MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday challenged Chief Justice Renato Corona to testify before the impeachment court and open his assets for public scrutiny.
It seems that even the wife of the Cheap Justice has used her husbands position to take undue advantage on the assets of the Basa-Guidote properties.Tsk, tsk, not a good example to her children.
The challenge was hurled on the eve of the resumption of Corona’s impeachment trial, and amid an investigation into his alleged bank deposits amounting to $10 million.
“There is no option that says, ‘Will I explain this?’ The minute he doesn’t explain it, the presumption of ill-gotten (wealth) remains. And that is not an opinion. That is the law. And he is the chief magistrate. Maybe he should be the first one to comply,” Aquino said.
He said under the 1987 Constitution, it is mandatory for any government official, more so for those at the top levels, to declare all assets, liabilities and net worth every year, up to the last centavo.
Aquino said the words used are “shall disclose.”
“So, I will say it again, this is not an option. So the question I think is, ‘Will I disclose it publicly?” The minute I submit it, that becomes part of the public record and it’s available,” he said.
Aquino said even when he served as Tarlac congressman and senator, his annual statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) was always available for the public to see and that he had “nothing to hide” from the very start.
This makes it imperative for Corona – being head of the judiciary – to do the same, he said
