What CJ Corona Knows About the One Man Rule

Its strange that CJ Corona should be going around spreading his message of fear about one-man rule. Is he speaking of a Supreme Court stacked with allies of the president? Of a House of Representatives under the thumb of a subservient Speaker of the House. Of a senate that is led by a political opportunist wihout an independent stand? Of a presidency so enamoured with power its not above extra-judicial killinga against its enemies and limitless pork barrel for itself. He should know about these things. He is talking of the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. 

 

Sen. Trillanes: “CJ Corona’s Assets are 900 percent greater than his Income”

Sen. Trillanes was interviewed after the hearing today. And his comments must have alternately raised and plunged the morale of the defense. Trillanes openly admitted he was not looking for a one to one balance between income and assets of CJ Corona. This must have been music to the ears of the defense. But then he went on to explain that by his own calculation Corona’s assets are 900 percent greater than his income. Where or how the defense will explain this huge discrepancy is now the problem. 

Senato Judge Santiago examines Cong. Toby Tiangco

A different Sen. Santiago appeared at the hearing today. She was calm and smiling all through out her examination of  Cong. Toby Tiangco. Unlike her usual insulting ways, she was heaping praises on Tiangco. Even his hair-do did not escape the Senator’s notice. In fact, it occasioned a barrage of unctious comments from the Senator. She became so overflowing with her catalogue of Cong. Tiangco’s virtues there was a sense of impending doom that prosecution or some member of the audience might be cited for contempt. This time not for covering their ears, but for covering their mouths.

Tiangco a Liability to CJ Corona’s Defense

The prosecution has been criticized for giving weight to the testimony of Justice Sereno who after all only represented the dissenting opinion in a Court of 15 magistrates.  But now the defense presents Toby Tiangco who once joined the 180 plus congressmen who signed  the articles of impeachment and then turned on his fellow congressmen. He represents not a  dissenting opinion but more of a disgruntled element in in the House majority. Which means testimony-wise he is even less weightier than Justice Sereno.

CJ Corona vs. Nun Aunt

The appearance of a nun has put a new spin on the on trial of CJ Corona. Even as the senate-court has taken a one week recess from the hearing, revelations about Corona keep coming out of the woodwork.  The prosecution is still presenting evidence courtesy of  the media. The prosecution’s presentation of evidence gave only a glimpse of the Corona’s affairs sufficient to whet the public’s appetite for more. As the media digs up more stories a new picture of the Chief Justice is emerging. And the image of Corona taking on a nun-cum-aunt-in-law in the fight for control of  Basa-Guidote really takes the cake. Corona will need a canon lawyer to get away with this one.

Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre held in Contempt in CJ Impeachment Trial

Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre of the prosecution, is the new hero of the hour. Finally, someone had the gumption to show  by  holding his hands over his ears – enough already.  Today’s hearing was practically devoted to discussions by all parties on how to speed up the trial. Except for Sen. Santiago. With no real business at hand she thought she had the golden opportuntiy  to make “epal”.  And yes, the senate-court should hold Atty. Aguirre in contempt. Because , guess what, Sen. Santiago’s behavior is truly worthy of contempt, and not just by Atty. Aquirre.

INC holds Justice Cuevas

The Iglesia ni Cristo  event managed to insinuate itself even into the impeachment hearing. The senate-court had to take a long break to accommodate a late arriving   Justice Cuevas of the defense. He was apparently trapped in the traffic jam caused by the INC. But it was well worth it for the defense. The prosecution concluded its entire presentation. Now lets see the defense’ witnesses.

 

Santiago upset on Colminares’ Request

Sen. Santiago was upset again. This it  over Rep. Colmenares’ request for the Senate-court to fight for its   powers vis-a-vis the Court’s valentine’s day ruling imposing a court-wide gag order. While its founded in the fear of a constitutional crisis, it doesn’t hide the fact that she caved in to the Supreme Court. Sen. Santiago’s posture smacks more of bullying rather than righteous indignation. There’s nothing righteous about the SC’s gag order, there’s nothing righteous about caving in to such a gag order and there’s certainly nothing righteous about beating down on the messenger who’s imprecations just hammers in the senate’s helplessness.

CJ Corona doctors Promulgation of TRO

The senior lawyers on all sides were so  polite to each other and the language so toned down that  notif one is not paying attention its possible to miss all the bombshells  that were exploded. This include: Midas Marquez lied about the TROs and their immediate efficacy in his press statements, CJ Corona used his role as the top administrator of the Supreme Court to doctor  the promulgation of   the TRO, and an associate justice  of the Supreme Court used a dissenting opinion to blow the whistle on Corona. Its wow! As revelations go.

Sec. De Lima boosts Prosecution on CJ Corona Impeachment

Sec. De Lima, the witness, a bicolana and,  prosecutor and Deputy Speaker  Raul Daza, a waray, both speaking in Filipino. And on subjects, so technical as a TRO, Hold Departure Order, Watch List, Supreme Court promulgations, etc. And the questioning by the prosecution was so ordered, it was as if Sec. De Lima was telling a story. For legal laymen watching the hearing, it  must be astounding. The prosecution was not only making its case before the senate court. It was also making its case before the  public. No need for spokesmen to explain anything.