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A curious set of transactions surround McKinley Hill purchase for Charina

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Analysis

By Raïssa Robles

McKinley-Hill-photo-smallMcKinley Hill in The Fort looks like a slice of California.

It is therefore understandable that someone like Charina Corona, who has lived for nearly a decade in the United States, would want a unit here.

In fact she holds the title to one of the units. How Charina came to hold the title is quite interesting.

Charina gave CJ Corona an SPA to purchase McKinley

I’m going to be basing my observations on the actual testimonies given so far in the impeachment trial of Charina’s father, Chief Justice Renato Corona.

First, to prove that Charina owned McKinley, defense lawyers presented Atty. Perlita V. Ele, the Clerk of Court of the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City on March 21,2012. Ele bared for the first time that on March 16, 2007, Charina had executed a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and Declaration of Trust to her parents, Renato and Cristina to transact on her behalf.

Here is a portion of her testimony:

Defense lawyer Dennis Manalo: Your Honor, it is our theory that the property is in the name of Ma. Charina Corona and that the Chief Justice made the payments in trust for Ma. Charina Corona by virtue of the special power of attorney executed in his favor by the principal.

Presiding Officer Juan Ponce Enrile: All right, proceed. What year is that Notarial Register?

Ele: 2007, Sir.

Enrile: 2007.

Ele: Yes, Sir.

Enrile: The date of the inscription of the document.

Ele: What do you mean, Sir, date? The Declaration of Trust, March 16, 2007. The Special Power of Attorney, March 16, 2007.

Enrile: Both March 16.

Ele: Yes, Your Honor.

Enrile: All right.

But the SPA came after downpayments

However, previous to Ele’s testimony, a witness for the prosecution earlier testified that Charina’s parents had started paying for the McKinley property nearly a year before Charina had signed the SPA and the Declaration of Trust.

Giovanni Ng of Megaworld testified on January 30, 2012 that the “request for reservation and an offer to purchase” a McKinley lot came from Charina’s mother, Cristina.

Ng also said the buyer information sheet listed Renato and Cristina Corona as the buyer.

In fact, all 27 official receipts (O.R.s) issued by Megaworld for the purchase of Mckinley were issued in the name of Renato and Cristina Corona, Ng said.

He said the couple had given an initial downpayment of P200,000 on July 3, 2006. Note that this was eight months before Charina had issued her parents an SPA. The next payment of P494,016.40O. was made on August 8, 2006 – or seven months before Charina had issued them an SPA.

And all receipts for the purchase were issued to Charina’s parents

Ng of Megaworld said that from September 2006 to August 2008, payments of P57,834.70 each were made and O.R.’s were issued all in the name of Renato and Cristina Corona. Finally, on August 29, 2008, the unit was considered fully paid when the Corona couple shelled out P4,858,114.80 and obtained a receipt for that amount.

All throughout this financial transaction spanning two years and 27 O.R.s, Megaworld was never told in writing by the Corona couple that they were merely acting on behalf of their married 29-year-old daughter.

Finally, in the month of September, a letter dated September 8, 2008 came from the Chief Justice and his wife informing Megaworld that it was their daughter who had made all the payments for the lot; and therefore, the title to the property should be issued in her name.

Upon receipt of this, Ng said Megaworld executed a Deed of Assignment in favor of Charina on October 3, 2008.

McKinley Hill: A Slice of California

To bolster their assertion that Charina was the owner, the defense also presented on March 15, 2012 Roberto Villaluz, officer-in-charge of the Taguig City assessor’s office. He presented the original copy of the tax declaration with TCT No. 2093-P, Tax Declaration No. GL-019-01137, registered in the name of Ma. Charina R. Corona.

Charina described as “single” in the tax declaration

Defense lawyer Dennis Manalo told the impeachment court:

And we request that the name of the registered owner appearing in the document as a “Maria Charina R. Corona, of legal age, Filipino, single,” be encircled and marked as our Exhibit “158-A”—ah, “159-AI”.

Enrile: Mark it accordingly.

Charina was married when she purchased McKinley

Notice that the tax declaration for McKinley stated that Charina was “single” when in fact she was already married at that time.

How do we know this?

We know this because it was around the same time that Charina had also bought a unit in Roseville in Placer County, California. At that time, her husband Carlos Salgado had executed an “Interspousal Transfer Grant Deed” granting the Roseville unit to “Maria Charina Corona, a married woman as her sole and separate property.”

I asked University law professor Rowena Daroy-Morales what it meant legally for Charina to be identified as “single” in the tax declaration for the McKinley property.

Prof. Morales, who teaches law and family relations, replied:

Maybe it was overlooked. It doesn’t matter. Ownership is not dependent on whether or not one is described as single or married, but on when she was married and when the property was acquired.

Still, I found it interesting that only her name appears in the two pieces of properties she has acquired during her marriage.

I asked Prof. Morales whether she found it curious that Charina had issued the SPA to her parents eight months after her parents had started paying for the property. In addition, all receipts were issued by Megaworld in her parent’s names and Megaworld was not made aware during the entire payment period that it was actually Charina’s.

It was only after the lot was fully paid that Megaworld was told it was hers and that the daughter had paid for everything.

Professor Morales said that my observation was “very valid.”

She wondered:

Was there ever a copy of the Contract to Sell from the vendor (Megaworld) to the vendee? I don’t recall a contract to sell was ever shown (during the trial). She said the contract should state who the actual buyer was.

Why do you have to tell Megaworld that, ah – by the way, the money I paid you belongs to my daughter.

Three days ago, I wrote that Charina had bought her California and The Fort properties 22 days of each other.

I was wrong.

The two transactions were more like 11 days apart. Let me explain.

I based my calculation of 22 days on the January 26, 2012 testimony of Bureau of Internal Revenue Chief Kim Henares who told the Impeachment Court that Charina was able to buy a McKinley property on October 2, 2008 even if she had not filed any ITR (Income Tax Return) “to date.”

I should have based my calculation on the January 31, 2012 testimony of Ng from Megaworld. He said the lot was finally paid in full by Renato and Cristina Corona on August 29, 2008 upon their payment of P4.8 million.

Notice that on September 9, 2008 – or 11 days after the payment of P4.8 million to Megaworld – Charina also bought the Roseville unit in California and paid a down payment of US$24,356 (P1 million).

This means that following the line of the defense that Charina paid for both properties, she had to shell out a total of P5.8 million in cold cash for both properties within a span of 11 days – and not 22 days as I had earlier reported.

Prof. Morales said that the question that has to be asked is this:

Is this (behavior) consistent of human nature with regular means? Where a person involved is a Mr. (George) Soros, it is. They don’t care about money.

She also thought it was curious that Megaworld had to execute a Deed of Assignment:

It’s transferring the ownership from yourself to another. (But) you can’t give away something you don’t own. And if the Chief Justice was donating to Charina the property, where did the money come from?

In the end, only the Chief Justice and/or his daughter can explain the transaction.

Comments

  1. Latest News Philippine Star: Pacquiao joining Binay’s PDP-Laban party. According to report he will run for Governor of Saranggani under PDP.

    In the last 2 years, Pacquiao has been with GMA Kampi- Lakas, Villar Nacionalista Party, Aquino Liberal party and now Binay PDP party. Binay is now becoming the “street sweeper” gathering in his bin all dirty and opportunistic politicians. Who is next?

    Saranggani province probably has the most uninformed electorates in the Philippines if they vote for Pacquiao as their governor?

    Pacquiao action must be his interpretation of quoting the Bible “go forth and multiply”.

    He thinks by jumping to different parties he is multiplying his knowledge and power based on his latest biblical study, he he he.

        • @Elena Lemi

          Pacquiao wants to imitate some Senator-Judges who become successful who did the GRASSHOPPER DANCE (a dance craze that started a long time ago)

        • ‘wag na lang siyang pumasok sa pulitika! public servant kuno!! magboksing na lang sya o kaya mag showbiz! ‘wag na nating dagdagan ang mga walang alam…..’no ka!!..LOL..;

        • Manny may start to dance the elephant walk, a slow and jumping dance , he can jump ,but not that far, he is too heavy now with his money, he can buy everything, he does need the political party to fund his candidacy, in fact it will be the party that even may need him to fund the party. the only thing that Manny may self destruct are the people (crocs) that surrounds him, the women, gambling, and political adviser ,using Manny for their self- interest. A word of advise, Manny keep out of politics, it will never serve you, better do it in your own way, think it over Manny…

        • @kontrapilo Before, traditional politicians were called turncoats but because of “principles”. Later they were called political butterflies for the same reason, to change parties where nectar is sweeter.

          In the case of Pacquiao, he is likened to a political grasshopper, leaping from one party to another so quickly just like a grasshopper. He started his political career in the 2007 elections as candidate of the Liberal Party for congressman of South Cotabato 1st district but lost to incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custudio. In 2008 he was sworn in as member of GMA’s KAMPI, joined the Nationalista Party in 2009 and won as congressman of Saranggani in 2010. After assumption he joined the Liberal Party “to ensure the entry of more projects to his province.

          As of this writing Pacquiao is to take his oath as member of the PDP-Laban in his bid for governorship of Saranggani in 2013.

          Pacquiao also heads the People’s Champ Movement, a regional political party in General Santos and Saranggani.

          Ay abaruray, abarinding, in the span of six years he has already joined four national parties and one regional party.

        • @duquemarino

          He got a very good mentor. He is Atienza forma Mla. mayor. Huwag ka nang magtaka dyan.

        • naaliw naman ako sa abaruray, abarinding… naririnig ko yan dati sa lola ko… hahaha

        • @Elena Lemi It’s a Filipino folk song that goes this way, often sang in merry-making during a drinking spree:
          ABARURAY
          Abaruray, Abarinding
          Isauli mo ang singsing.
          At kung hindi mo isasauli—
          Magagalit ang may­ari.

        • Atienza on a witness stand was a total BLUNDER for the defense,, it was a garbage, atienza even open a case against him, I know the mayor now is blaming himself why he entered into that situation,,, This is my observation, Cuevas is not that good as we think he is, during the cross examination, he has shown his Achilles hill. Better Mr Cuevas its time to quit, it is a NO WIN SITUATION, in chess , RESIGN

        • When you have reached the twilight zone of your manhood, when you have everything in life as a successful person, when all the members of your family is all settled down , TEN MILLION PESOS, is not a figure you have to be concern anymore. IT IS THE NAME , PRESTIGE and HONOR that we must all take into considerations which you will be leaving to your family. I believe what makes cuevas stays as lead defense is also the word he have sworn to corona,, but he must think it more on the morality of the case, he can return the money and say goodbye, mr corona you lied, i can no longer stomach the evidences that are presented. bye sir,, good luck

        • Nobody seems to notice, ARE WE GOING BACK TO A DYNASTY FORM OF GOVERNMENT
          where a KING passes the throne to his wife, then to his young son to rule their subjects forever and ever , AMEN…. think it over men….

        • @kontrapilo

          Matagal na ang Pinas under “dynasty form of government”. Dinaig pa natin ang China noon panahon ni “Tong Dynasty”

        • DYNASTY can not be consider as a strong and effective form of government, these are the government when people are helpless,unlearned, they are called SUBJECTS by their ruler, there is no FREEDOM, a citizen can not make his/her choice, precisely this form of government is diminishing, people revolted , no freedom.. LoOk at the Europeans where these form of government originated, can you still count if there are still that exist. Democratic is still better, only here in our country we have a DEMOCRAZY GOVERNMENT; TO BUY THE PEOPLE; TO FOOL THE PEOPLE

        • After jumping from one party to another, Pacquiao has yet to join one other group- the Lapiang Malaya of Valentin delos Santos.

        • Sir,
          With Manny’s wealth, he can do everything he wants, he can jump from one party to any party (political) he wishes, do you think an ordinary politician will have that chance or opportunity to be accepted by a political party? MANNY IS MONEY TO POLITICS, so there is no question why Manny can be a GRASSHOPPER as what you may think..Poor Manny he is being used… Ang problema sa ngayon, mukhang iba na naman ang pumasok sa utak ni Mannny, naka usap nya daw ang PANGINOON, ano kaya/?

        • @kontrapilo hahaha what do u expect over the years na nasuntok ang ulo nya nakalog ang utak kaya akala nakita nya at nakausap ang Panginoon. Manny wants to do everything from being a boxer to politician, entertainer, actor, and now hinting to become a preacher. Who knows later on what he wants to do next? He is better off concentrating on being a boxer. You are absolutely right politicians are just using him like Atienza and Singson.

        • Baka po meron pa dyan na mga fans ni pakyaw, ples naman tell him sana mag hunos dili ka naman Pakyaw, wag mo basta basta gamitin ang Diyos sa mga hallucination mo,,, to serve God is not having a compromise , it must be a total surrender, no less , no more… yes we believe you as a boxer, but not as a messenger of the word of God, according to the Bible.

          Nauutakan ka lang Manny ng mga nasa paligid u,,, maraming RIDER po kami…

        • Pakyaw, does not need to be a GRASSHOPPER, with Manny status it is the political party that needs him, Manny has the money, fame and glory,, that is what Manny should know, these old and corrupt politician are the evils of Manny’s future, They want MANNY, to be hook, to enter deeper into the gates of HELL. Look at the trap they set in for Manny, i admire the people of Gensan, they did not allow Manny to win in that election, I think they are the most educated electorate in our country. They knew Manny is not for that position. But look what happened, those handlers of Manny got their wish, they look for other place where Manny had the chance to win, SARANGANI,, poor Manny, he had already entered into a place of no return, YOU CAN CHECK IN ANYTIME , BUT YOU CAN’T NEVER LEAVE.

        • @kontrapilo

          He ought to know with his 1st lost to Darlene Custodio but he still continues to listen to the ill advise that he got. Then who is to blame? Isn’t it it is his own doings? Then my thought is what is his real agenda? Or is it from the others who wants to bank on his popularity?

          My 2 cent thought is he is to blame. He agreed with the advises that he got then so be it.

        • Madam, I have nothing personal with anybody, just want to show how bobo are the defense of the accused,, I believe those who stays are much guilty, with his appointment, eality comes easy..

        • @elena lemi

          Huwag ka ngang mag aksaya ng oras kay Pacman. Isa rin siyang corrupt na politiko. Sayang lang ang binabayad sa kanya bilang isang kongresista. Binabayaran siya para mag ensayo ng pag bo-boxing. Ginugulangan pa ang gobyerno sa pagbabayad ng buwis. Anong klaseng tao iyan? Gusto pang maging presidente. Hesus Maria. Nakakakilabot pag naging presidente ito.

        • @JiroArturo

          Kaya nga di ako naniniwala sa kanya. If he loves our country why don’t he fight here in the Philippines para kumita naman tayo. May tinatago siya kaya ayaw niya dito lumaban.
          At sa pagiging preacher kuno di ako bilib dyan. Pakitang tao lang dahil election na next year kaya need niya ng good image. Yon hotel niya sa boracay dapat gibain. Deny pa siya na sa kanya yon eh obvious naman. Bumili ng yatch para mapasyalan niya yon hotel niya doon.

        • @elena lemi

          Babaero yan. Hindi na yan magbabago. Nakausap kono si God. Pati ang dios sinasama sa kabalastugan ni Pacman. Tama ka, kakandidato bilang governor kaya magpapakitang magaling ang image niya. Ambisyon pa nito maging senador then presidente. Posibleng manalo dahil maraming perang ipapamudmod. Kaya gusto munang maging gobernador para makapagnakaw ng malaki at yon ang gagamitin pang suhol sa mga botante.

        • Pacman is a very good example of a man from RUGS to RICHES,, lucky for him he was given a gift that perhaps can not be equaled in our times.. We can’t blame Pacman, if he is now in an overdosed of vices, he feels he can do everything money can buy, and there are these people who rides on his popularity, the best example are the MEDIA PEOPLE, how can you imagine a mother who had nothing can be manipulated by media and made her instantly a super mama …just the same with Pacman,, he was made to sing that only his mother can appreciate.. because of his money , his handlers even suggested to run as congressman, so Manny can have the best alibi from his wife Jinky for an escapade here in Manila.Poor Pacman, he has now entered into the gates of Hell..he can never leave…And now another political strategy of his handlers are on the making,, i just hope Pacman may open his eyes hear no more from his evil thinking handlers. I predict Pacman will LOST his fight …I have seen a SIGN,,,then pacman will retire and start a new era of his ambition to be a messenger of the word of God..hopefully he knows how to determine the real and true God of the bible, and not the god of men that are inventions for self interest .

        • @kontrapilo

          I am of the same opinion as yours. Just don’t want to say it but since you started it then join ako dyan. I told my son a week ago that Pacman will lose this fight against Bradley. I will even pray to that para mauntog ang ulo niya. Baka magising pa!

        • That becomes the two of us, well anyway that is only my personal observation, a sort of a SIGN, there is always an end to everything, and i believe this the sign pacman must try to reconsider, one of the SIGN, that actually happened was when LOLONG the biggest croc was captured,, the biggest and most corrupt public officials starting with GMA are now facing their destiny ..PACMAN is line to the SIGN..

      • I am afraid you got it all wrong by calling Manny a GRASSHOPPER, or a BUTTERFLY, a politician who changes color where his interest are best applied. These are done by seasoned politician and sometimes neophytes that have no money yet to finance their own campaign, they need to change party because of party funding, a political party is of course very important for a politician in order to have an equal chance of winning, an independent have no personality in the comelec, he has no copy of election returns , to have it he must hire watchers to watch his votes if they are counted in every precinct. But for MANNY I believe he can afford it, and it is the party that needs Manny, poor Manny he will be used by these people and if the same thing happens from his first outing where he lost,, Poor Manny , he will lost all his money…MONEY, MONEY MONEY, it’s a rich man’s game….ahaaaaaa,,,hahhahahha

    • I am still wondering if he can really read and fully understand the bible. Bible is not an easy reading material like comics. On the otherhand, I don’t think that a former “batang langsangan” like pacman can be easily reform. Sugarol, Lasenggero at babaero ang real trademark niya. Tingnan ninyo ang balbas at bigote ni pacman…. ganyan ba ang ayos ng isang honorable congressman at Lt. Koronel?

  2. Latest News Philippine Inquirer: Maceda says Corona acquittal will bolster the ptesidential candidacy of Binay. He cited Doronila column that Corona conviction will affirm the power of PNoy.

    Maceda is exerting psychological warfare to those senators who recently alignred with Binay’s UNA group. Undermining their intelligence that if senators would let Binay down they would go down with him by voting conviction.

    Maceda did the people a favor by revealing the true sentiment of Binay with the impeachment case. Maceda along with Tatad had been acting the quasi spokesmen of Binay since last year. Thru Maceda, Binay is sending the message to acquit Corona.

    Filipino people, accept the challenge of Maceda and Binay. Let Corona impeachmemt be the battleground for Aquino and Binay. They are pressuring the senators to acquit Corona thereby confirming the power of Binay.

    This is a chance to show our support to clean and good government. Convince the senators
    that the people have the sovereign power in the land to keep or kick out those senators in office. Write or text or phone their offices to convict Corona; their telephones and addresses are posted below in a separate posting #333.

    • @ Johnny lin I have a mixed emotion on what you are suggesting for us to do to text phone or email the Senators to vote CONVICT.
      Is this what we really want? We are sort of telling them how to do their job. It is a human nature that the more you bug them the more they will do the opposite. . We certainly don’t want to be labelled as MAKULET.
      They are pressured as it is already and they don’t want anymore pressure that may jeopardize the outcome of the Impeachment. They have all the information needed like the journal of the Impeachment trials and other relevant evidences as presented by both Panel for them to come up with a verdict.
      You have to remember that almost 80% CONVICTION is the verdict, so if they decided to vote the opposite, then they have to face a consequences to their actions.
      I suggest that we focus on what we have been doing to comment and analyze information dig up by Raissa and hopefully Prosecution can use it as an additional evidences to their rebuttal.
      Being quiet sometime is the best policy and let them vote with conscience.

    • @Johnny lin Does height have something to do with good or bad governance? Ferdinand Marcos was shorter than Imelda who is 5’6″, GMA is 4’11”, and now Binay at 5’2″, just asking he he he!!!!!

    • I can’t believe how naive Pnoy can be. He lets Binay get the best of both worlds, as he gets to work in his cabinet and at the same time work with the opposition and known critics of his administration, whose only goal is undermine all his efforts at reforms.

      Binay was given the cabinet position in charge of housing and OFW concerns- a position better handled by a professional manager instead of a politician. With it comes all the publicity, funding and perks of the position. It is for this reason that he gets a very high acceptability rating, better than Pnoy himself. Come election time and Binay will be supporting the likes of Tatad, Maceda, Magsaysay and a host of other harsh critics of the administration.

      I really can’t believe this. What say you, Mar Roxas?

      • Binay is a political party adversary of P’noy, but not necessarily a personal foe .With P’noy it is just work, and accomplishment ,whether you belong to the other side of the wall, nothing personal for P’noy, the big problem is, there is a political party involve in this situation, and with the present manifestation of Binay, as early as this, trying to build a machinery for a big fight comes 2016, P’noy may be in the disadvantage position. He should also look first for the welfare of his party mates and should do something to strengthen his political party to offset whatever advantage Binay may generate.As observe Binay is trying to consolidate some of the politician that belongs to GMA , and try to imagine what will happen if these politician will take the power again, what will happen to the TUWID NA DAAN… business as usual…

    • Sorry, Tito.

      I removed your link to Facebook because a warning on FB came out that it leads somewhere else. NOt in FB. Pls just send link to original newspaper article, not FB.

    • @pedro: wala ng bago sa balitang ito!! ayaw lang aminin ni corona na ang taong bayan na ang nagsasalita na umalis sa dyan!! ang tawag dito sa kanya ay “KAPIT TUKO”.

      • When you are in a situations where you believe you have lost everything, what do you think you will do ? Of course you have to gamble, you have take every opportunities you can think of, even gambling your soul with the devil,,, and that is the TJ..he knows that he is in a NO WIN SITUATIONS, assuming he will be acquitted , what face he would face to the people?And that is the most difficult problem to FACE, when the problem itself is his FACE..
        TJ is presently survive because of TECHNICALITY, his lawyers are digging all in earth they have learned in law , the right approach to solve TJ problems,, this lawyers will be judged by the people not by their technicalities but the moral values they showed to the Filipino people by depending a liar, and a corrupt public officials,,Atty Jemino, you are young and talented, WHY? You even questioned the Midnight appointment of your clients, Is it because of MONEY?

  5. The Special Power of Attorney (SPA) and Declaration of Trust (DOT) were purportedly executed by Charina in favor of Corona on March 16, 2007.  Why not in July 2006 when Charina, through her purported Attorney-in-Fact Corona, started paying  Megaworld for the Mckinley lot?

    Facts:

    Since January 2012, Corona and his defense team have been pronouncing that Charina has been working as physical therapist (PT) for less than (why less than, why not about or around) 10 years in the US.

    Charina got her license to work as a physical therapist on December 8, 2006.  So it is true that Charina worked as P T for less than 10 years in January 2012.  In fact it is much less or about 5 years only.  And it is much much less or about 2 years only when she purchased the Roseville property and had the Mckinley lot titled in her name in late 2008.

    In the US (or may be elsewhere) a person cannot work as a physical therapist unless licensed as such.

    Corona paid Megaworld for the McKinley lot on his own behalf from July 2006 to August 2008.

    The SPA and DOT were both dated March 16, 2007.

    In September 2008, Charina paid $25,000.00 as down 
    payment for her Roseville property.

    My theory: 

    Since Charina already had her license to work as a physical therapist (PT) on December 8, 2006, she was able to find a job sometime after 2 months in March 2007 and started to earn money as such.

     Ths means that Charina did not have the money to pay Megaworld from July 2006 to February 2007. 

    So that the fabricated SPA and DOT could not be dated earlier than March 2007 or in July 2006 when Corona started paying Megaworld.  

    Charina began earning as a PT in March 2007, so that in September 2008, she was able to buy the Roseville property through a loan with the help of Corona in paying the $25,000.00 down payment.

    Charina  could not have saved enough money on her own and paid Megaworld about Php900,000.00 from July to November  2006 because she was not yet a licensed physical therapist in the US.  Remember that Corona proudly said that Charina had a lucrative practice as PT, not in any other job or profession.   And she could not have earned also any amount on her own up to February 2007 if she got a job as PT only in March 2007.

    In declaring that Charina has been working as PT for less than 10 years, Corona wanted to impress on us that his daughter had worked for a long time in a purportedly lucrative job.  And Corona wanted the public to believe that Charina had earned and saved enough money to purchase the Mckinley lot for 6M in 2008.

    But our Plaza Miranda found about the actual date of issuance of Charina’s license on December 8, 2006.  Worse, our Plaza Miranda discovered her purchase through a loan of the Roseville property on September 8, 2008 which is 11 days after full payment of the Mckinley lot on August 29, 2008.

    And the worst nightmare of Corona is yet to come if and when our Plaza Miranda ultimately finds that the Roseville property is fully paid already.

    Onward OPM!!

    • @Rene-Ipil

      Is someone searching if Charina’s condo mortgage is fully paid? Can I find that out on the internet? I am 8 hours away from Roseville. I can’t go there to go to Recorder-Registrar office to find out if her condo is fuly paid.
      At Zillow dot com there is a condo for sale with the same address as Charina’s condo. Is she selling it already?

      • @Jiro Arturo

        It could have been easy if the subject property is located and registered in the Philippines. The original certificate of title (CT) can be verified right away for a minimal fee with the register of deeds since it is a public document. The CT contains the annotations on the mortgage agreement as well as the mortgage cancellation upon full payment of the loan.

        I believe it would be easier in the US to verify the status of the mortgage loan annotated on the CT due to absence or minimal”red tape” there.

        • @rene-ipil
          Madali lang makita sa registrar-recorder kung bayad na ang mortgage loan. Malayo lang ako sa Roseville kaya hindi ko mapuntahan. Sino kaya taga Roseville para mag research?

        • Di ba si Nadia Trinidad of abs-cbn galing na sa Roseville. May picture taking pa sya ng bahay at may interview pa kuno ng isang expert. Hindi kaya na- verify na niya sa registrar ng Roseville?

          Veteran news reporter itong si Nadia. Dapat nasa kanya na ang information tungkol Sa mortgage loan ni Charina.

        • would not be surprising anymore if some reporters are also afraid of knowing the truth.

          someone commented somewhere that, via phone call, he/she was told there was no lien indicated. but whether this meant that the property was fully paid or not could not be elicited from that same person.

        • @Rene-Ipil @JiroArturo

          Di rin niya nabanggit na ang John Lang (the seller of Roseville) nag declare ng bankcruptcy in 2006. So her report is selective & not complete.

        • @Elena
          Kung hindi lang ako malayo sa Roseville pinuntahan ko na ang recorder-registrar. Naguguluhan na rin ako. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin alam kung bayad na ba talaga ang bahay ni Charina.
          Sa July-Aug pa ako makakapunta ng Sacramento. By then tapos na ang kaso ni Corona.

        • @JiroArturo

          It’s never too late for anything about the truth! Again I really appreciate what you had done for CPM. Keep it up!

    • You forgot to said that 10% down payment plus closing cost. (maybe about 8.000 dollars).
      And maybe before she got her license, she was working part time in Mc Donald or as a cashier in a supermarket for 8 or 9 dollars per hour.
      Of course is just my personal opinion.
      I just worked 45 years in USA.
      Also from gross payment you have to pay taxes every week (about 25% of your salary).
      How about rent, car insurance, food, etc., etc, and how about children if you have any and you want to work?
      Who take care of them before they can go to a free school?

      • @Elio Madama

        Nasa Pinas ka na ba ngayon? Walang nakakaalam kung magkano talaga ang binayad ni Charina sa condo sa Roseville at kung nabayaran na ng buo ang utang niyang $243K. Wala pang lumalabas na ebidensiya.
        Mayaman naman ang mga Roco. Malay natin na binigyan ng pera ang mga anak ni Cristina pangbili ng condo at lupain sa Pinas. Maghintay na lang tayo kung ano pang rebuttal ang gagawin ng prosecution.

    • NAGKAKALOKOHAN na

      Could she be reported to the IRS for not declaring her properties, parang in the tax form it is required to declare all your assets local and foreign.
      Kung dineclare nya this means she has the money, if she has the money when she could not afford it, then would that not be money laundering?
      If pinautang siya ng magulang, then that money is part of Corona’s money, if that is part of Corona’s money, was it part of Corona’s SALN?
      If not, would that not be another violation of SALN law by corona?

    • Facts:

      Corona paid 6M to Megaworld from July 3, 2006 to August 29, 2008. Out of the 6M, he paid about Php900,000.00 from July To November 2006 or about 1M from July 2006 to February 2007.

      My theory:

      Charina could have secured a job as PT in March 2007 or after 3 months from issuance of her license.

  6. November 29 I will be 70 years old.
    My wish for my birthday is to meet Mr Aquino in person.
    Hello Manila, can my dream come truth?
    Thanks.
    Thanks Mrs. Raissa to give me permission to write in your wonderful blog.

    • To anyone inside the presidential palace, here is a “Wish ko lang” from a 70-year-old man.

      As per his IP address, Elio is based in Zamboanga.

  7. I have one question:
    Who is paying for the defense team expenses?
    Even if they work for “free” (which I doubt it very much), there are a lot of expenses.
    Probably millions of pesos were already spent.
    Many defense lawyers are full time.
    They have no expenses, no family, no obligations?
    No bills to pay, no food to eat?
    No cases in the Supreme Court?
    Please, defense team, teach me how to live without income, without money.

    • @Elio Madama

      Pro bono kono ang mga abogado ni Corona. Pro bono din daw ang sa prosecution. KKB siguro ang bayad sa pagkain at merienda.
      Pero ako hindi ako naniniwala sa mga yan. Meron mga bayad yan. Ang bayaran pagkatapos na ng litis. Patago ang bayaran. Siguro ang kay Cuevas hindi bababa ng P10M.

      • Who is going to pay the ten million?
        Mr. Corona?
        MMMMMM……………..Where is he going to get that kind of money with his salary?
        $$$$$$$$$$ a lot here………..
        I insist in my question, I want to know from the defense team, how they pay for the own personal l expenses right now.
        We are only two people in my house in Dipolog City, we pay no rent, but our monthly budget is 25 thousand pesos.
        High scale people, living in Manila, like the defense team need about 100.000 pesos monthly.
        Right now, month by month, they can not wait for the case to finish.
        Somebody have a big pocket, and paying for all the expenses.
        This is bigger than everybody can think.
        Somebody is paying now, somebody who has open cases in the Supreme Court.n
        Of course this is my personal opinion.
        We need to backup the President of this wonderful country, Mr. Aquino.
        He need to clean up all the basura to bring prosperity and a good future for Philippines.
        Thanks Mr. President to try to make a better Country for all filipinos and foreigners alike living here.

        • @Elio Madama

          Remember the loan that the World Bank gave? It is not yet accounted for. It was supposed to be used to upgrade the system of our judiciary.

    • @Elio Madama

      Possibly, the small lady paid for all the defense’ expenses.
      She financed CJ Corona’s hospital bills when he underwent back operation.
      Maybe she also financed CJ’s heart bypass.

  8. Hi Raissa, simple check on the name of atty Reyes gives following: Résumé

    License

    20 years since Norberto Fidel Reyes III was first licensed to practice law.
    State License status Year acquired Last updated by Avvo
    California Active 1992 02/07/2012

    This lawyer has been disciplined by a state licensing authority.
    State Citation type Year cited Last updated by Avvo
    California Discipline, probation; no actual suspension 2004 02/07/2012
    Education

    School Major Degree Graduated
    Western State Univ COL law

    See his disciplined staus, should be a warning and aside of this more or less the same house is for sale for a rough 160K US$, for what I give you the link below.
    As a former Realtor a price tag of 160KUS$ is the averidge instep level of property (1,000 units in Roseville only). and this cost a roughly 1,000+ US$

  9. Hi Raissa,

    I found out from FloridasHealth.com – license verification, that Charina and Carla do not have physical therapy license in Florida. They do not have a license as physical therapy assistant in Florida either. It appears the only license they have then is in California which they obtained in 2006.

    Did we find out who were the current and previous tenants at Charina’s Roseville property?

    I understand Charina lives in Flintridge, CA, in Los Angeles county about 6 hours from Roseville, CA.

    I am curious why someone who is not a sophisticated real estate investor invest in a property which 6 hours away from where she lives. Even if the property is paid for, the rental from such property will not be enough to finance the cost of living of a family living in Flintridge.

    I think there might be other motivations besides investment if the current or previous tenants have a connection with TJ. –Paging Cyber PMers out there for your input.

    • I never said it was. And you have to connect this with the McKinley property she also allegedly “bought”.

    • Found this somewhere, but not sure.. I could provide the link if needed.. FIL-AMS FYI.

      #9. Passport Suspended For Not Paying Taxes?

      “A bill currently going through the U.S. Congress would allow the federal government to suspend your passport if you have unpaid taxes. If you are not able to pay the taxes that you owe, you could end up stuck in the United States indefinitely.”

    • @jepoy

      Mam raissa is correct .connect it to the property she bought in the Philippines at 11days gap. And check if their is a pre-nuptial agreement before the celebration of marriage, if none and solemnized under philippine law, then they are bound by absolute community of property and VERY UN-COMMUN for a husband waiving his right to said purchased property in U.S.A..

      I am not a lawyer but I was also married in the Philippines under our law. HE HE
      LAWYERS in our group kindly explain profound marriage settlement in our country to jepoy
      My knowledge are limited about this, but on my own opinion the coronas have no trust to charinas husband to whatever criminal purpose the corona family it may serve.

    • whether home is luxurious or not is irrelevant. what is relevant is if she could afford it. how was she able to shell out the money for those two properties at that specific point in time?

      where did the money come from?

      • hey pipol out there in America, is there a way to check it out how much did Charina really earned from the time she applied for work. Can’t it be check thru her income statement and how much TAXES she paid to the American government? CHARINA, could be in danger of TAX EVASION, and could land in jail instead.

        • @kontrapilo

          Alam mo ba kung saan nagtratrabaho si Charina? Alam mo rin ba ang Social Security Number niya? Ako na ang mag volunteer kumuha ng kopya ng income tax return niya for tax year 2010.

        • @JiroArturo, I looked up that form you mentioned (4506-T) and indeed one can secure tax transcripts for a requested period of time. My understanding though is that the information is available to the TAXPAYER, and any third party he or she authorizes to receive it. So Charina would need to fill out the form and either receive the records herself or specifically authorize someone else to receive them. It looks like standard practice is for someone applying for a loan to fill out the form and submit it along with other papers during the application stage, and part of the credit investigation would be to compare the applicant’s claimed income against the history of tax payments.

          A US social security number is very closely guarded as it is one of the key pieces of information by which someone can be identified and traced in most government and private sector records, so it isn’t something that is easily LEGALLY obtained unless the information is volunteered freely by the owner.

          At this point Charina is in a tough situation. Though her father CLAIMS the McKinley Hill lot was purchased by her in trust through him, I don’t think such a claim would go unchallenged by the prosecution in the trial. Documentary evidence of some kind would have to be produced to support that allegation. Everything that’s been discussed here indicates that though Charina has spent some time in the US, and has presumably worked hard to make a living, it would be difficult for her to have somehow saved up the money needed to initiate purchase of both properties within a couple of weeks of each other.

          In the wake of 9/11, the Americans have been pressing hard everywhere to make life very, very difficult for people engaged in money laundering. Having lived in the US for some time now, Charina would know this, and as an immigrant would need to be extra careful to keep her finances and taxes in complete order. My guess is that everything is indeed in order as far as her US transactions are concerned, and that proof that she earned the money to buy both properties is not forthcoming. She would be guilty of no crime in the US – assuming that no documents are presented to prove she truly is the owner of the McKinley Hills property – and it would fall to the CJ to cast about for some other explanation for the purchase.

          That she somehow managed in truth to save that sum of money is not in the realm of the impossible; it seems highly unlikely though. Let’s see how the defense will handle proving it.

        • @ArielD
          Is Charina an immigrant or naturalized US citizen? Form 1040 requires the taxpayer to indicate if he/she owns properties outside US. If he/she has an overseas income it needs to be declared and pay US taxes on it.
          I don’t know how long Charina has been working in USA as a PT. If she came here with just a dress on her body and started working, it is possible that she had saved to buy the condo in Roseville and the Mckinley lot in Pinas. She secured a loan for the condo and paid $10K as downpayment. She could have saved that amount and still buy the lot for P6M cash. Total cash outlay was about $143K.
          Is the defense going to present evidences to prove CJ does not own the McKingley lot? Will the prosecutor present evidences to prove it otherwise in their rebuttal? How? By presenting Charina’s income tax returns or earning statements from her employer?

        • Defense had already presented evidentiary documents to prove that the McKinley property is owned by Charina, although all the payment receipts and another sale document were int he name of the father.

          It is hoped that the prosecution will question the financial capacity of charina in the rebuttal.

        • @JiroArturo
          Just to inform you…the proceeds of the “loan” for the condo that you mentioned was not received by Charina in cash. It was a loan payable in 30 years after putting up a $10K down payment. The total loan was paid off after 2 years, i think..

        • @mynavy
          Meron na bang papeles na nagpapatunay na bayad na ang condo ni Charina sa Roseville? Ang condo niya ay $163K na lang. Lugi si Charina dahil ang bili yata niya ay $269K.

        • @JiroArturo

          Blank ang nakalagay for the lien part. If there is a loan dapat may nakalagay dyan di ba?

        • so far, corona’s camp have been presenting hypothetical figures under ideal conditions only.

          very doubtful that this is not about money laundering. despite the stricter enforcement of this law in the US, my hunch is that the attention is directed mostly towards known terrorists so not everyone will get caught. corona is also an expert in laws so he may know ways to circumvent around it.

        • @maddog

          Of course he knew how to circumvent. He works with SGV for years. He was never a trial lawyer.

  11. Just a side thought, Remember mang Vicente….. I wonder if TF also bought properties and did not transfer the title to his name. Is there a way to find out if such transactions exist.

        • @Elena Lemi

          Another option

          Go to yahoo.com and at the search portion type

          abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/14/12/prosecution-stands
          Enter then, click Prosecution stands by….
          at the bottom click 1
          Look for the topic TO THE PROSECUTION, 5th commenter, maria4

        • @Elena Lemi

          Post ko na lang ang buong comment. Parang istorya-istorya lang ito.

          READ THIS BLOG BY THIS PERSON WITH A NAME CANDYMINT!!!
          I WILL COPY AND BETTER LOOK INTO IT.
          by Candymint on Tue, 02/14/2012 – 03:08
          Liar, liar go to hell Thief Justice Corona. Here you go…

          .

        • Sorry, Jiro.

          Had to cut short your posting because I have never been able to verify this story on CJ Corona and it maligns him. So there is as yet no basis for accusing him of this.

        • Try the comments portion of this article:

          Defense: Corona’s wife may no longer testify

          from a report by Jing Castañeda, ABS-CBN News

          Posted at 03/23/2012 9:12 PM | Updated as of 03/25/2012 10:14 AM

        • @Chavydada

          Thanks! Read it na. It seems the bribe money came from banco filipino that was reopened again by a ruling in the SC.

        • @Elena Lemi

          1. the P200M alleged bribe money?. . . .

          Can it be one of the sources of the P100M undeclared/understated amount of real properties plus the undetermined quantity of dollar deposits of CJ?

          2. 2nd family in the US?. . . .

          I talked to an Atenean, (one who is in the age group of CJ) and he confirmed that CJ has a second family in the US.

        • @Chavydada

          I strongly believe that the 200M might had been transferred out of the PI. Remember he went to the US last Dec according to that comment. One thing that I wonder most is how come our CPMers in the US have not trace anything about the mistress? I mean if there is one.

        • @Elena Lemi
          I read somewhere that CJ has a mistress living in the States. Corona has 2 kids with Eva Auria. What city they are residing I am clueless. I Googled Eva Auria. Nothing came out. The name might be fictitious. If someone from Batangas can verify her exact name and where they live I could do some more research.
          For all we know Eva might not exist at all. Calling OPM members from Batangas to verify Eva’s existence and residence.

        • @JiroArturo

          I surmised that the name is incorrect but the story itself might be true. Best way is to check with immigration when & what exact date did the thief left the country and to which airport in the US did he touched down.
          Anyone who has access with our immigration here? They have all the ins & outs and the manifest. From there, we can dig up further.

    • The article is inconsistency with the school Cristina Corona went to, if it alleges that Eva and Cristina both went to Assumption. Cristina went to Maryknoll (now Mariam).

  13. Here are the contact informations of our senators:

    Senator Juan Ponce Enrile
    Rm. 606 6th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5552 – 53
    Direct Lines: (632) 552-6691 / (63) 552-6786
    Telefax No.: (632) 552-6690
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.jpenrile.com
    Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
    Rm. 602 6th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 2521 – 24
    Direct Lines: (632) 552-6684-85 / 552-6774
    Telefax Nos.: (632) 552-6685
    Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
    website: http://www.senjinggoyestrada.com

    Senator Vicente C. Sotto III
    Rm. 603 6th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 99 loc. 6501-05
    Direct Line:
    Fax No.: (632) 552-6601 loc. 6502
    Website: http://www.titosotto.com

    Senator Alan Peter “Compañero” S. Cayetano
    Rm. 601 6th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5518 / 5520
    Fax No.: (632) 832-5281
    Email: [email protected]

    Senator Edgardo J. Angara
    Rm. 504 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5571 / 5593
    Direct Lines: (632) 552-6779
    Telefax: No.: (632) 552-6852
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.edangara.com
    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/edangara
    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/edangara2

    Senator Joker P. Arroyo
    Rm 511 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5567-68
    Direct Lines: (632) 552-6730 / (632) 812-1323
    Fax No.: (632) 552-6790
    Email:[email protected]

    Senator Pia S. Cayetano
    Rm. 505 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5556 / 5557 / 5588
    Direct Lines: (632) 552-6683 / (632) 552-9003
    Fax No.: (632) 552-6684
    Email: [email protected]
    Webs mail:[email protected]

    Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago
    Rm. 521-A 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5562 / 5590
    Direct Lines: (632) 552-6692-93
    Telefax No.: (632) 552-6692
    Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
    Website:www.miriam.com.ph

    Senator Franklin M. Drilon
    Rm. 525 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 99 loc. 8592 / 8594 – 95
    Direct Lines: (632) 659-5841 / (632) 659-7479
    Telefax No.: (632) 659-5581
    Email: [email protected]

    Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Guevara Escudero
    Rm. 517 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 80 loc. 6537 / 6539 / 6540 / 6541
    Direct Lines: (632) 833-5034 / (632) 833-8765
    Email: [email protected], [email protected]
    Website: http://www.chizescudero.com

    Senator Teofisto “TG” D. Guingona III
    Rm. 502 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 99 loc. 8560 – 63
    Direct Lines: (632) 986-2001 / (632) 986-8940 / (632) 986-5774
    Telefax No.: (632) 552-6601 loc. 8560
    Email: senatorguingona.ph
    Website: http://www.guingona.ph

    Senator Gregorio Ballesteros Honasan II
    Rm. 507 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5533 /5580
    Telefax No.: (632) 551-0525
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.gringohonasan.ph

    Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
    Rm. 510 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5534 / 5585
    Direct Line: (632) 552-6786
    Fax No.: (632) 834-6590
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.pinglacson.com.ph

    Senator Manuel “Lito” Mercado Lapid
    Rm. 516 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunkline: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5536 / 5574 – 75
    Direct Line: (632) 552-6694 / (632) 832-7949
    Telefax No.: (632) 552-6695
    Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

    Senator Loren B. Legarda
    Rm. 209 2nd Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5537 / 5538 / 5539
    Direct Line: (632) 833-1434
    Telefax No.: (632) 833-4987
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph

    Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.
    Rm. 518 5th flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 99 loc. 8570-73
    Telefax No.: (632) 659-5045
    Email: [email protected]
    Website: http://www.bongbongm.com

    Senator Sergio R. Osmeña III
    Rm. 527 5th flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 99 loc. 8525-26
    Direct Line:
    Telefax No.:
    Email: [email protected]

    Senator Kiko Pangilinan
    Rm. 502 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 6512 / 6514 / 6518 / 2344
    Direct Lines: (632) 552-6732
    Fax No.: (632) 552-6747
    Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
    Website: http://www.kiko.ph

    Aquilino Martin “Koko” dela Llana Pimentel III
    Rm. 512 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5548 – 50 / 5586
    Direct Lines: (632) 832-1498
    Fax No.: (632) 832-2541
    Law Office: Unit 2106, Atlanta Center Bldg., No. 33 Annapolis St., San Juan, Metro Manila 1503, Philippines; Tel. No. 722-5473
    Email: [email protected]
    Facebook: Koko Pimentel

    Senator Ralph G. Recto
    Rm. 508 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 99 loc. 8543-44 /8546-47
    Direct Lines: (632) 659-5756 / (632) 804-0749
    Telefax Nos.: (632) 659-5756 / (632) 804-0749
    Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.recto.ph

    Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.
    Rm. 506 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 99 loc. 5521-23 / 5577
    Telefax No.: (632) 552-6698
    Email: [email protected]
    Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV
    Rm. 519 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: ((632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 5559-60 / 5666-67
    Direct Line:
    Fax No.: (632) 833-2937
    Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
    Website: http://www.trillanes.com.ph

    Senator Manny Villar
    Rm. 503 5th Flr., GSIS Bldg., Financial Center, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
    Trunk Lines: (632) 552-6601 to 70 loc. 6507-11
    Direct Lines: (632) 552-6715
    Fax No.: (632) 552-6734
    Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
    Website:www.mannyvillar.com.ph

    Or you may check the Philippine Senate Website thru this link:
    http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen15th.asp

  14. Point – Counterpoint on issue of public surveys and impeachment proceedings:

    1. Atty. Tranquil Salvador pleads that surveys should be banned during the impeachment trial.

    http://opinion.inquirer.net/26297/should-surveys-on-corona-be-banned-during-his-trial

    2. Atty. Edsel Tupaz emphasizes that censorship of public surveys would be a violation of the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech.

    http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/3565-on-impeachment-surveys-and-sen-miriam-santiago

    Very interesting point from the Tupaz article is that in 2007, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago herself authored a bill to invalidate the sub judice rule.

    Reputably the ‘legal luminary,’ ‘national treasure,’ and ‘constitutional expert’ that she is, one could assume that she knows her law, and knows that law very well. Let’s start with Senate Bill No. 1357 which she authored in 2007.

    That bill is entitled the “Judicial Right to Know Act.” Her bill seeks to treat court orders, writs, and injunctions which prohibit media reports and commentaries of court proceedings as “invalid.” “The sub judice rule,” says the Senator in her Explanatory Note of the bill, “must be acknowledged by Philippine courts as an impermissible incursion on the salutary constitutional precept that discussion of public affairs in a free society cannot depend on the preliminary grace of judicial censors. Hence, this bill provides for the elimination of the sub judice rule.”

    If we go by her legislative disposition, Senator Miriam can be a bit of an inconsistency.

    • Ano nga ba ang role ng isang Senator Judge? Hindi ko maintindihan minsan kasi ang ilan ay parang bahagi ng defense team.

      • Wag po kayo mabahala, yang mga senador mga wang is yan, mga politiko po yan, sa politika NILALABO MUNA , BAGO LILINAWIN.. ganyan lang ang laro nila, Would you think they will gamble their POLITICAL LIFE in a NO WIN SITUATION…it is always a WIN-WIN situation sa mga politiko,, lalo na si JPE, he is the oldest and the wisest senator in the group, he plays POKER ever since, kunwari lang po yan lahat na sila ay kumakampi kay TJ… tapos na po ang laban, iisa lang ang mahirap sakyan dyan si BRENDA,,, iba po ang dimension nya,,, i think she is not even an EARTHLING,,,,relax lang, tapos na po ang laban

      • Atty Tranquilizer , I can not agree with you that survey must not be permitted during the impeachment trial,, wow naman torne, ano naman akala nyo sa mga senador natin mga BOBO, AT DI NAG AARAL NG evidensya, kaya nga tinatawag na survey, it is half true and half not true,, depende kung sino ang tinataman, masakit pakinggan pagkat di pabor sa inyo, ngayon kung gusto nyo pala ng ganyan, di IKUKULONG NYO ANG MGA SENADOR SA ISANG CHAMBER AT WAG ILABAS AT WAG BIGYAN NG ANY MEANS OF INFORMATION SA MGA NANGYAYARI SA LABAS, tulad ng mga JUROR sa america,ang hina nyo torne,,, kahit minsan di ko kukunin serbisyo nyo, kahit libre… alis dyan

      • to decide whether it is in the best interest of the country, not their own self-interests, to allow or disallow corona to continue as chief justice.

    • @maria
      Atty. Salvador abhors surveys because they are not evidence. He defined evidence as the means sanctioned by the rules of court in a judicial proceeding to establish the truth.  His position is impertinent, immaterial and irrelevant.

      First, the senate is the upper house of congress manned by senators who are elected directly by the people nationwide to represent all of them.

      Second, the senate does not conduct a judicial proceeding.  Far from it, because the senators take their bearing  or follow the course towards the best interest of their nationwide constituents through senate rules.

      Third, each senator gathers facts from the testimonies and documents presented in the course of the trial by both parties to guide them and validate the information he receives from other sources.  

      Fourth, as an agent or representative of the people, each senator ascertains the sentiments of his or her principal and formulates a decision on the case.  Definitely, the consensus of the people on Corona’s guilt or innocence affects, to a large extent if not wholly, the vote of a senator. That is democracy in action in a republican form of government.

      Of course the suggestion of Atty. Salvador for a referendum is the ideal setup, wherein the majority vote of the  people would decide on Corona’s guilt or innocense.  But the people have already spent so much in establishing a constitution and in designating their agents or representatives to do that job for them.  

       But again there is a caveat, the people through the constitution needs a 2/3 votes of all their members to remove Corona from office.  If a senator fails to heed the wish of his or her principal, he or would be punished accordingly come election time.  No ifs, no buts, no evidence needed for the punishment which may even extend to any of his or her protege. And again that is democracy in action.

      Onward OPM!!

    • Oh my! And why has she been so vociferous in denouncing survey results, and with contemptuous rudeness, insulted the poor UP students who conducted one? Raissa, I hope you get to interview MDS and ask her why she is so inconsistent, selective in her application of jurisprudence, barbaric, etc.? You’re one of the very few who could stand up to her.

  15. Hi Raissa, Keep up the good work. am one of the silent majority that decided to come out and support the OPM.
    All I can offer is my heartless thank you and encouragement that your doing something special.