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  2. Joker is going wild and afraid, he is afraid if the bank deposits of corona may eventually revealed to the public, he is afraid that this will become a precedent , he says what will stop any government agency of scrutinizing the bank deposits because of an alleged crime of graft , what will stop them including us Senators . Joker I think you have to convert your peso account into dollar just what corona did in Dec 12, 2011.

  3. Enrile’s treatment of the prosecutors was very inhuman. ’tis beyond comprehension.

    అవగాహన కతీతమైన

    • what is revolting about yesterday’s hearing is the charge that the pros is wasting the court’s time. i think we all know by now who is really wasting the court’s precious time., we saw it last week. wala akong masabi sa nangyari kung hindi yan ba ay liberality or partiality.

      • partiality is the name of the game. I can only pray for Divine Intervention. Been praying hard ..very very hard.

        • hindi ba ang liwanag? Enrile is even amenable to the Defense request to amend the Impeachment rules to allow Cuevas to object to the questioning of the senator-judges. and we still have to see a situation where Enrile is admonishing the defense and by the way what happened to the motion to cite the defense counsels for contempt? nakalimutan na yata…

  4. The Ruling of Irrelevancy of the abortive testimonies of the PAL Vice President on Article 3 of the impeachment complaints, could have been seen as a great victory for the Defense had it not been flavored with verbal insults made by presiding judge enrile against the gallant Tupaz & Co.

    Instead, it generated symphathy and understanding to the inexperienced prosecutors whose noble aim is to prove the moral decadence and unfitness of the chief justice on trial.

    The chair could have ruled in more subtle and diplomatic ways than to expose the prosecutors, and ther witness as well, to public humiliation.

    “I would rather lose in a cause that I know some day will triumph than to truimph in a cause that I know some day will fail.” – Wendell L. Willkie

  5. Enrile disallows testimony of PAL VP re tremendous personal benefits provided by PAL to Corona. (just as he disallowed presentation of evidence on Corona’s acceptance of a huge – 10M pesos – discount from Megaworld re purchase of 303 sqm Belagio I penthouse with 3 parking slots).

    Now I realize where all the “in the spirit of liberality” gestures by IC Presiding Officer Enrile are really coming from.

    At the end of the day, he will have his cake and eat it too.

  7. Another thing that puzzles me…. PSB said I think two days ago or three days ago when questions by JPEnrile for the first time about how they have secured the document of CJ Corona, he said that first time that upon receipt from Katipunan branch of said docs, he immediately instructed his subordinate to keep it in a vault with double authentication process.

    Now, yesterday he added something new, he said that he kept the docs at his personal “cabinet” under lock and key for a few days to secure the docs since he’s the only one who has access to it, then after it was subpoenaed he said he instructed his subordinate to keep it in a vault with the 2-way authentication process.

    Just a thought to ponder on his statement….

  8. Can a ‘very haggard’ looking Lady help in R Corona’s removal from SC?


    “During your first day of testimony, you always laughed and you were so beautiful. But now, you look very haggard. I hope you will immediately answer. Just one question. Were the documents shown to you by Congressman (Reynaldo) Umali fake or not?”     Sen. Lito Lapid asked.

    Source: ‘Trial takes toll on bank manager’, Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star)
    Updated February 21, 2012 12:00 AM

  9. @maribeth
    Spot on. Your BSP experience elucidated the PEP markings on card, that possibly a NEW SET of cards were made after the audit, supporting one of theories speculated. Possibly too bank was source of leak to derail prosecution in connivance with Defense. Prosecution card is copy of an earlier set before the audit.

    Enrile asked Garcia last week to bring original. he did not follow order. WHY?

    Prosecution has to insist that Garcia brings original to prove the bank made a new set and that by itself is tampering of records or obstruction of justice. If new set of cards were could be proven by ink and paper forensics or fingerprints in the original.

    After comparing the documents that would be the time speculation on source should be determined.

  10. Alam kaya ng defense panel kung magkano talaga ang pera ni Renato Corona na nakatago sa banko or hinihiritan din sila ng “IN DUE TIME” ni Renato?

    Baka nagkakagulatan sila hanggang ngayon.

  11. Ms. Raisa, I just want to give some comments on the Annex A docs submitted by the Prosecution. I was a BSP examiner once, almost 20 years ago and I am now working in a company under the supervision of the BSP so I am more or less aware of the procedures involved in a BSP audit.

    The PSB president stated that one of the audit findings of the Amlac examiner is that the signature card of CJ Corona was not marked PEP as required by the AMLA. I am almost sure that after the audit which is in November 2010, the bank marked the original signature card with PEP in compliance with the finding, otherwise they will be charged in the next audit with non-compliance of previous findings. I find it therefore strange that the bank president said that the original docs currently in their possession have no PEP markings. Unless a new set was made? Just asking.

    Another thing, the AMLAC audit is not an investigation, it is just an audit to check if the bank is complying with the reportorial requirements of the AMLA, no more no less. There is no investigation as to whether the fund is ill gotten or what because that requires a court order.

    I would just like to share my view because it seems that the senate impeachment panel is being waylaid, or waylaying themselves, to prepare for the striking out of the evidences on the bank accounts.

    • I think after the audit the bank put in a new signature card with PEP marked on it that is why the Annex A signature card has PEP on it while the bank orig copy has no PEP on it. It is also why i think Sen. Koko asked if there is a new signature card

      • there are 2 original documents. it might be possible that Annex A is from the other original doc and not the one presented in the court by the PSB…??? they could have also recreated the docs….

  12. truth_seeker1961 says:
    February 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    Reversal of roles? Yes. Before: the president was the accused. Now: The president is the accuser.

    WRONG!

    Walang “reversal of roles” sa paniniwala at sa panloloko mo.

    Sa lahat ng impeachment cases na nagdaan nananaig ang kagustuhan at kamalayan ng sambayanan…

    Maraming sumuporta sa impeachment ni Erap.

    Maraming hindi sumuporta sa impeachment ni Hilario Davide.

    Marami ring sumuporta sa impeachment ni Merceditas Gutierrez.

    Mulat ang taumbayan. Kung ano ang hinihingi ng kasalukuyang pagkakataon ang siyang paiiralin.

    Uusigin ang ‘di karapat-dapat sa poder…pananatiliin naman sa puwesto ang minamahal pa at pinaniniwalaang tapat.

    • @truthsicker
      Correct, baycas! See truthsicker, this is how you think. Okay na? Malinaw na sa yo sana kasi
      pag pinapareho mo na hindi mo iniisip, lolokohin na mga taong may masamang balak.

      salamat baycas!.

  13. PERSPECTIVE :IMPEACHMENT PLAYERS EXPECTATIONS AND REALITY CHECKS:
    FOUR PERSONALITIES: CORONA, JIMENO, AND TUPAS/FARINAS

    As the impeachment drama proceeds, would the players be aware that they are building a reputation through their actions. It’s interesting how one’s beliefs and values are reflected in one’s actions. The actions shown in public TV/internet will be hard to dispute in the future. Ginawa mo -ganon ka. The impeachment drama could be an opportunity for the players to show the best in their character which defines one’s destiny. So far here is what we have seen:

    1. CHIEF JUSTICE CORONA:
    EXPECTATIONS: As he initially publicly claimed, and as the highest officer of the Supreme Court , true to the traditions of great jurists Arellano, Concepcion and Teehankee, he was expected to be forthright, sober and let his records speak in exhibiting his innocence by fully cooperating with the Impeachment Court. In the tradition of the said honorable jurists of the past, he was expected to take a leave to free the institution from being affected in its functions while he prepare his defence. He was expected to be the utmost Jurist gentleman with great insight.
    REALITY CHECK: He didn’t take a leave, his counsel kept on objecting in the introduction of evidence in trial and worst he wanted to stop the proceedings by filing a petition to stop proceedings in his own office which he heads. He then accused the Impeachment Court of being capable of being bribed. He publicly engage in verbal wars with the President “ala artista ng pelikulang tagalog”, using gutter language in the process. While not taking a leave he aroused Supreme court employee to rally for him.

    2. CORONA DEFENSE TEAM: ATTY JIMENO
    EXPECTATIONS: as the youngest member of the team , a faculty of UPLAw, and a recent Harvard Graduate, who signed a petition against Corona’s midnight appointment her presence was expected to put a sobering and moral factor in the defence team like allowing full cooperation for the Court in the common search for truth.
    REALITY CHECK: She chose to join those who justify the non disclosure and confrontational approach of the team and lend her presence in the now infamous “100 million Bribe Try” accusation vs the Impeachment Court /Executive without showing any proof. This major event led the public to wonder if Mr. Corona’ and his team had any defense at all on Mr. Corona’s incredible wealth of close to a a hundred million pesos in a yearly salary of half a million pesos (600K pesos). To be young and with promising prospects, is this path worth it?.

    3. NIEL TUPAS,RUDY FARINAS
    EXPECTATIONS: As congressmen, they were lumped among the trapos. Physically unimpressive, Tupas looks more like a fresh college graduate than a congressman heading the Impeachment committee. Farinas was dismissed as an ex governor of Ilocos. Many thought their team wont be able to get votes necessary to impeach Corona. If Impeachment happens, many believed they could not last an hour with legal luminaries nor even show the hint of a dent in Corona’s armor of purity and clean image.
    REALITY CHECK: What was apparent from Tupas, Farinas and team was the honesty and at some moment, hopelessness in their presentation especially with the continuing daily ritual of facing ridicules from Senator Judges especially Defensor and Defense cuevas. One could sense the great obstacles they were facing. The public, instead of condemning the ineptness of Tupas/Farinas took offence and considered the public ridicule as arrogance and condescending attitude by the Senators/ Defense Counsel. In a rare display of public sympathy never before seen in the history of the House of representatives, a groundswell of public support took shape, with unknown people volunteering information to Tupas and Farinas.The trapo image of Tupas/Farinas and the 188 just evaporated overnight. The more intense the ridicule and threats of legal action against Tupas/Farinas/188, the more public support it generated.leading his team to explode a big dent on Corona’s armor of purity and clean image.

    • excellent analysis.

      i am an ilocan and i am proud of Rudy Farinas
      also with JPE (but was greatly disappointed with the TRO)

      • I am also an Ilocano and a kababayan of Congressman Rodolfo Castro Farinas.. The genuine ilocanos are proud of you.

    • What’s liberating with the internet is you can replay the trial again and again and somehow observe the body language of these players and see how sincere and consistent they were in expressing their position. Joker then and now seem like 2 different persons. His credibility suffers if one is reminded of how he behaved in the last Impeachment. Sen Raul Roco’s piercing observation, clarity of language and sincerity simply came across as very refreshing in contrast with Santiago’s hysterical outbursts. Then and now, Santiago simply disappoints. Senator Enrile didnt make quite an impression in the last Impeachment. This Corona Impeachment could have been his greatest gift to the Filipino people if he voted for Independence from the Supreme Court. He lost his opportunity just as Joker, Defensor, Villar, Recto, Escudero, Pimentel III, Legarda, Honasan, Revilla Jr., Marcos Jr., Sotto III, and Estrada.

      One is given a great moment and is defined by how you respond to it.

  14. One thing that seems to be forgotten in the discussions about the admissability of the bank documents in the ongoing impeachment trial of CJ Renato Corona is that we already have a historical precedent during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada that it is the sovereign will of the people that the evidence submitted in an impeachment trial shall be fair, truthful, and detached from legal technicalities. The rights of the people to know the truth in an impeachment trial is sovereign and transcends the individual rights of a person. The refusal of the defense counsel to open the second envelope under the shield of legal technicalities was seen as a blatant attempt to circumvent the will of the people; it unleashed the people’s anger that culminated in People Power II.

    The Supreme Court, in administering the presidential oath of then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as President, in effect, affirmed that the rights of the people to know the truth cannot be circumvented by legal technicalities.

    In fact then Chief Justice Davide went as far as changed the wording of the original draft of the presidential oath for Arroyo from “Acting President” to “President” thereby effectively closing the door for Estrada to legally reclaim the Presidency based on Estrada’s legal argument that his impeachment trial has not yet come to a conclusion.

    • if i remember it right, the second envelop was eventually opened and it contained what? (will somebody please tell me what the 2nd envelop contains). now, this will of the people, whos is the “people?” here. People Power II proved to be a dud because the Erap impeachment trial was misused by some elements to install GMA, and look what we got.
      my take is that the rule of Law should not be superseded by what most call “will of the people?”. there are rules and Law and all must abide by it, specially in the ongoing impeachment trial of CJ Corona

      • You missed the whole point.

        The point is that the rights of the people to know the truth, under Article XI of the Constitution, cannot be circumvented by legal technicalities. And the rights of the people transcends the rights of an individual person.

        And since we are on the subject of constitutional rights, let me add this:

        The accused in an impeachment proceedings have specific rights guaranteed by the Constitution under Article XI. While an impeachment proceedings is ongoing the accused cannot invoke his rights to Article III.

        Article III and Article XI provide rights that are separate, distinct, and are sometimes contradictory that is why they cannot be invoked at the same time.They address different principles of law.

        Under Section XI a person has the right not to be accused more than once in a period of one year, he has the right to a 3/4 majority vote for a guilty verdict to be declared, and he has the right not to be levied a fine or imprisonment in a guity verdict.

        In our traditional justice system, pursuant to Article III, a person can be accused as many times as it is necesary, he can be judged guilty by a simple majority vote, and he can be levied a fine or imprisonment when found guilty.

        • this is an impeachment trial, a trial without even a punishment to be meted to the accused, if found to be guilty merely a removal from office . How can this highly experience master of our laws can use all the technicalities just to circumvent the law.All we need is the truth, nothing but the truth and always but the truth . I believe the trial has to be ended soon, no need to go on, only one article of the impeachment is needed to remove CJ Corona, and the SALN is clear .CJ violated and did not disclosed the real truth of his SALN. tapos…

      • Regarding the admissibility of the bank account records:

        1. IF leakage from a private person (whether a bank employee or a person inside Corona’s camp or whoever) – ADMISSIBLE under People vs. Marti.

        In the case of People v. Marti (193 SCRA 57; 1991), it was held that if a search is made at the behest or initiative of the proprietor of a private establishment for its own and private purposes and without the intervention of police authorities, the right against unreasonable searches and seizures cannot be invoked.

        2. IF leakage came from a government agency like BSP – ADMISSIBLE under Estrada vs. Sandiganyan [G.R. Nos. 157294-95 November 30, 2006] (thanks to Baycas for the lead):

        “Petitioner’s attempt to make the exclusionary rule applicable to the instant case fails. R.A. 1405, it bears noting, nowhere provides that an unlawful examination of bank accounts shall render the evidence obtained therefrom inadmissible in evidence. Section 5 of R.A. 1405 only states that “[a]ny violation of this law will subject the offender upon conviction, to an imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine of not more than twenty thousand pesos or both, in the discretion of the court.”

        • The fundamental issue at hand is whether the strict rules on evidence in criminal proceedings shall be used in an impeachment process that is more akin to an administrative proceeding.

          The answer should be NO. The impeachment process should not have any semblance, or color, of a criminal proceeding – otherwise in the event of a guilty verdict the accused can no longer be prosecuted for his crime as it will violate the principle of double jeopardy.

  15. What is the reason for joker arroyo’s turncoating? The answer lies in what he had accumulated when he worked for gloria arroyo and what he had lost ( positions, monies and perks attached to certain positions). As he is now a steadfast critic of the prosecutors, is he now revealing (in silence) his utmost loyalty to gloria arroyo.It means Corona’s success against his impeachment trial is also gloria arroyo’s success. Enrile. joker arroyo and other senators/ senator judges have their own agenda in wanting / not wanting corona to win. At the very bottom of this agenda, in the very small print is public interest / common tao. At the next election, the common tao should not vote these senators / senator judges who betray the public trust. Its high time to let these politicians know how badly they are treating us and that we will curtail this bad treatment. The voice of the masa should prevail.

    • Your writing was just sobering . I wish you could say that in plain Tagalog para makuha ng ibang pinoy sa mga provinces where majority of pinoys are. I guess the Congressmen can help us here. The 188 can really help us spread the message we have here especially what you wrote. Tama ka at the bottom of most Senators agenda is the common tao in small print. Continue to air your views, you just have a great way of stating it as most writers here who have been bitten by the “raissavirus”. to you and our CPM mangkukulam-Johnny lin, baycas, balthazar and other amazing raissaviral agents, mabuhay kayo!

      PS :
      I wont call you Letlet, you’re not small, to me as with the rest of the raissaviral agents here, you have a big heart and a great vision for a better Philippines. you are Bigbig!
      cheers..

    • @letlet,

      It is our traditional traits that we owe loyalty to our benefactor, I feel sorry for the old man, he’s just like the old man Arturo Tolentino, the vp of Marcos who won’t step down when the marcos was toppled by peoples power insisting that he was duly elected by the people.