalence; what does than mean. Nothing compared to SC CJ salary in the Philippines he makes at least 480,000 per annum.you see what I mean.

          Everybody has a right to their own opinion but when arguing with others, the reference point is wealth of oneself, then dont be offended if that reference point is attacked. Its not animosity, its wake up “call”, I thought you said you play poker, blufffffff! You folded by getting irritated, you lost. cheer up, its only one game, try again next game.

        • Hay naku! Tayong mga Pinoy. Pag YUMAYABONG na ang kabuhayan, YUMAYABANG din ang kamalayan! HAHAHAHA!!! Buti na lang at ako’y mahirap pa din pagkatapos ng mahigit dalawampung taong kayod sa Wall Street ng Nuyok. Kahit kinakabahan ako ngaun dahil ung maliit kong pension mula ki Uncle Sam e baka wala na komo bankrupt na siya. Mauuubos nga raw ang SS fund ni Uncle Sammie by the year 2050 yata. Good thing siguro hanggang 2049 lang ako aabot! THE REWARD FOR BEING OLD! HAHAHA!

        • @august
          Buti ka pa yung SS mo magagamit mo, kaya lang hindi hanggang 2049 dahil sabi ng mga Mayan 2012 na lang ang mundo. Kaya yung sa akin sinabi ko kay Uncle Sam bigay na lang sa mga taga Toronto bago mabankrupt Amerika

        • I have been in North America since 1975. That’s approx. 37 years living abroad. And yes, if you are wondering, I have been Canadianized which is why my way of thinking is sort of different than some if not most Filipinos.

        • What was my first comment to you. I said come back to the Philippines, reclimatize yourself to the culture. As of now your perspective stands on opposite pole, being Canada your reference point, wrong chart.

          Oh, btw, those who have read my postings thousand times before, I never mentioned anything about my wealth; your posting was the only reason. So what if I paricipated in this kind of forum which you insinuated is not worth for the wealthy. Did you ever think what you posted demeaned all the people here especially Raissa. “Character of old wealth is measured by how they blend with the unfortunate compared to those with sudden fortune” Where do you belong?

          Also I just gave 100,000 US dollar to my son private high school alma mater; does that count with your Lexus and MB C300; combined their amount is less than AMG 55, do you know what it is, I gave also to raffle. Do you think, thats enough?

        • I am coming back there. Giving $100,000 US Dollars to your son’s private high school must be some sort of charitable gift? To a school that caters to only the RICH? And that is helping mankind? you and your kind really irks the real public. Considering your comments are always geared to protect Pnoy Aquino’s administration show Pnoy was never someone who REALLY CARED FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHICH IS 90% OF THE POPULATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. Let me ask you this. What is the ratio of the poor or considered poor in the Philippines compared to it’s population? 90%? I bet that means, you just gave $100,000 US Dollars to those people WHO DON’T REALLY NEED IT. They are wealthy already. YOUR IDEA OF GIVING TO CHARITY IS LIKE TRYING TO BRIBE A SCHOOL OFFICIAL TO GET POGI POINTS AND MAKE YOU LOOK GOOD IN THE EYE OF YOUR POMPOUS ARROGANT SELF-RIGHTEOUS HOLIER-THAN-THOU NEIGHBORHOOD? LOL What a hypocrite. First of all you were trying to point at CORONA and say he is guilty and corrupt then you yourself admit that you are a CORRUPT PERSON. I bet if the public hears what you just did and knowing the majority of filipinos in the Philippines are struggling, they would castrate you and vote to remove Pnoy out of office.

          And you talk like a $100,000 US Dollar gift to your son’s private high school alma mater was helping anyone. It’s like giving money to Bill Gates who does not really need your .50 cents because he is already very rich. By the way, those nannies and caregivers don’t make a lot of money and are paid by the hourly wage. Yes, they make more in Canada than working in the same job in the Philippines. Their hourly wage range from $16 to $18 dollars an hour but due to the high cost of living here in Toronto, that is just normal. That school is a private school and they don’t need $100,000 dollars like these working people do. That school charges a tuition fee something like $30,000 a year per student which is how much some of the private schools charge in my neighborhood although the public school here is very good and more than sufficient for people living here.

          So in essence, you are just trying to rub elbows with those wealthy people because you really don’t care about the filipinos. $100,000 dollars can help a lot of the homeless children in the Philippines. If I had that kind of money, I would give to those victims of the typhoon, the landslides, try to use the money to build public schools for the disadvantaged people. The REAL PEOPLE who do need the help and NOT THIS B.S. OF YOURS THINKING YOU ARE THE RIGHTEOUS AND HIGHER MORAL GROUND BUT YOU ARE JUST AS DIRTY, CORRUPT AND CONNIVING AS THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION. KEEP TRYING BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST REALLY SHOWING YOUR TRUE COLOURS. I HOPE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE HEAR THIS AND KNOW MORE OF THE CHARACTERS BEHIND PNOY AQUINO’S ADMINISTRATION. HE IS BEING BACKED BY HOODLUMS CORRUPT MANIPULATORS OF MEDIA AND CONNIVING THIEVES THEMSELVES.

        • You are a liar and a hypocrite. First of all, that $100,000 dollars given to a private high school? A school that really does NOT NEED help because it is a school that charges a tuition fee from every student that goes there. That $100,000 could help a lot of filipinos in the Philippines like homeless children, the victims of the typhoon, floods and landslides. It could be used for building public schools for the disadvantage people. You are full of sh*t and the biggest braggart here.

          The filipinas working here don’t make a lot of money. Yes, they make more here in Canada than working in the same job in the Philippines. They make somewhere between $16 to $18 dollars per hour from their employers. However, the difference between those rich people and your greedy kind is THEY GIVE TO THOSE WHO TRULY NEED AND DESERVE IT. You on the other hand are just trying to make a fool of yourself trying to show you are generous GIVING money to a PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR RICH KIDS that do not really need the money because they charge a lot to students who go to school there.
          YOU ARE THEREFORE TRYING TO SHOW OFF THAT YOU ARE WEALTHY SO THEY ACCEPT YOU INTO THEIR SOCIAL CLASS FULL OF SNOBBY, SELF-RIGHTEOUS, HYPOCRITES THAT ARE ARROGANT CONNIVING AND FEEL THEY ARE DESERVING OF EVERYTHING THEY HAVE EVEN IF IT WAS STOLEN. A BUNCH OF POMPOUS HOLIER-THAN-THOU PEOPLE WHO DON’T REALLY GIVE A SH*T ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD. IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE MASSES OF PEOPLE, THEIR BUSINESSES WOULD BE BANKRUPT.

          Too bad, the filipino public does not know that PNOY AQUINO’S FAMILY AND CIRCLE OF FRIENDS ARE JUST A BUNCH OF CONNIVING ARROGANT HYPOCRITES LIKE YOU AND IF THEY KNOW, THEY WOULD MARCH DOWN AT EDSA AND REMOVE HIM FROM POWER EVEN AS I TYPE THIS RIGHT NOW. LOL

        • @ricky
          I just gave 100 million pesos to catholic church for their work on the victims, is that enough? Did you google AMG 55, you did not comment? Whie googling find out also the meaning of sarcasm, @August , @nonon and I were having fun of

          Have you heard of wikileaks where all secret confidential of US embassies and consulates were hacked, what the hell you are talking about paperless money. There are still money in the bank. More in circulation than a decade ago. There is constant recycling of old bills the reason Secretary of treasury signatures on the different denominations are updated.

        • Hey @Johnny lin

          you posted the foollowing comments as above;

          Johnny lin says: January 14, 2012 at 11:05 pm
          Also I just gave 100,000 US dollar to my son private high school alma mater

          Johnny lin says:January 17, 2012 at 7:56 pm
          I just gave 100 million pesos to catholic church for their work on the victims, is that enough?

          Are you for real or you’re taking everyone here for a ride?

          tsk tsk tsk…

        • From MEL somewhere here: “Hey @Johnny lin you posted the foollowing comments as above; Johnny lin says: January 14, 2012 at 11:05 pm Also I just gave 100,000 US dollar to my son private high school alma mater Johnny lin says:January 17, 2012 at 7:56 pm I just gave 100 million pesos to catholic church for their work on the victims, is that enough? Are you for real or you’re taking everyone here for a ride? tsk tsk tsk….”

          Mel, have you heard of hyperbole, exaggeration and sarcasm? They are legit literary/journalistic tools, used mainly to attract attention or opinion…. the more outlandish or overblown, the better. Writer Mark Twain, sports columnist Grantland Rice, famed trial lawyer Louis Nizer, the late Philippines FREE PRESS editor Teodoro M. Locsin (dad of Teddy Boy), superwriters Nick Joaquin and Gregorio Brilliantes and my fave woman writer Kerima Polotan were masters of them. I suggest you google or wiki those “tools”. Good luck, tututak! ;)

        • To our friend MEL: Please guess what literary/journalistic tool I used in my following short piece I published somewhere a while ago: “In the picture where ‘Bishop’ Cruz is shown anointing (or putting pomade on CJ Corona’s hair?): Sa lahat ng bishops yan ang lagi kong sinusundan. Para hindi ako napaligaw ng landas. Siya ang aking giya, ika nga. Kc basta kung ano landas na tinatahak ni Cruz, iyong SALIWA ang tatahakin ko. PARA TIYAK NA NASA MATUWID ANG LAKAD KO! ;)”

        • @august
          Binubuko mo naman, sigurado ka ba sa sinasabi mo? tuloy hindi kana sinasagot ni @ricky. Kapag nawalan ng follower si Raissa, kasalanan ni Bishop Cruz. saka kasusumpa mo lang kay Raissa, binabali mo kaagad

        • @AUGUST C FERNANDO, @Johnny lin

          Hey boys!

          LOL!

          As much as I would like to Reply to your recent posties, wala iyong Reply button sa ibaba. (AND THIS IS FOR THE TROLL)

          @AUGUST C FERNANDO, You asked ‘have you heard of hyperbole, exaggeration and sarcasm?’ DEFINITELY, having exchanged with @Johnny lin since Dec last year, never thought he’d stoop to keep up with the Trump (@Ricky) from Canada. Ayaw pala maunahan. Puro seryoso kasi iyong mga past exchanges namin with @Saxnviolins. I should have taken the cue that @Ricky was a bit showing off.

          As for your ‘In the picture where ‘Bishop’ Cruz is shown anointing (or putting pomade on CJ Corona’s hair?):’
          Máte, you’d have to give me a web link if it is in the cloud. Otherwise, I might not be able to find it down under.

          With @ Johnny lin’s Post: January 18, 2012 at 12:04 pm, iyan ang Quickie sa madaling sabi.

          Thanks guys. Let’s keep it within the thread. Otherwise we’re wasting Raïssa’s time of moderating our trolls.

          Once again, sorry Raïssa.

        • Fr pal JOHNNY lin somewhere: “August…As for your ‘In the picture where ‘Bishop’ Cruz is shown anointing (or putting pomade on CJ Corona’s hair?):’ Máte, you’d have to give me a web link if it is in the cloud. Otherwise, I might not be able to find it down under.” NO PROB, Johnny. Below is the URL…. GO, PAL!!! ENJOY!!!

          http://www.interaksyon.com/article/22198/fr–robert-reyes-an-open-letter-to-our-bishops?fb_comment_id=fbc_5007051728029_725228_5007051780029.

        • By the way, NO, IM NOT IN THE WRONG CHART. IM ALSO A FILIPINO. I HAVE DUAL- CITIZENSHIP. I DONT STAND ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE POLE. I AM SPEAKING ON THE SAME REASONS WHAT EVERYONE IS TRYING TO SAY. TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A DECENT LIFE WITHOUT PERSECUTION FROM POMPOUS ARROGANT LOUDMOUTHS LIKE YOU. “CHARACTER OF OLD WEALTH IS MEASURED BY HOW THEY BLEND WITH THE UNFORTUNATE COMPARED TO THOSE WITH SUDDEN FORTUNE”? JOHNNY, BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THIS, YOU CANNOT, I REPEAT IT AGAIN, YOU CANNOT BLEND WITH THE UNFORTUNATE.

          WHY? YOU JUST SAID IT, YOU GAVE $100,000 US DOLLARS TO PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DON’T NEED IT. THAT’S LIKE TELLING MANNY PACQUIAO, HEY MANNY LET’S GO TO JOLIBEE, I’LL BUY YOU A BURGER AND A SOFT DRINK. YOU ARE JUST INSULTING HIM.

          THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRULY RICH HERE IN CANADA AND YOUR KIND IS YOU TRY TO THINK YOU CAN BUY YOUR WAY UP INTO THE SOCIAL CIRCLES OF THE TRULY WEALTHY BUT THE TRULY RICH PEOPLE HERE DONATE AND GIVE TO THE LESS FORTUNATE AND THOSE WHO TRULY DESERVE IT LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THEM AS A SIGN OF GRATITUDE FOR DOING A GOOD JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR ELDERLY. THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.

          YOU AND YOUR KIND ON THE OTHER HAND THINK BY DONATING TO THOSE THAT ALREADY WELL-OFF, THEY WILL LOOK UP TO YOU AND MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A KING BUT IN REALITY YOU WERE JUST TRYING TO BUY YOURSELF INTO THEIR SOCIAL CIRCLE. LOL YOU ARE A JOKE AND A BIG LAUGH. TRUST ME, WHEN I SAY THIS, THE TRULY WEALTHY PEOPLE WITH MONEY HERE WHO COME FROM OLD RICH FAMILIES DONATE TO THE POOR AND UNDERPRIVILEDGED PEOPLE MORE OFTEN THAT THOSE OTHER OLD RICH FAMILIES IN THE PHILIPPINES. THEY KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING OTHERS THAN TRYING TO BUY THEIR WAY INTO A RICH SOCIAL CLASS BECAUSE THEY DONT NEED TO. THEY ARE THAT RICH.

    • Investigate Carpio for being wealthy? If true, his mother belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Visayas, Tirol, of banks and landed fame in Aklan, probably owning most of Boracay beachfront before it became famous. He was a successful lawyer before becoming justice. The reported megasize 800 sqm condo would occupy two floors of the building, almost impossible, unless his family owns the entire building which is chicken feed to family wealth anyway. Corona has to prove his wealth lineage.

      • If that’s your argument, Corona could very well afford to buy a P14.5M condo, even if on installment.
        He was a graduate of Ateneo from elementary, high school and college.He also studied in Harvard.
        As you know, it can cost a fortune to study in this schools.

        • @leon
          Who told you, Midas Marquez. Its illusion and guessing, prove it. Ask Corona. I did too on scholarship and we were poor.My salary in 2009 was 15x that of Corona monthly but I could not afford the monthly installment of a 15 million condo at Serendra. Bank installment loan in the Philippines for real estate is for 5 years term meaning the monthly installment was at least 250,000 pesos a month for 60 months. I know because I tried to buy one with 30% down payment. Corona does not earn that much monthly. In 2002 Corona SALN had an asset of 14million pesos and at that time mine was 3x of Corona and in that same year my income was 20x that of Corona. The only way Corona could have paid his condo cash was he received bribes in cash. That is a guarantee. Dare you to ask him to waive his rights on all his bank accounts since 2000 so my “company” could access them to print them here. Ask also the address of his residence in San Francisco so we could trace how it was bought. No way he could afford even with his chief justice salary plus the salary of his wife at Camp John Hay. Dare his family to show his SALN and ITR for the past 5 years and I will do the same for comparison to prove my theory. Your hero is corrupt in the highest category. Thats the truth, however he denies it. Corona is a dayum liar. We can randomly pick 10 OFWs and they will all say , no way he paid installment on that condo with his monthly salary.

        • Corona worked in the private sector for 20 years. Early in his career, Corona served as special counsel at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He later became senior vice-president and general counsel of the Commercial Bank of Manila, and later a senior officer of the Tax and Corporate Counseling Group of the Tax Division of Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.), the country’s largest multidisciplinary professional services firm. I am sure a salary of a senior vice-president and general counsel for a bank is more than enough to justify his means. A senior officer for Sycip Gorres Velayo and Co can also command a very handsome salary. Inherited wealth could also be a factor since his family could afford to send him to Ateneo and Harvard.

        • Corona started his career in government with Marcos under Executive Secretary Melchor in late 70’s to mid 80,s. Worked few years in private sector, went to Harvard under scholarship and was a working student, came back private sector few years then worked in government starting 1992 with Fidel Ramos that is why he has 1992 SALN with reported assets of 14 million pesos. He became VP GMA chief of staff in 1998. His reported assets in 2002 when he was PGMA chief of staff was 13 million, one million pesos less than 1992, This debunked the theory he earned a lot of money, at least according to his SALN, if true. The most years he worked in private corporations was 5-7 years. In ten years, 1992-2002 his assets went down by one million while working with Ramos and VPGMA yet from 2002 when he was appointed SC justice at least he was able to buy 14 million peso condo in cash. Not including those unexposed properties yet? We will know them during the trial. How did he do it in 7 years with associate SC justice salary that he was not able to do in 10 years with government salary too. Do the math? Only corruption could solve it.

        • I will pay attention to the trial and we will all know the real facts. I cannot say you are right and someone else is also right. Somehow I will try to keep an open mind and be impartial about everything. The truth will be exposed during the trial anyways. Evidence is the determining factor not public opinion, for me anyways. I don’t want to be convicted just because people disliked me or my methods or because I did not agree with someone’s opinion. If I would be found guilty of any charge given to me, I would rather be found guilty if the evidence is there and that I have been proven to be guilty WITHOUT A REASONABLE DOUBT. That’s what they always teach you in law school. Men’s rea, Actus rea, legal process, presumption of innocence, etc.

        • At least you read another opinion contrary to what was fed to you. Now you have an open mind. I dont claim Im right to convince you, just giving another side of the story with details and reasoning.

        • That is acceptable. I do like to hear from both sides. Di naman ako kumakampi with either side. Im just a spectator myself but I like to draw some conclusions on my own sometimes based on what I have read and already know which sometimes may be false information or insufficient information. Usually there is more to a story than what is being printed anyways.

        • Your above “soft punch” visibly shows that you’ve been licked. Or at least NANGHIHINA KA NA, Ricky. As we say in Tagalog, Ricky, GULAPAY KA NA SA HIRAP. LAMOG KA NA SA SUNTOK…. hehehe. But in fairness, I like your debating prowess. Magaling ka. Pero mas magaling kahit kanino ang KATOTOHANAN. Sa laht, mahirap kalaban ang KATOTOHANAN! Db, Ricky idol?

        • we will know but the truth usually hurts sometimes di ba? We have not heard the whole story yet. Somehow there might be missing information somewhere but that’s where the intrigue lies. It makes for good speculation on who is more credible. Actually, if you did investigate a lot of these congressmen / women and senators, there might be quite a few anomalies already to discover. Corona is only one of the scapegoats that was being pressured but I am certain there are others too and possibly some that are also involved in the cover up.

        • No.

          Corona is NOT a scapegoat.

          He is an EXAMPLE.

          You know the tagalog slang – sasampulan siya.

        • Fr RAISSA to RICKY somewhere above: “No. Corona is NOT a scapegoat. He is an EXAMPLE. You know the tagalog slang – sasampulan siya.”

          My exact same take, Raissa, Ricky. A SCAPEGOAT is not actually involved in a particular shennanigan/case. Sa Tagalog namin sa Rizal un ay SINANGKALAN lang. IDINAWIT. PINAGBINTANGAN. [Thanks Lolo Balagtas for my rich Tagalog bokab, hahahaha!]. And Corona is NOTHING but. He IS the major player. BIDA, kumbaga. “Bida” in the mold of Martin Marfil, Joseph de Cordova, Ricky Davao, Eddie Garcia and some such critters in our movie industry. LOL.

        • so that means they made an example of him? What about others? I am sure more than half of congress and some of the Senate can fit the same category. Corona was made an example BECAUSE of his ruling in HL and he was appointed by GMA. NOT because of anything else right? Or if there are others, why isn’t anyone going after them too? All the governors, the mayors, the senators, congresspeople, PNP, Generals, etc etc. hahahaha It is a joke however, I know the present administration CANNOT stay there forever. The term is 6 six years only so we will see another person who will have his own point of views and he or she may want to go after the past administration again. A repeat of what is happening now. The saying “what goes around, comes around” rings true in a lot of ways. Look what Estrada said. “Baka na Karma ka ngayon GMA”

        • @August C Fernando :

          You’re understanding of a scapegoat might be different than mine but here is an interesting story about one of Pnoy’s relatives (which is why I still think Corona is a scapegoat despite other’s opinion because a scapegoat is someone who is blamed when he is targeted and NO one powerful to defend him and that powerful person lets others get away with practically the same or even worst crime as in swindle or estafa) :

          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.

          Now Mr. Agust C Fernando, this is a REAL case and could you explain to me why Pnoy’s relatives are not investigated by the NBI? I know 6 years in power is a short time but I don’t know the statute of limitations on this case.

        • Just curious –
          Did you feed the same info about Omico to Neal Cruz or did you just lift this from him?

          Because his column of jan 12, 2012 has what you have word for word –
          http://opinion.inquirer.net/21021/graft-charges-filed-against-wrong-people

          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.

          You just added the last paragraph addressing Mr. Fernando.

        • From RICKY DE LA TORRE, somewhere in this discourses: “Corona worked in the private sector for 20 years. Early in his career, Corona served as special counsel at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He later became senior vice-president and general counsel of the Commercial Bank of Manila, and later a senior officer of the Tax and Corporate Counseling Group of the Tax Division of Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.), the country’s largest multidisciplinary professional services firm. I am sure a salary of a senior vice-president and general counsel for a bank is more than enough to justify his means. A senior officer for Sycip Gorres Velayo and Co can also command a very handsome salary. Inherited wealth could also be a factor since his family could afford to send him to Ateneo and Harvard.”

          RICKY, bottom line is THROUGH ALL THOSE YEARS, Corona was able to amass “only” a total of P14.5 million mazzumahs as shown in one of his SALNs. RIGHT? Aminado ka? So how in tarnation was he able to pay his Bellagio thingie with ALL THE CASH IN HIS DISPOSAL? And what about the OTHER 45 — you read right, FORTY-FIVE, as in KWARENTA’Y SINGKO! — pieces of PROPERTIES IN EXPENSIVE, EXCLUSIVE PLACES IN METRO MANILA that your Idol Corona and Family own? WHERE, OR WHERE DID THEY GET THE MOOLAHS FOR THOSE?

          B ALL AGAIN IN YOUR COURT, RICKY! HEHEHEHE.

        • Again you are already jumping to the conclusion that this is also true. 45 properties is a lot to amass in a short time on a Government employee salary. That is true. However, there was a reply by Corona that if these properties are real, he will give them away because they are not his and they do not exist. Remember the case with Senator Lacson regarding the Dacer-Corbito murder case? Suddenly, Mancao said there was 2 million dollars in his account that appeared out of nowhere that someone deposited. A demolition job is easy to do in the Philippines on any public figure. If they can counterfeit dollars and Gucci bags, they could easily create forged documents with someone’s signature on it. If the Philippines is like North America where you use a chip debit card, it is easy to trace transactions and there is NO WAY you can deny if you are actually earning this money and where you are spending it. A cashless society is what is being planned for the future where everyone has a microchip on their body and can be scanned for information. This information is in a database and cannot be duplicated and cannot be altered since there will be a timestamp each time a person will access this information. It will also show who attempted to access this information. Needless to say, it is “IDIOT PROOF”, and it will eliminate counterfeiters, drug dealers, blackmarket dealing, illegal transactions, money laundering, tax evaders, etc etc. This will also eliminate those Executives who are siphoning money out of companies, transfer or using company funds etc etc because the chip is only match to one person and that is the person where the microchip is embedded. Pero I was wondering bakit sa pinas even the payroll of employees they still use cash money instead of direct deposit and using a bank debit card with a security chip instead. This eliminates bank fraud and bank robberies easily. A bank robber cannot rob a store because there is no money. People cannot get robbed at gunpoint because there is nothing to take. A chip card can easily be stopped by calling a number and it will be cancelled as a security measure. The Philippines is still a long ways from being in the 21st century where everything is high tech. Anyways, yes, you are right, Corona may or may not be able to afford those properties if they existed. I doubt they are his and that this was his own doing. Probably some people that did a demolition job on his integrity. If they can manipulate the polls and manipulate votes or public surveys, they can easily forged documents. The Philippines is known for dirty tricks like this. Falsified identification, uttering false statements, etc etc. Remember “hello garci”? Or during Estrada’s trial , the false account he had? somehow down the line either Corona will fess up or some other people will. And those people who are involved must be scared out of their pants now.

        • @ricky
          This is from your own mouth: ” if they can manipulate polls and manipulate votes, they can easily fake documents” the only person accussed of rigging votes in 2004 & 2007 is GMA whose chief of staff was Corona. The person mho might present fake documents is Corona. Where is his installment loan document, bet you had yours when you bought your condo? So easy to produce, isn’t it?

          Also when you copy and quote a writer, acknowledge the author so you wont be accused of plagiarism like SC justiice Del Castillo.

        • Fr JOHNNY lin somewhere here: “@ricky This is from your own mouth: ‘if they can manipulate polls and manipulate votes, they can easily fake documents’ the only person accussed of rigging votes in 2004 & 2007 is GMA whose chief of staff was Corona. The person mho [sic] might present fake documents is Corona. Where is his installment loan document, bet you had yours when you bought your condo? So easy to produce, isn’t it? Also when you copy and quote a writer, acknowledge the author so you wont be accused of plagiarism like SC justiice Del Castillo.”

          I hope readers in this ongoing debate have discerned the sarcasm when I said Ricky de la Torre was my “idol” here. I said it in the manner a Jonathan Swift, a Samuel Clemens or a Westbrook Pegler would say it… in ironical vein. Now that we discover him, thru Raissa, to be ala-Supreme Court justice [read: PLAGIARIST], I won’t bother to read his posts anymore. I will just wait for Neal Cruz’s column. Neal was once one of my fave columnists in the defunct Manila Chronicle, along with IP Soliongco, Pura Santillan Castrence and Carmen Guerrero Nakpil.

        • Raissa, pardon if I put here this correction of my entry below. There is no REPLY buton in my item…. “Neal was once one of my fave columnists in the defunct Manila Chronicle, along with IP Soliongco, Pura Santillan Castrence and Carmen Guerrero Nakpil.” I think Neal H.Cruz’s paper was The Evening News, not the Manila Chronicle. Soliongco and Nakpil, tho, were with MC. Castrence, with Manila Bulletin(?). Not a big deal. Just for the record — and I hope — accuracy.

        • @Ricky
          Do you understand what you’re reading about future technology. Let us dissect:
          “chip debit card” – is also available in the Philippines to those with large bank deposits if you are not aware of it, usually a minimum of maintained 1 million pesos in the account. With your 360,000 canadian dollar you could do this when you desire to retire in our paradise. Sorry to tell you, that amount is not enough to buy a house in our subdivision, the minimum price is of our houses is 20 million pesos. I would love you to be my neighbor.

          Body micrchip: it is not “idiot proof” , ” fool proof” yes; idiot= gago; fool= naloko
          This microchip will never be imbedded in the body because thats only in the movies and North America will never be a garisson society in the near future.

          “direct payroll deposits” this is what you are talking about salary being deposited instead of cash payment : it does not eliminate bank robbery because the money is still deposited in the banks. You are probably talking about “armored car robbery” which is entirely different.

        • Electronic transactions are a lot more harder to steal. Armed bank robbers cannot rob paperless money that is recorded electronically. This is why they are aiming for a cashless society. Because they want to eliminate fraud, blackmarket economy from drugs, money laundering, counterfeiting, etc etc., money from the mob, terrorists and all kinds of illegal transactions. Currency is always being de-valued. Prior to 1973, the value of the dollar was always pegged with the value of GOLD. After 1973, Nixon based the value of the dollar based on it’s strenght and the market economy. In reality, the value of the US greenback has been going down ever since. Each time the price of OIL (barrel) goes up, the value of your dollar goes down. Each time, your U.S. government PRINTS more money, the value of your dollar goes down. It’s like the Russia ruble or the Mexican Peso before. It was so devalued against the dollar, everytime I went to mexico for holidays and exchanged my dollar, I had to carry a barrel full of mexican pesos. That’s what your AMERICAN dollar is heading for. A complete ZERO. It is not even worth the paper, it’s printed on. I bet the INK is worth more than the dollar bill itself.

        • hey ricky you look like you read too much but have you heard of identity theft. your electronic transaction or deposit will be easy to steal with your personal info and the smart criminal mind. and besides that if your bank will go under its just being insured for 100k and your out of luck if you have more. stop bragging about your wealth dude, it make me sick. my friends here in chicago cant stand your comments regarding your presume knowledge of the US finances. have you heard of the homehealth care boom in the united states where most of the owners are filipino nurses, our money is still good anywhere, have you heard of anybody using a canadian dollar for a business transaction. regarding your comment about the 2for1 hummer, nobody want to buy those trucks due to gas consumption we have hybrids now which are more expensive than hummers, and just for your info, i just switch my bently to an rr last month. now are we getting porrer or what…..

        • YOu might be sleeping all the time which is why you think everything is fine.

          Take a look at some of these REALITIES that are going on :

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmDnxcICvF8&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujpmhGUNjKk&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzjiW4U4V9g&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKHyLNvZwpI&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd0QvpdJD6Y&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F43e-wKY5IE&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjoBtNvBPIM&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6vi528gseA&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r9o3jmyoaA&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4YCjjqwH8M&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXIrfjLsmaU&feature=related

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxalsJBRc_Y&feature=related

          Didn’t you notice it? Even the Euro is in serious trouble? Countries like Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Iceland, Ireland are bankrupt? And you think the US is doing OK? You’re living in a house of cards. One strong wind will blow your house down in a matter of seconds.

          So go ahead and keep investing in US Treasuries and US Savings Bonds. Keep buying US stocks and buy US real estate. hahahaha, you’re going down dude.

          You keep living in your fairy tale dreamland without ever realizing what is so oblivious that is going on around you? hahahahaha

        • I have relatives and friends in your neighborhood. Yes, I can afford to buy a 20 million pesos home there if I get my inherited properties sold at the right prices too. And if my business ideas become successful. But, my sister’s friends who live in those posh neighborhoods are also trying to sell some of their properties, and they can’t even find buyers willing to pay their asking price or even just the current market value.

          I see a lot of rental properties in Makati and The Fort that are vacant for 8 months. Yes, they may find a renter for a few weeks but after that it is dead. The problem is overpriced units, some units cost more than a luxury hotel in the Canada. Some of the renters try to rent their units for $3000 a month when in Toronto, you can get the same quality for $1900 dollars. And considering the average salary of a worker here makes at least $47,000 dollars a year. Garbage collectors working in the Union (City workers) practically make $60,000 dollars a year. Bus Drivers for the Toronto Transit Commission make about $58,000 dollars a year plus lots of benefits.

          This is why I believe the Philippines is another bubble to burst. Overpriced Units there are just going to be vacant. No one in his right mind would pay for some of those Units even if they had the money or income to do so because they are overvalued. Believe me, that kind of thing will never happen here. And Canada’s economy is certainly more stable than Europe and the United States.

          Besides, I prefer to live modestly as I cannot tell what will happen in the future. With all this economic instability around the world, it is not wise to spend frivolously buying luxury things and homes that you cannot sustain in the long run.
          My strategy is just to lay low and invest my resources for a few years and wait until 2015 or 2016 when it might be safer. There is even a possibility of a World War III and another economic depression that may occur. I just need to lay low and live within the means and not squander everything. Hoping to gain some advantage later when the economy becomes clearer and better.

        • @JOHNNY LIN:

          Just to show you that I am telling the truth. Here is a link to salaries of Garbage drivers and collectors working for the city of Toronto :

          http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/655607

          They make more than the president of the Philippines? LOL

          Here is a link to Toronto Transit Bus Drivers :

          http://www3.ttc.ca/Jobs/transit_operator_drivers_recruitment.jsp

          Most average bus drivers make $58,000 a year or even higher after working 3 years or more. That is not including overtime pay, holiday pay (which is double time and triple time if the holiday falls on a Sunday) which also on top of their base salary, benefits, paid sick days, etc etc.

          I have a mechanic cousin in New York City who makes $90,000 dollars a year. Can your senators make that kind of money? That is why it is a joke in the Philippines. Get an education, work hard, study hard and be poor. Mayaman pa yun mga crooked and corrupt and that includes the present administration.

        • New york $90,000, bet your cousin does not live in the city and rides subway to work, brings lunch to work and washes his clothes. In Manila, with that kind of money we have maids and driver, and we barely work., he he he

        • FYI, a senior officer for SGV DOES NOT command a handsome salary, or at least handsome enough to buy whatever’s in his SALN.

        • From ZEE somewhere here: “FYI, a senior officer for SGV DOES NOT command a handsome salary, or at least handsome enough to buy whatever’s in his SALN.” I’m inclined to believe this. I think SGV is a cheapskate when it comes to compensation/salary of its people. A starting level CPA, even if you are a cum laude grad of a respectable school like UST, gets only P12,000 per month. Which is really a pauper’s pay in this time and clime! Especially in Makati.

  6. Cuevas guilty of saying that Corona was still amortizing the penthouse and at the same time he said Corona did not give to him yet any document in the condo. Installment payment was also stated in the answers to impeachment complaints. Then, what was his proof on installment statement?

    These lawyers wrote something definite without Corona giving them the proof? They look stupid based on Cuevas media interview. No wonder Atty Francisco resigned from the team because he did not agree that statements were not backed up by documents which could be easily furnished by Corona if true. This is more believable reason of a lawyer with integrity rather than any other excuses on his withdrawal.

    The lawyers had misunderstanding on kowtowing to Corona’s withholding vital information away from them. Some were still treating him with reverence rather than a client. Cuevas unwittingly implied this in his interview, expected because of age related memory lapses. Corona could not trust his lawyers because they were volunteers, could be treacherous informants since few had been against GMA before. The documents exposed by Raissa in this blog proved the suspicion of some honest Corona’s lawyers.

    Unsurprising that Cuevas would withdraw eventually too, citing poor health. His credibility and dignity sullied by his own statement contradicted by exposed deeds of absolute sale. Cuevas, lawyer, ex SC justice making stupid claim,hearsay without evidence which his client could furnish to him immediately if there are documents of monthly installment. Kawawang matanda, masisira ang reputasyon sa pagtatago ni Corona ng ebidensiya sa kanya.

    • It is interesting to note that lawyers have their Code of Professional Responsibility to abide by. This appears on the IBP website.

      As an example, see Rule 19.02 below:
      Rule 19.02 – A lawyer who has received information that his client has, in the course of the representation, perpetrated a fraud upon a person or tribunal, shall promptly call upon the client to rectify the same, and failing which he shall terminate the relationship with such client in accordance with the Rules of Court.

      I suggest readers should refer to this Code so that we know whether the lawyers behavior do not breach their Code.

      I am wondering how many of the lawyers (especially those representing Corona because there are 15 of them) abide by their Code. (On the side, I am reminded of Lambino, Topacio, Flaminiano, Arroyo, et al being GMA’s lawyers, and whether they did not breach Rule 19.02).

      it is interesting

      • Could you provide a link to the Code, pls, so everyone can read the entire thing.

        Thanks for the info.

        Very interesting.

      • @Ding
        Right on the money. corona was not furnishing them documents/information that is why they were forced to file motions to delay, including soliciting few lawyers to intervene in SC despite their knowledge that SC must not interfere on impeachent. francisco was uncomfortable aside from the Villar issue so he resigned from the team.The answer contained the installment payment on the condo because Corona said so and promised to give them documents but Prosecutors pre-empted by revelation and they were all surprised. There was too much blaming after seeing the Raissa documents. Delos Angeles was having second thoughts but so far he was persuaded to stay put. Hofilena was being filled up thru phone and text, same issue he decided not to participate. The conflict of interest with his son was minor issue.

        Cuevas forced media interview was revealing, he was trying to exonerate himself by saying “due to the unique position of Corona, i did not ask for the documents” Lousy excuse because he must treat him as a plain truthful client rather than an honorable justice in terms of submitting evidences. He did not become justice not to know this simple client lawyer evidence sharing relationship. He was seething mad for being conned easily by Corona but he was already deeply committed to him so he fulfills his end of the bargain, Saving face!

        • @Johnny lin

          CASE SCENARIO
          What if CJ R Corona and his lead lawyer Serafin Cuevas are quite right on their own version of public pronouncements? With the lawyer acting innocently and submissive, like a lap dog. By an ex-Supreme Court Associate Justice to the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

          The Coronas claim they are still paying off a loan they used to purchase a property at Bellagio. Cuevas claims the same except that Corona hasn’t supplied him documentary evidence to support this claim. Which is very odd considering R Corona is a lawyer. Also that R Corona allowed his lawyers to submit his answers for the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate Impeachment – unsigned!

          Since Cuevas lack the document evidence (no Contract to Sell from Megaworld) to support these claims on the Bellagio property yet, there is no way to accurately identify what is this Bellagio Property the Coronas claim they still continue to pay by installments.

          ——————

          Raïssa’s excellent investigative reporting has unearthed or received documents that prove the Coronas do have a Bellagio Property. These materials purport to signify that it is fully paid by virtue of a Deed of Absolute Sale from Megaworld bearing the name of the Coronas , amount paid, etc.

          Raïssa’s documents refers to the Bellagio 38 B (CCT No 19497), Parking Lots No 50 – 52 (CCT No 19651 – 19653). It is fully paid – no loan repayments outstanding.

          CASE THEORY: More than one Bellagio Unit

          Is it possible to assume that the Coronas have more than one unit located in the same Bellagio street address but on different parts of the building? And that they have more one property with Megaworld at the same Bellagio address? Is it suffice to say that the one that Raïssa has brought to light is one that is fully paid, and the second is what CJ R Corona admits to still paying off the loan?

          As you also noted, Corona’s lawyer Serafin Cuevas maintains that R Corona hasn’t supplied him THE documentary evidence , such as a Contract to Sell between Megaworld and the Coronas?

          A bigger question everyone should be asking; what is the relationship of Megaworld and the Coronas in relation to the Bellagio Property(s)? What arrangement do they have for the Coronas to secure these property(s). As we are aware by now, CJ R Corona penned one of the Megaworld cases before his sala in their favor.

          ——————

          UNLESS A WHISTLE BLOWER WHO IS PRIVY TO THESE do testify with irrefutable first-hand evidence, AND OTHERS – TOO DIFFICULT TO PROVE THAT ANYTHING WAS ILLEGAL. The solon-prosecutors should be at their best to convince a political win over these allegations.

          Usually if there is a criminal complaint, the police or an investigating body (e.g. NBI) with special police powers can raid offices, confiscate materials and investigate the matter. Anything allowed by law to investigate a criminal behavior to warrant prosecution. If there are evidences gathered/collected, it would be recommended for criminal prosecution by a public or gov’t prosecutor(s).

          In CJ R Corona’s case, it is by impeachment. There was no formal investigation or collection of evidences. Except those that are now in the room-full of evidences that Rep. Tupas claims they have against the Chief Justice. BUT this is a political trial, an impeachment process to try to forcibly remove a seating gov’t Chief Justice official. The Legislative Branch is endowed with special powers to impeach the Executive Leader or any member of the Judiciary.

        • Hi Raïssa,

          LOL!

          I was merely toying with the idea that if it was the case scenario.
          These people are not simpletons, as much as I would like to berate their wrongdoings, infuse a moral compass on their failures and castigate them for their absence or loss of professional etiquettes, and the like.

          Sometimes, crooked people(corona, cuevas) of the same trade just nod, wink and look at each other (without saying much) for just affirming that their sorry circumstances (like R Corona) are survivable.
          Shrewd and cunning people (old school so to speak) can always get themselves around a predicament.

          Sa simpleng salita, “Kung may lusot, may gusot”.

          Like many of your ardent readers, I really hope your light and good example will cast its rays on people who are privy on cases like this. So that they can be enlightened and show cause to spill the beans. THEY MUST DO THE RIGHT THING.
          Expose and reveal what they know, and find your channel to correct the wrong and put a stop to the shenanigans placed on a very important institution of our country.

          You know – so far, the commenters – for and against, haven’t thought as yet of the people who got the bitter end of the injustice rulings and gravel decisions (including flipflops) that CJ R Corona have made. Simply because, the people they were up against can solicit or influence judges’ decisions on their favor.

          The Solon-prosecutors should darn know what they have, and surest on what they need to do for a successful impeachment.

          Dakal Salamat keka Raïssa.

        • @Leon

          Hindi ooii.

          Si Raissa ang ilaw, sumusunod lang tayo sa liwanag niya.

          May katotohanan ang liwanag kasi niya – kabayan.
          Hindi biro ang nangyayari sa bansang pilipinas ngayon.

          Kung gusto mong umunlad at maiayos ang bansa, makibaka ka sa tama.
          kungdi ang maralita, ang maliliit na tao ang maiipit at mahihirapan sa bandang huli.

          Ang mga taong makapangyarihan corrupt ang unang managot, magmula sa itaas at pababa. Para may halimbawa na ‘no one is indispensable or above the law’. Lahat ay pantay – pantay. Kungdi, paikot-ikot lang ang ganiyang buhay at pamamaraan sa bansang pilipinas.

          Kaya kung may ebidensiya ka kay PNOY about corruption, gaya ng sabi mo sa ibang threads mo. Pakiusapan mo si Ginang Raissa na magtulungan kayong ibulgar din dito. Walang lokohan.

          Eh kung isa ka sa mga bayaran na ibebenta ang kaluluwa para magdanak ng mali o pampagulo, eh baguhin mo at sumabay ka sa liwanag para matuwid ang kamalian. Kung tutuong tao ka naman, pagpasensiyahan mo na lang ako – kabayan.

          Mabalos.

        • @mel
          Your scenario of another property on installment goes back to the basic questions: where is his source of income to be able to pay $14 million monthly installment in 5 years( max time in philippine banks)? How did he acquire this other property? Why did he answer Bellagio property is on installment? its the other property that was on installment, not Bellagio. How the loan from first property was used was immaterial. Besides, it does not make sense to amortize another property when you could amortize the new Bellagio although its personal choice. The more alibis, the more they will be caught in web of lies. Its so easy to produce mortgage papers, show them or name the bank and Raissa could ask the bank if true, the way she investigated BIR and Taguig tax Assessor. Its beginning to look more that there is no installment plan every day no paper trail is produced. Which bank or private individual wants to be dragged into this sensational case by backdating loans in millions? It will invite scrutiny from IRS and Anti money laundering for private individuals. Even Mike Arroyo could not save Corona.

          According to Cuevas himself, whatever was submitted to the Senate could not be changed, so they could not change their answer to this property that it is still being paid on installment.
          Niluto ang sarili sa sariling mantika, di ba?

        • @mel
          There is another outlet scenario, Corona could use. Her daughter Cheryl in San Francisco is paying the loan.Then the daughter has to prove the loan, what US bank she got the loan, when and was she qualified with her income? 14 million pesos is equivalent to at least $340,000 in 2009. How did she bring the money to the Philippines? Bank checks or cash?
          If Cheryl says she had the cash lent to her parents then same process, she could be reported for investigation by IRS and Anti Money Laundering office in US if she has the ability to possess that kind of money. I would tend to believe this scenario the reason delay for trial was being explored in many ways. But then, its easy to seek paper trails in US, the way the Ligots were prosecuted so the daughter has to be really careful.

        • @Johnny lin.

          As for the source of funds or income to afford the loan repayments, it remains to be seen. His SALNs are not available to ascertain his real assets, liabilities & net worth. Mortgage terms & conditions, for all we know – the Coronas may have a special rate and schedule to repay it in 25 years +, or maybe until never EVER.

          From the announcements of both, R Corona didn’t deny the Bellagio property. His admission is preceded by ‘still paying by installments’. Whereas the evidences presented here, it is done and dusted since Jan 2010. Should it be deliberated in the Senate Impeachment, they may already have a ‘hat trick’ up their sleeves to belie the Bellagio property.

          Agyaman ak apo. Thanks mate!

        • The longest real estate term in the philippines is 10 years, commonly 5 years. Even with 50% down payment the loan balance of 7 million pesos will entail to pay principal and interest rate of 4%(impossible rate for ordinary citizen), the monthly payment for 10 years is at least 70,000 pesos a month. Chief justice does not earn that much a month. My guess his salary borders in the 40- 47,000 a month range.

        • FYI, Mortgage life terms here in Australia have a maximum of 25 years, some banks do offer 30 years.

          However, the monthly mortgage repayments can be paid more than the minimum. If the person paying a mortgage pays more than minimum each month over several years, the life term of the mortgage is cut down sooner than the expected life term.

        • @downunder
          In Australia, Canada, USA, England mortgage term is longer up to 30 years but not with banks in the Philippines because the mortgages are not packaged to be resold to investors unlike in other countries. Usually 5 years, 10 years to special clients at the most in Philippine banks. Maybe SS, GSIS and Pagibig loans offer longer terms but they dont offer to large loans like that of Corona condo amount.

        • @mel
          Meron ng lumabas ng SALN ni Corona 1992 and 2002. Maximum assets niya 14 million pesos na kasama sigurado dun yung Xavierville house property niya. So from 2002- 2009 imposible magkarun siya ng 14 million cash o mabayaran ng installment Bellagio sa SC justice salary niya. Kung binenta yung bahay dapat me record yun. Isa lang conclusion kahit gaano niya ipagkaila — graft and corruption. Kaya ang ginagawa lang ng abogado niya magfile to delay the trial habang naghahagilap ng documents. Maramimg ng umatras na tao sa pakiusap nila.

        • @mel
          The latest is the prosecutors sre asking senate to subpoena all members of Corona family including their ITRs and records of properties all over metromanila. This is what I have been talking about ” manufacturing documents”, the reason delaying tactic was the strategy of Corona camp approach. Corona should spare his family but I dont think he will escape corruption charges after resignation or conviction. The phase of shame the family has started. Corona should have realized that Pnoy men had been collecting evidences against him since he accepted midnight appointment and government employees trying to curry favors from PNoy men for their own future were volunteering information. He miscalculated Pnoy’s resolve because he relied from GMA assurance.

        • @Johnny lin

          Tit for Tat ang magkabilang panig.

          Hindi pa naguumpisa, paramihan ng summons request.
          A lot of worms and Corona family dirty laundry will be ‘budding’ on this saga.

          With all the Corona attention, nasapawan si Gloria at si Abalos.
          At si Homo Adaza – pumapapel na uli.

          Corona emotional, holds back tears in novena Mass, also when the couple listens to the Impossible Dream being played – they too can’t hold on to their emotions. Makes us all wonder what their tears are for, and for what depressing state they regale in. Was it the expose or the impeding threat that all will be lost, including their family honor.

          This time, association with GMA is proving to be a disaster. Reality is setting in.

          The former president doesn’t get it, she still has the temerity & gall to belittle and blame PNoy for the economy. GMA schools PNoy: ‘It’s the economy, student’.

          This is where the impossible has come to naught.
          The student’s fervor for economic, political & social change has led his teacher to jail for betraying the very principles she taught her students back at school.

          We are all witnessing something not of the ordinary.

        • Only those financially threatened by PNoy anti corrupt crusade are resisting him. The worst credo is Corona, he says he is doing it to keep PH democracy and pretend to be religious. Trying to make Jesus stand besides him. what a prick!

          Yo nitwit, you should not have accepted midnight appointment if democracy was battlecry in your heart. You should have told GMA before, Im Godly!

        • @rose
          It was obvious from what we read on their moves. Start analyzing when Corona addressed the employees of the court after impeachment. Remember he is a lawyer. At that time he said he wanted a quick trial. Since then every time his lawyers say something the following day another theory is offered. TRO in SC by 4 different lawyers and IBP, impaired verified complaints, will ask all 188 congressmen to testify, censure of prosecutors, subpoena the speaker and 5 others, emergency TRO by Adaza/Paguia all in less than 4 weeks. They are throwing not only the kitchen sink but also the food incinerator and dishwasher to delay trial. What is the logical conclusion of this tactic: There are no installment payment documents on the condo matching his SALN. Corona is trying to manufacture documents, especially on his assets, bank deposits and loan that will pass scrutiny that is why forensic test on all submitted documents must be requested by Prosecutors. Wait till you read the bank deposits from at least 3 international banks. One account was closed already.

        • @rose

          A good one liner though, ‘…explored in many ways’.

          Keeps the public at the edge of their seats. While trickles of documentary bits N pieces drizzles in the airwaves all over.

          This is the bloggers own pre-trial participation as the crumbs falls from the kitchen table to digest. The chef author markets for ingredients, prepares the viand, presents it on the table, and while bloggers have a look, smell, taste – they express their opinions if is worth to munch or criticize why the viand choice, argue if anyone’s allergic to some ingredients, while others checks their diets, few are weight conscious, and so on.

          Piece meal, right?

          But another drinks a mexican beer called Corona, and says, ‘That was refreshing’.

          Sorry for the Troll Raïssa.
          Ginutom sa kababasa ng maraming comments.

        • @Johnny lin

          You often quote, RA 6713 Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials specifically Section 7(d), acceptance of gifts.

          The burden of proof is on the solon-prosecutors to prove that it was a gift, a favored arrangement between Megaworld & the Coronas or establish that it is an unexplained wealth by the CJ.

          But the articles of impeachment in reference to this Bellagio Item may only apply in articles 2 (SALN) & 8 (JUDICIARY DEVELOPMENT FUND (JDF) AND SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR THE JUDICIARY (SAJ)). Nothing even on unexplained wealth, except if the solons-prosecutor will lead the questioning towards CJ dipping into the Judiciary funds to pay by installments (or in full) the Bellagio Property(s).

          NOT A SURE THING if the Bellagio item will be mentioned or raised in the Impeachment proceedings by reason of relevance to Articles 2 & 8..

          With no Corona SALN available as basis, what is there as a resource to prove his unexplained wealth – if there is.

          Can’t the Senate Impeachment (or solon-prosecutor) summon documents like this from the Judiciary Branch? Are they allowed to summon judiciary personnel as well to be resource witnesses for or against the CJ R Corona?

        • Raissa is right. Any supporting evidence could be submitted to the senators, like that envelope in Erap case. Of course Corona team will oppose anything against their client but the Bellagio is in play now because it was admitted in the answer. The bone of contention is “still being paid on installment”. In my opinion Corona lawyers were blindsided by him and accepted his assurance on this and I say again it was elaborated by Cuevas the extent of his knowledge which is almost incompetency or negligence for not asking for proof before putting it in the answer. “Due to the position of Corona” is telltale! Cuevas sounded remorseful, isn’t it?

        • Ehh di okay na.

          CJ R Corona’s SALN can be produced in the Senate Impeachment if either side requires it.

          The Senate Impeachment – Senators (Judges) can so order the Judiciary Branch to produce the hoarded SALNs. Eh di mainam.

          IF it is submitted, can they include the whole nine yards… since R Corona became a Supreme Court Associate Justice to the present year as Chief?

          Bank deposit documents? Phone records? Travel itineraries (overseas, domestic) for the last x years?

          An inquisition? It remains to be seen.

        • @mel
          If you look back at our exchanges with saxnviolins, i have been pointing out that 3 impeachment articles have claws but Article II SALN has the most substance and best chance for conviction which Saxnviolins criticized but if you read his latest posting in this aricle, he realized he made a mistake in interpreting it. He said ooops.
          Keep rolling mate

        • @Johnny lin

          From recent news, there are at least 4 condominium units involved.

          Some of the ‘room-filled evidences’ of the House Prosecutors?

          Here are the latest salvo from the House Prosecutors against CJ R Corona and concerned Associate Justices:

          – Prosecutors: Coronas amassed 40 properties in 9 years | ABS-CBN News

          – “Eh di ilabas nila. Kung mailalabas nila iyong properties ko ibibigay ko na lang sa kanila (So disclose it. If they could produce the properties they can have them)…I will sign a deed of donation,” Corona told reporters after the 7th day of Novena at the Supreme Court.

          – SC justices risk impeachment over PAL case – Casiño

          – Corona mum, emotional about prosecution team’s request to summon family members

        • Million dollar question, How many of those condos are Megaworld properties?
          40 undeclared properties with an average value of 5 million pesos, that is 200 million pesos in 9 years. Excluding daily lifestyle and bank deposits. No wonder he is clinging to CJ position.

          He should have seen this mess coming to his family since accepting CJ appointment. If he did not, the summa cum laude is undeserving.

        • Megaworld got mega projects, mega government lots only during the time of Arroyo, (former Iloilo airport, Villamor, Jusmag, Public Safety College place in Fort Bonifacio) Andrew Tan wasnt even on the billionaires lists before. Was his closeness to the former FG merited some favors?

          I dont have know how on the realty business but having worked in Fort Bonifacio, BGC now, Ive seen the transformation of Fort Boni from grassy, bushy to posh luxury, a more than 300sq m penthouse unit for P14M only, that is really a steal. I dont think that is the real value of that property.

          And with the salary plus allowances of a CJ, no way can he buy that Bellagio unit unless he is super rich and has other businesses.

          It is really very hard to fight corruption.

        • 14.5 million pesos is about $340,375.58 Canadian Dollars. I just sold my condo for $360,000 and Im NOT super-rich. Don’t you people have some sort of standards? A typical middle class standard house in my neighborhood goes easily for $400,000 to $500,000 dollars. A filipino guy who wanted to buy my condo before works in the IT industry and he is trying to sell his 4 bedroom house in Scarborough for $600,000 dollars and that’s very middle class here. Super rich people here have homes in the $3,000,000 dollar range for a modest mansion, not really extravagant to super luxury mansions with 13 acres or more for $25,000,000 +++ This is definitely making the Philippines look really like a bunch of government people that are poorer than Garbage collectors from Toronto or New York City. New York city garbage collectors make $80,000 dollars a year. Look it up if you don’t believe me. This is why I think, some type of syndicate or mafia is holding government employees by the balls because of the lower standard of living, the poor salaries and certainly the backstabbing of filipinos against each other trying to get “pogi” points from the public and the present administration. it’s a joke.

        • By the way, a Supreme Court Chief Justice here would be making more than $300,000 dollars in today’s Canadian dollars. See below chart set in 2004:

          Here are the salaries that were set in 2004, effective for four years.

          Department of Justice Canada

          8] The alternative formula is discussed infra., Recommendation 16,
          Representational Costs.

          [9] Recommendation 1: The Commission recommends that the salary of puisne
          judges be established as follows.
          Effective April 1, 2004, $240,000,
          inclusive of statutory indexing on that date, and for the next three years:
          $240,000 plus cumulative statutory indexing effective April 1 of each of
          those years.
          (“Statutory indexing”: under the Judges Act, judicial salaries are indexed
          to the Industrial Aggregate Wage.)

          [10] “puisne” refers to a judge who does not hold the office of Chief
          Justice.

          [11] Recommendation 2: The Commission recommends that the salaries of the
          justices of the Supreme Court of Canada and the chief justices and
          associate chief justices should be set as of April 1, 2004, and inclusive
          of statutory indexing, at the following levels:

          Supreme Court of Canada:
          Chief Justice of Canada $308,400
          Justices $285,600

          Federal Court and Tax Court of Canada:
          Chief Justices $263,000
          Associate Chief Justices $263,000

          Appeal Courts, Superior and Supreme Courts and Courts of Queen’s Bench:
          Chief Justices $263,000
          Associate Chief Justices $263,000

        • whats your point. why are you comparing the standard of canada and phillippines, you did not take into consideration that the value of the land cost more sometimes than the actual cost of the house, in canada and united states may i remind you that the location of your house affects the price. for a comparison, my 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in trump towers in downtown chicago cost the same as my 6 bedrooms 5 bath house with indoor swimming pool in the suburbs. jonhhy lin is right go back home and re emerse yourself of being a filipino. you sound canadian and pretend to be a canadian but when you look at the mirror what can you see. been living here in the states for over 45 years but did not stop in dreaming that someday someone will have the political will to stand up against the corruption and stop the old and the same. lets start prosecuting the top then down the line. all we need is the start……

        • KARMA ANG TAWAG DIYAN MGA KAPATID, Sa sobrang pagkagahaman ni thief justice corona sa kapangyarihan, kayamanan at Salapi ay ginamit ang lahat nang paraan para makapanloko, makapandaya, makapagsinungaling at Magpayaman para sa Pansariling PAKINABANG…at Tama ang sabi sa Banal na AKLAT, “WALANG SINO MANG MATALINO, MAYAMAN, AT MAKAPANGYARIHAN TAO ANG MAKAKALIGTAS SA ANOMANG NAKARAAN NA KANYANG GINAWA”, AMEN….

      • One of the subjects in the law course is Legal Ethics where a student is taught not only to prepare pleadings, affidavits etc., but far more importantly to convey only the truth. Nowhere can you find a professor teaching a student to concoct stories. Sad to note that when they practice law its almost the other way around..

        • Ethics have something more to do with moral principles or that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions. But then again MORALITY also depends on a persons culture?, ancestral customs?, religious beliefs / customs?, individual creed or simply a person’s upbringing depending on the environment they were brought up in.

          The reason I mentioned all these criteria is what might be moral for a certain person might be immoral to another person. One example is in Religion. Under the strict Muslim or Islamic Sharia laws in some of the middle east, women are supposed to wear a niqab while in Afghanistan women under Taliban rules must wear a burka. If you are a country of democratic laws and have no prejudice and discrimination against people of other religion or faith or customs, then you allow certain ancestral customs to be practiced and traditional costumes or attire to be worn in your country.

          This leads us to the question about getting a discount, is it a violation of the law for someone to get a discount? YES OR NO? If YES, please provide the ruling and article where this could be found. This is just basing things in a practical sense. GIFTS obviously received by a Government employee particularly someone in authority is seen as a sign of some kind or form of bribery. However, a discount can be given to anyone and at anytime on a lot of things. I get discounts all the time. I buy products on sale when I shop. Call me frugal and maybe prudent in my nature but bottom line is I try to save money when I can when I shop. Even more so for a person working for the Government because they have a small salary so they can only afford sales, and products sold on discounts. Are I right? Or are government employees NOT allowed to shop for luxury items ON SALE?

          Here is a link to Eml Jurado’s editorial regarding the on-going impeachment :

          http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2012/january/13/emiljurado.isx&d=2012/january/13

          You might want to expand your mind and read it to get a different view of the impeachment. Like I said once before, there is always two sides to a coin. If someone is holding a coin with both heads then he is lying, cheating and is holding a crooked coin because no two sides should be alike.

        • Correction: I meant “AM I RIGHT?” and NOT “ARE I RIGHT?” LOL my apologies. Im using my laptop and my fingers find it harder to type than on a desktop.

        • @ricky
          Kung hindi mo alam, Si Emil Jurado, crook din yan. Kumita siya ng malaki nung panahon ni GMA bilang Director ng PNOC. Pinatalsik siya ni PNoy. Kaya puro against siya kay Aquino ngayun. Bias siya kaya baka wala pang sampung tao naniniwala sa kanya. Sayang kung kailan siya tumanda saka ang kaispan nabaluktot, hindi naman niya kailangan ng pera siguro na.

          Ngayon sa gifts na sinasabi mo, google mo RA ui6713, me definition dun ang “gifts” na hindi dapat tanggapin ni Corona.

        • have you read the anti kickback law in the united states and canada. even discounts are prohibited up to certain amount if you receive something in return.

  7. easy reading, may mapupulot kang pag-iisipan, pati mga comments napa-follow through. keep it up, ms robles!

    • Thanks.

      With your name, I believe you can appreciate the following quote –

      “Uneasy lies the head that wears the corona….”

  8. PNoy’s Pork Barrel (unaudited and unprogrammed):

    2011 — P68B
    2012 — P120B

    I am expecting Raissa to also investigate how PNoy spent the billions of taxpayers’ money. in 2011.
    I think it is fair that people should know because if he cannot account on this and cannot be transparent
    about it, then his slogan “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” does not mean a thing.

      • @Leon

        Paki pasa mo na rin sa amin iyong kay Manuel L Quezon at mula kay Elpidio Quirino.

        Medyo hawig mo kasi!

        Ano iyong letrang B sa P120B?

        Bullshit ba?

        Mukha nga…

        • Mali bang malaman kung saan napupunta ang pera ng bayan? Papayag ka ba na walang audit ang paggastos ni pNoy sa pera natin? akala ko ba Matuwid na Daan tayo ngayon. Bakit walang transparency sa usapin na ito.

        • @Humming Bird.
          Gaya ng sabi ng dakilang manunulat:

          raissa says:
          January 12, 2012 at 7:07 am

          Give me proof.

          I’ll publish it.

        • Raissa, the proof is they have no proof of disbursements. Can you ask them if they have proof on this matter. I appreciate very your diligence in ferreting out the truth, especially if you could look into billions of people’s money on the hands of one man.

        • the problem is intelligence fund is not subjected to auditing kaya nagiging milking cow yan ng mga nakaupo sa govt

      • Just do them both. It appears that Pnoy might just want the public to focus their attention on GMA and Corona while he and his croonies partake in some of the spoils themselves while everyone’s eyes are glued on the past administration. It’s a magician’s illusionist trick. Do them both and I bet Pnoy is just as guilty as the rest of them. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black when both of them are

        • I am NOT focusing on CJ Corona right now because of what PNoy wants.

          It’s what I believe is important right now.

          A CJ has to have integrity.

        • I suggest you don’t focus only on Corona. Train your eyes on the big crocodile with P68B unaudited pork barrel in 2011 and P120B in 2012. how did Pnoy spend that big amount of people’s money. Maybe you can start with ABAD.

      • Isama mo na rin si GMA in the interest of fairness. investigate mo lang kung saan ginastos ang bilyon bilyon na yan lalong lalo na ang Daang Matuwid.

    • Leon,

      Tingnan mo yung article sa taas ni Raissa. SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTARY evidence na hinalungkat niya.

      Kaya yang mga figures mo, paki-share naman kung saan nanggaling. Kung si Raissa nga na journalist hindi pa nabibigyan ng access sa palasyo, ikaw pa kaya??? Mabuti kung insider/whistleblower ka at may smoking gun ika nga, sususportahan ka pa.

      Kaso, dakdak ka ng dakdak wala naman references yang mga numero mo. Saan mo hinugot yan? Sa pw*t mo?

    • Leon kong may narinig o ibedensiya ka na mayroong mali sa ginagawa ni Pnoy sa kanyang Pork Barrel bakit hindi ikaw ang mag imbestiga, dinadagdagan mo pa trabaho ni Raissa? Tuta ka yata ni corona at arroyo? Tama si Raissa, dapat ang kay arroyo muna at saka kay corona ang focus ngayon kaya maghintay ka? Bulag ka yata Leon, Maliwanag mga ibedensiya pero kapit tuko ka sa amo mong kurapt at sinungaling? Tingnan mo nangyari umatras na ang dalawang abogado ni corona dahil hindi na nila kaya ang baho ni corona? kong walang kasalanan si corona eh simply lang ang sagot, ipakita lang niya ang SALN o resibo nang hinuhulogan niyang penthouse pero bakit hindi maipakita dahil may itinatago? maraming mga tanong dito na dapat ipaliwanag si corona? at ang pagbili nga lang nang murang penthouse ay mali at may kaakibat na conflict of interest dahil itong si corona ay chief justice nang supreme court at ang megaworld bilang seller ay may petition/kaso sa SC…

      • I agree with Leon that we should also make pnoy accountable for the pork barrel that he allocated for himself. Saan ba niya ginagastos ito. Pangsuhol ba ito sa mga congressmen at senador. O, ibinulsa na lang niya. Remember according to reports, his assets increased by 256% during his first year at hindi pa
        kasama yung excess campaign funds. He could have paid more in income taxes.

        • Pnoy assets increased by 256% & Pnoy has a reasonable reason for that? How about thief justice corona? Ipinakita ba ni corona bagkus pinakatago tago pa nga niya at ang abogado niya ay ganoon din ginawa pagkatapos nang mahabang dikasyon ay nailabas din so sino ngayon ang may tinatago basi sa aming nakikita? if l were thief corona l will not stay in the Supreme Court a day longer…Nakakahiya at Nakakdiri na mga naglalabasang ibedensiya…

      • @jorgebernas, yung pag atras dalawang abogado ni Corona may rason ang mga yan. si former justice hofilena may anak siyang kasama ni Atty Bautista, legal counsel ng prosecution. Medyo may conflcit. Si atty jun francisco naman nakalaban niya bilang abogado si sen manny villar, kaya hindi makakabuti sa defense ni corona. huwag mo namang bigyan ng spin ang mga pangyayari without knowing the facts.

        http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/11/12/corona-lawyer-explains-why-he-quit

        • Tama ka Humming Bird, Umatras ang dalawang abogado ni corona dahil may rason, diba? conflict ika nga? Good Gentlemen. eh bakit si corono bumili nang penthouse sa mega world sa mababang presyo di ba maliwanag na may conflict of interest dahil may nakasalang na kaso ang megaworld sa S.C. parang bigayan ang nangyayari, diba. Saka bakit hindi nag inhibit si corona sa mga kaso ni GMA gayong dati siyang Tauhan/ TUTA ni GMA at ang asawa ni corona tumanggap nang position sa JHMC, gayong bawal? Bakit? at saka bakit si GMA ang nagbayad sa operasyon ni r. corona noong? Gayong bawal? Saka bakit laging fabor kay arroyo mga desisyon ni corona? ang sagot, maliwanag na bayad UTANG????saka TUTA kasi….

        • Yun ang sinasabi nila. Ang totoong rason nagkagulo sila dahil sinabi sa kanila ni Corona binabayaran niya ng installment yung Bellagio condo. Gusto ni Francisco ilabas ang documento dahil madli naman ipakita yung bank loan document. Saka walang tiwala din si Corona sa kanya hindi lang kay Villar, kay GMA at FG din at si Francisco abogado ni Gov Panlilio na nirekomenda pa siya maging Ombudsman ni Among Ed. Tinanong pa siya bakit hindi ba siya makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Corona. Nung lumabas ang expose ni Raissa lalo silang nagkagulo kaya nagresign na si Francisco nung Martes. Kailan niya inanounce magresign siya, nung Sabado ng hapon lang. Ganun din rason ni Hofilena sa documentong ayaw ilabas ni Corona. Matagal ng alam si Bautista ang abogado, bakit nung sabado ng gabi lang nalaman nagresign siya. ganun din si De los Angeles, napakiusapan lang siya dahil masisira na ang credibility nila dahil walang maisip naalibi sa kanya. Dahil di siya umalis yung 3 abogado kapalit na kinuha, dalawa lang gagamitin Kaya yung babae, plain spokeswoman na lamang muna at sinabi pa maraming abogado nagvolunteer para di halata ang exactong tatlo. Idrawing para madaling maintindihan yung mga numbers. Umpisa sa walong abogado.

    • I hear that 2 Billion is for the war chest to convict Corona which he will dangle in front of the Senators and Congress people.

  9. Today, Jan 10, Corona filed a motion in the Senate to discipline Cong Tupas for public disclosure of condo. He claimsthe motive was to damage his character to public perception. Delaying technical tactic, old(Cuevas)style.
    What character is he talking about? He destroyed it himself by accepting midnight appointment, ill gotten wealth and lapdog of GMA. There is nothing left of his moral character so Tupas has nothing to destroy.

    Wonder what charge Corona is going to accuse Raissa? Invasion of Privacy or conspiracy with Tupas?
    Signs of desperate and despondent magistrate!

    • Standard diversionary tactics – focus the issue on something else, deny, deny and deny any wrongdoing and – if all else fails – start slinging mud here, there and everywhere.

      Given our public figures and our ‘damaged culture’ – some of that mud is bound to stick and people may well forget the fact that it is Mr Corona on the dock and stands accused.

      I have a sneaking suspicion that among the ‘defenses’ Mr Corona will put up is the “fact” that “everyone does it” … he (or his lawyers) may even go Biblical and quote, “He who is without sin should cast the first stone.” Can we really say that there is any one among the Senator-Judges, even the prosecution panel or the defense lawyers who is truly ‘clean’?

      I have to agree with Raissa’s comment on the post about investigating P-Noy’s own pork barrel – “Isa-isa lang, mahina ang kalaban.”

      Let’s focus on this one first and see it to conclusion. Let’s not allow ourselves to be diverted from the key issue – me kasalanan ba o wala? Inosente ba talaga o hindi? Me ginawa ba o wala?

      If it comes out that others in government have done the same thing, then that is something to focus on *after* this issue is resolved.

      • I don’t think that’s a acceptable defense. Let’s wait for the impeachment proper and
        wait for his answer on these allegations. Let’s not judge him right away. A person is presumed innocent
        until proven guilty. Don’t go with the mob.

        • Sinira niya sarili niya pag tanggap sa midnight appointment, proven fact yoon. Ano pa sisirahin sa kanya, wala na. Nagkukunwari siyang malinis, para daw sa pilipinas ang ginagawa niya pero nung tinanggap CJ appointment para lamang sa kanya. Bulol siya ngayon nagpapamukhang santo. Yung nagsasabing inosente pruweba ang midnight appointment, di sana niya tinanggap. Ang batang munti pag tumanggap ng candy sa estranghero malamang mapahamak, kung tumakbo paalis ligtas siya. Dahil munti hindi siya me kasalanan, mali ang turo ng magulang. Si Corona matanda na, binigyan ng candy, sunggab kaagad kasi ganid, walang kaluluwa. Proven yun, hindi innocent.

        • Another proven fact of his lack of character. Last November, when he rushed coming back from USA for GMA TRO, he was said to be in Las Vegas staying in MGM properties paid by another person. He could prove he paid for the hotel bills by presenting his reservation code number and hotel credit card receipt upon checking in. He does not want to comment. He must waive his right to privacy so those receipts could be obtained. He would not because of his ill character. Dare him to prove his innocence on this fact because one of the receptionists in the hotel is a Filipina who could prove who paid his hotel bill, besides it could be easily accessed.
          Corona character worst than maggots based on proven facts.

        • It is also his right and within his power to present receipts that he bought his plane tickets where he traveled. Show the receipts and name the travel agency. He would not. “Thou shall not lie”; commandments, not rules.
          Receiving Holy communion while in a state of pathological lies speaks of hypocrite character.
          “in attempts to improve your character, know what is in your power and what is beyond it”, the key words are “improve and power”. Corona is in a state of denial, a psychological malady. Bad combination, sick mind and low character!

        • @Leon: You do not want people here to judge Corona but you are judgemental in your posts?

          “Leon says:
          January 10, 2012 at 1:51 pm
          But they said they’re transparent and honest. They also claimed they dislike corruption.
          Try harder Raissa. You’re doing good in investigating corrupt people. But the most corrupt nowadays is the one sitting in Malacanang. Don’t give up investigating these hypocrites whose slogan is “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.”

          Also google the application of “presumption of innocence until proven guilty” in law. Hindi literal ang pag interprete niyan!

      • binasag mo naman agad ang trip noong mama, kawawa naman. ;) may pattern na yang mga ganyan ngayon, innocent until proven guilty daw tapos biblical qoutes. noong christmas naman, may variation, pagpapatawad and world peace because christmas time naman.

        • May proseso naman tayong impeachment, di ba, net? Bakit di mo muna pakinggan ang side ni Corona bago ka magcondemn? Di ba may presumption of innocence ang isang akusado? tignan mo , yung isang akusasyon nila re judiciary funds bumagsak na. COA declared that there was no irregularities. Hintayin mo munang magpresent din ng evidence si Cj Corona.

        • 8 ang articles of impeachment. Isa lang kailangan pumasa para maconvict, yan ang katotohanan. Bigay na kay Corona yung JDF dahil ang COA kamo bumagsak na. Sinabi mo yun pero di mo sinabi itong dokumento ni Raissa na pinabagsak din yung sinabi ni Cuevas na binabayaran niya ng installment. Nakapiring yata yung isang mata ng babae. Gusto mo panalo sa COA dahil sa news pero ayaw mong banggitin itong expose ni Raissa na news din. Di ba, whats good for the gander is good for the goose. Ibigay mo sa Prosecutors ang graft sa condo pareho ng pagbigay kay Corona sa COA. Hindi mo rin nakita ebidensiya ng prosecutors pero gusto mo pakinggan ebidensiya ni Corona. One sided yata di ba? Kahit dalhin sa kagustuhan mo, ang resulta magnanakaw at walang kaluluwa si Corona.

        • @ Hummingbird

          Tama ka hummingbird mayroon nga tayong proseso kaso sa ginagawa ni thief justice corona na ayaw sagutin mga tanong sa kanya tiyak ako na mayroon itinatago? pinagastos pa ang mamamayan nang malaking pera para lamang maisiwalat ang gustong ipalabas na katutuhanan kaya may naghihintay na pabuyang galing kay satanas si coronang tinik nang lipunan? puro na lang kayo hintay? bakit pa maghihintay kong kaya namann ilabas ang hinihinging katutuhanan? abogado nga si corona at cumlaude pa pero sayang dahil ginamit ang kaalaman sa maling paraan kaya lumalabas na mga baho nitong si cotongrona? ang katutuhanan ang siyang mangingibabaw kaya magligpit ligpit kana coronacorakot….

    • That’s his right as a citizen. If you feel your right is violated, go to court and seek reprieve. I think that’s not unusual because these congressmen are not following the rules of impeachment. Read Rule 18 of the Rules of Impeachment.

      • Nasisiraan na lang si Corona ng ulo sa dami ng problema. Di sagutin dinat ipakita resibu niya sa installment sa publiko kung hindi totoo. Ano ang masama dun, yun ang right hindi rights. Paano walang mapakitang totoo kaya naghahanap ng kakampi.Gagastusin pa ang gobyerno sa korte dahil yung pera niya baka bigay lang ni GMA, hindi galing sa sariling kayod. Katotohanan, hindi rules ang dapat sundin.
        Patulan na ang lasing wag lang ang sira ang ulo sabi nga. Kaya di siya dapat pakinggan sa senate.

      • Leon, Bakit kailangan pumunta pa sa korte kong puwede naman sagutin kaagad dahil simply lang ang tanong at simply rin ang sagot? pero kong ang nasabing usapin tungkol kay pagbili ni corona nang penthouse ay may bahid nang kasinungalingan at pandaraya ay napakahirap sagutin kaya minabuti ni corona na manahimik, gets mo? Alam mo Leon para maliwanagan ka, kapag nagsampa nang kaso sa korte? 1.dapat may pera kang panggastos at pambayad sa abogado. 2. Dapat may oras ka at makapaghintay ka sa tagal bago madesisyonan ang kaso. 3. Dapat kilala mo mga judges/justices na may paninindigan at hindi kayang bilhin. 4. Magiging mapanganib at dilikado magingsa mga familya mo etc. etc…Kuha mo? LEON.

    • I am sure that there are tax/CPA lawyers among the multitude of Ms. Raissa’s readers.

      Can any one of you kindly educate us laymen on the feasibility of using Corona’s income tax returns from 2000 to 2010 relative to the issue of ill gotten wealth as well its relevance to the verification/truthfulness of Corona’s SALN, please.

      Oops, sorry po Ms. Raissa, presumptuous yata request ko without asking your permission. Ma’am, may I?

  11. Sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas ngayon lang nagkaroon na ang Chief Justice na ma -iimpeach at isang Batangueno pa. Kung may delicadeza at hindi matapang ang apog nitong si Renato Corona ay dapat na mag-resign na siya nakakahiya at nakakalungkot sa mga kapwa ko batangueno. Naalala ko tuloy noong kumandidatong Mayor ng Tanauan City si Alfredo Corona ( kapatid ni Thief Justice Renato Corona)year 2004 malawak ang naging dayaan sa kanyang katunggali na si Sonia Torres. Naghain ng protesta ( nagpa-recount ng boto si Torres , lumabas na panalo si Torres at nakaupo naman bilang Mayor. Ano ang akala ni Thief Corona makakawala pa kaya siya sa nakahain na walong (8) article of impeachment ? Ano pa kaya ang kanyang ipinagyayabang, sa bagay kasabihan dito sa Batangas “MAWALA NA ANG TAPANG WAG LANG ANG YABANG ” Noong nasa posisyon si GMA bilang Presidente, ipinagmamalaki ni Gloria Arroyo na malaki ang kanyang tiwala sa mga batangueno. tulad nina dating Secretary Nani Perez, DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza na may kasong plunder, at si Eduardo Ermita na executive secretary. Ay aba thief Justice Corona gising imulat mo ang yong busilig na nakapikit . Iisa lang ang Coronang Tinik sa lalamunan ng bayan na inaasahang matanggal . Mag-resign ka na. isalba mo ang dangal ng mga Batangueno.

  12. Raissa, can you investigate how PNoy spent his P68B unaudited and unprogrammed pork barrel in 2010, just to be fair? This is a mindboogling amount of money to be entrusted at the disposal of one person no matter how honest he is.

        • It’s obvious about the interview but hope they will furnish you documents about PNOY pork. he he he. Keep up the good work.

        • But they said they’re transparent and honest. They also claimed they dislike corruption.
          Try harder Raissa. You’re doing good in investigating corrupt people. But the most corrupt nowadays is the one sitting in Malacanang. Don’t give up investigating these hypocrites whose slogan is “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.”

        • You know, honestly, I have not heard of PNoy asking for money or anything in the same way that I kept hearing horror stories during Arroyo’s time.

          Yan ang totoo.

          Sa akin, kung may baho diyan, lalabas at lalabas yan. Hindi mo mapipigilan.

          Wala pa talaga akong naririnig sa business community na isinasangkot si PNoy.

          Kung meron kang marinig, sabihin mo sa akin. Pero dapat SPECIFIC.

        • I don’t know about pNoy, but I have to agree with what you wrote about hearing stories during FFPGMA time. Although classify as hearsay in courts, I have no reason to doubt the frustration of one of my close friend in the Export/Import industry when he told me of the way FFPGMA’s relatives tried to extort on every step of the way.

        • I agree with you Raissa. if Pnoy has engaged in monkey business you think mga alipores in GMA hindi ilalabas yan? for sure waiting game yan. For one and a half years, malinis pa rin mga transactions ng administration ni Pnoy.

        • @Leon

          You wrote, “But the most corrupt nowadays is the one sitting in Malacanang.”

          Can you please substantiate your claims, otherwise it is just innuendo of a vindictive lowlife embecile.

          Pork Barrel kamo? Billiones kamo?

          Saang kuwentong kutsero mo na simoy naman iyan?

          Nagbigay ka ng kaindak-indak na “… P68B unaudited and unprogrammed pork barrel in 2010, just to be fair? This is a mindboogling amount of money to be entrusted at the disposal of one person no matter how honest he is.”

          And then you rough ask Raïssa to investigate your claim. What is that?

          Otherwise, you are a fruit cake!

          Distraction ka lang. Nag sisilo ka lang ng pangbingwit mo. Lokohin mong lelang mong panot!

          Raïssa, inggat ka rito.
          Mamaya, dadalawin ka na niyan at aamu-amuhin ka na niyan.

          Hoy @Leon, kung mayruon kang tutuong pinanghahawakan, paki email mo na lang sa gmail
          email address ni ginang Raïssa.

          Atin-atin lang @Leon, HINDI AKO SARADONG maka PNOY.

          Pasensiya na Raïssa.

        • @ Leon

          Pilit mo lang nililihis ang usapin tungkol kay corona dahil siguro nakinabang ka sa kanya o binayaran ka para ipagtanggol dito? Sabi ko nga dinadagdagan mo lang trabaho ni Raissa? simply lang ang tanong tungkol kay corona at kaya niyang sagutin dahil napakatalino ni thief justice corona pero bakit hindi masagot dahil may itinatago. napakasinungaling kasi at mandaraya para makapagkamal nang limpak limpak na salapi. Karma na mga nangyayari sa thief justice corona….Puwweeee….

    • Pasalamatan natin si Raïssa sa gawain na makabayan.

      Isang tao lang po siya. Walang bayad ang mga imbestigasyon at artikulo na napagipunan niya dito sa kaniyang blog site.

      Sa dami ng problemang kurakot ng pilipinas, mula luzon hanggang mindanao, mula sa datihang mga presidente o kasama ang kasalakuyan hangang mayor ng daan-daang bayan. Marami ang puwedeng pagreportahan.

      Kung mayruon pung maungkat si ginang Raïssa, hindi basta-basta niya puwedeng ipalathala ito sa atin lahat. Propesyunal po ang kaniyang gawain. Pinag-aaralan mabuti dahil meron siyang magalang na pangalan na pinangangalagaan.

      Kaya, kita naman ninyo ang kaniyang mga kasulatan. Maayos, simple ngunit makatarungan ang kaniyang mga mensahe. May credibilidad at integridad. Hindi manloloko.

      Kaya kung maari lang po mga kababayan, paubayaan ninyo ang kaniyang pangsariling oras din at pagiging ina at asawa rin. Wala po siyang bayad dito. Para lang po sa inang bayan etong ginagawa niya, at sa kapuwa niyang makabayan din.

      MATUTO PO TAYONG MAKISUYO AT MAKIUSAP.
      MAGING MAGALANG DIN PO TAYO SA KANIYA.

      Nawa’y pagpalain din po tayo ng puong maykapal, na gaya niya.
      Para maging ilaw at asin din po tayo sa iba.

      Maraming salamat ginang Raïssa sa iyong mga kasulatang makabayan, at sakripisyo.

      PAHABOL:
      Kung sasagarin po ni ginang Raïssa lahat ng sabay-sabay, magkakasakit po iyan. At baka dumating ang araw na wala na tayong mabasa na katulad na gawa niya.

      BAWAL PO ANG MAGKASAKIT SA BAYANG PILIPINAS. MAHAL ANG OSPITAL AT GAMOT.

    • @ Leon,

      Magpakilala kang mabuti at makisuyo ka naman at huwag yong para kang boss na nag uutos sa tauhan mo saka huwag mo nang dagdagan trabaho ni Raissa? isa isa lang ika nga so far wala pa naman lumalabas na amoy tungkol kay Pnoy, Maghintay ka Leon at darating din yan kong may naaamoy na ang taong bayan pero sa ngayon malaki ang tiwala nang taongbayan kay President Aquino. Gets Mo….leon, pusangkalye kalang yata leon…

  13. @Raissa, have you checked if there’s a mortgaged endorsement at the back of the condominium certificate of title. I suppose this a certified copy from the Registry of Deeds. Normally, in mortgaged properties, the property is already transferred to the buyer thru a deed of sale, and then the mortgage contract is annotated at the back.

      • You should have post that page of the title, Raissa, because if Corona claimed that he’s still paying it by installment, there must be an annotation of mortgage at the back. Please post it just to satisfy our curiousity. Btw, is the document that you have a certified true copy from the Register of Deeds of Makati?

        • I think you should not patol this Leon.. He wants to check on PNoy, but obviously it is a diversion from focusing on GMA and Corona. This Leon glorifies Gloria and puts crowns on Corona. Me sakit sa pangamoy itong Leon na ito. He tries to sniff PNoy baho, pero di niya maamoy ang matagal nang umaalingasaw ang baho ni Gloria. Magkano kaya ang pakinabang niya ke Gloria?

        • So, it’s not a certified true copy? Yes, it is in Taguig. If it is not a certified true copy of title from registry of deeds of Taguig, how sure are that there is no mortgage annotation by megaworld or the bank/ again, on the title there must a certification from Registrar of Taguig that it is a true copy. Apparently, there is no certification. Therefore your document is not reliable.

        • Ayan, may umento kana sa handler mo!

          Kulang pa iyan sa pambili ng gamot at paospital sa salang dumating ang araw na naghihingalo ka sa sakit.

          Siguraduhin mo @Leon, iyong date stamp may initial at tama ang taon.
          At iyong papel, siguraduhin mong kapareho ng ‘rim batch’ gaya nuong orihinal, ano?
          Iyong tinta, nakuuuu! dapat parehong kulay, haa?

          nag hugas ka ba ng kamay?
          Iyong finger prints mo lilitaw duon sa papel.
          Tandaan mo, cha ang gamitin at hindi barako!
          malilintikan tayo niyan.

          MAGISIP KA NG DIRETSO, LUMAKAD KA NG MATUWID.

          kung hindi, wala kang umento o padagdag sa padasal.

  15. Since you can’t name your sources, with all due respect what made you think these informations didn’t come from the prosecution team for your own dessimination? Because evryone know that the prosecution are now following the gag order while you and so is the palace are not. Tanong Lang naman po.