Enrile disallows evidence on Coronas' PAL 'perks'
Enrile says bribery not part of allegation
CJ had 4 free round trips abroad via PAL: prosecution
MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) - Presiding Judge Juan Ponce Enrile stopped the prosecution from presenting evidence on Chief Justice Renato Corona and his wife's alleged perks from flag carrier Philippine Air Lines (PAL) in connection with Article 3 of the impeachment complaint.
PAL vice president for sales Enrique Javier was already on the witness stand ready to testify on the supposed perks such as free PAL tickets for Mr. and Mrs. Corona, but Enrile, after taking note of lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas' motion to quash, ruled that the testimony was irrelevant to Article 3 of the impeachment complaint.
“The court has ruled, you take me to court,” Enrile told the prosecution.
Private prosecutor Marlon Manuel tried to argue that the testimony would help prove Article 3, but Enrile insisted on the ruling.
“I warned you several times…there’s a limit to the patience of this court...You're expanding the coverage, the court will not allow the expansion unless you amend it, so ordered,” Enrile said.
Article 3 provides that Corona allegedly committed culpable violations of the Constitution and betrayed the public trust by failing to meet and observe the stringent standards under Article VIII, Section 7 (3) of the Constitution which provides that “[a] member of the judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.”
Prior to the ruling, public prosecutor Sherwin Tugna had said the prosecution sought to prove the lack of integrity on the part of Corona.
The problematic drafting of the complaint has dogged the prosecution since the start of the trial. Public prosecutor Rodolfo Fariñas has admitted that it was poorly crafted.
The prosecution earlier alleged Corona got the privileges from PAL despite the fact that it had pending cases before the Supreme Court.
The prosecutors are referring to the SC decision recalling a final decision on the retrenchment case filed by the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) against PAL. They alleged that Corona acted on a “mere letter” from PAL legal counsel Estelito Mendoza.
Where is bribery?
The prosecution subsequently asked for a short recess to discuss the matter.
Later in a manifestation, lead prosecutor Niel Tupas said the relevance of Javier’s testimony proves “consideration, inadvertence and motive” on the part of Corona.
He said this is crucial since there is alleged flip-flopping in the FASAP issue. “It’s important to prove motive.”
Enrile said: “Do you understand bribery? That’s the tendency of the evidence you’re presenting.” He said bribery was never included in article 3.
“I don’t know how you learned your articles of pleading, but I’m basing my ruling on your allegations…I’m not changing my ruling,” a miffed Enrile said.
Enrile then asked Tupas if he wants the court to order an amendment to the impeachment complaint. Tupas said there is no need since it’s just a technicality.
Enrile said, however: “This is not a technicality. For heaven’s sake!..We’re already very liberal with you. You even asked us to review the decisions of the SC. We allowed it so as not to embarrass you. You are already going too far. You want me to lecture you more?”
Tupas finally gave in.
‘Stranger in paradise’
Enrile, however, allowed Manuel to present the documents that Javier should have testified on. The documents include the travels of the Coronas on different dates via a Platinum Card from PAL.
Lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas objected, saying this could not be done since no witness could attest to the documents.
Manuel said Corona had four round trips using his Platinum Card:
Manila to Guam and vice versa. April 20, 2011 and April 24, 2011, respectively;
Manila to Singapore and vice versa. April 15 and April 19, 2011, respectively;
Manila to Honolulu and vice versa, December 25 and 30, 2010 respectively; and,
Manila to Hong Kong and vice versa, December 18 and 21, 2010, respectively.
Mrs. Corona, on the other hand, had 12 round trips using her Platinum Card.
These are:
Manila to Jakarta (July 10 and July 15, 2011);
Manila to Guam (April 20 and April 24, 2011);
Manila to Singapore (April 15 and April 19, 2011);
Manila to Bangkok (March 4 and March 7, 2011);
Manila to Honolulu (December 25 and December 30, 2010);
Manila to Hong Kong (December 18 and December 21, 2010);
Manila to Bacolod (July 28, 2011);
Manila to General Santos City (June 3 and June 4, 2011);
Manila to Cebu (March 18 and 19, 2011);
Manila to Tagbilaran (March 22 and March 24, 2011);
Manila to GenSan (March 2 and March 3, 2011); and,
Manila to Cebu (February 15 and February 16, 2011).
Enrile noted, however: “This evidence is nothing. It assumes something not established yet…Let it remain as a manifestation.”
The prosecution finally asked for a recess of the trial to Wednesday to discuss their next moves.
Enrile said: “The discharge of your witness is not the fault of this court…It’s the way you’re presenting your case.”
He said it’s as if the prosecution presented a “stranger in paradise” to prove an allegation that does not exist.
Enrile too obvious
Obvious naman itong si Enrile na pabor kay CJ. Sigurado meron din siyang platinum card from PAL. Ang corruption sa bansa ay pinangungunahan ni GMA, CJ, Lucio Tan at Enrile.
LEST WE FORGET
lest we forget the victims of mendiola massacre. the victims of the yellow guards in hacienda luisita. the victims of cory aquino's TOTAL WAR POLICY. these cojuangcos-aquinos and their clique are just one of those members of the ruling class posturing themselves to be freedom-loving, democratic, pro-people. in truth, they have just used the people and edsa to perpetrate themselves in power. enough of yellow madness. our vision have been blurred for so long. the true heroes of edsa is not cory aquino. its the people. we owe nothing to the aquinos. they already gained so much from edsa, while the people have yet to gain anything. THERE IS NO GENUINE FREEDOM UNLESS THE PEOPLE ARE STILL CHAINED TO THE CHAINS OF POVERTY!
THE STING
Who benefited from edsa? As clear as limpid stream, its not you, nor me but the aquinos-cojuangcos inc. We have for so long been deceived by the promises of democracy, freedom, liberty, empowerment, participation and what have yous. But where are we now? Still in the misery of abject poverty, unparalleled corruption, greedy power-tripping, divisiveness, incompetence, and self-interest driven governance. I have no qualm about people power. What I am dismayed about is using this social action just so the ANOINTED FEW will be perpetrated in power and they can lay easily their blames on the so-called UNPOPULAR figures in history as roots of all our miseries and problems. This government must have the balls to assume responsibility for its ineffectiveness, incompetence, inaction and way below poor performance. This government should stop passing the blame to previous administrations to extricate itself from the ire of the growing number of impoverished people. The real meaning of edsa is to free people from want and poverty. But looking to where we are now, I say, EDSA is nothing.
THE FRUIT OF THE POISONOUS TREE
I really believe that history will be kinder to the Marcoses. For us who actually experienced the Marcos years and the post EDSA period, the former is tamer and more decent, compared to the madness and chaos that ensued after the EDSA Gang a.k.a.Yellow Mafia took over the reigns of power.
Just remember this, when one listens to a resource person, commentator or media outfit, one must consider their relation to the Yellow Mafia. One cannot solicit a fair comment from a Rene Saguisag, Frank Chavez or expect a balanced reporting without a slant from the media outfit that owe its very existence from Cory.
Look how reasonable, decent and civilized Bongbong is compared to the Mongrel and Jerk(s) that resides at the Palace at the moment.
Double Jeopardy!
Leila dilemma and Victoria Avena are both classic examples of prostituting the legal profession. That, or they’re utterly stupid, corrupt, or have lips glued to the butt of the President . Secretary of Justice or injustice. Professor of Law or Outlaw. Ha! Ha! Ha!
Enrile did the right thing.
Enrile did the right thing. He should have ruled in the same fashion in re bank accounts. What is happening in the impeachment court is that these persecutors are using the court to fish evidence for them. They don’t have any iota of evidence even to warrant the existence of probable cause when they filed this impeachment complaint in the house. They are abusively using the compulsory processes of the court to get the evidence they wanted which was not there when they first filed the case. This is a violation of constitutional guarantee on due process. For those who are saying that Miriam and those who are openly critical on the manner by which the persecutors are presenting their evidence in chief, SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! SHAME ON YOU FOR BEING SO JAUNTY ON FREEDOM, THE SPIRIT OF EDSA , AND YET YOU DO NOT SHOW ANY RESPECT FOR FREEDOM OF A SINGLE PERSON TRYING TO DEFEND HIS RIGHTS UNDER THE CORY CONSTITUTION. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR DOUBLE STANDARD. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FOR STRIPPING THE ONLY REMAINING SOVEREIGNTY RESIDING IN THE PERSON. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FOR BEING OPPRESSIVE!
The reason why the BILL OF RIGHTS IS PLACED ARTICLE III in the constitution, right after national territory and declaration of state policy and principle is because the framers value is overarching importance. FOR THOSE LAWYERS who preach otherwise, SHAME ON YOU!
Enrile did the right thing.
Enrile did the right thing. He should have ruled in the same fashion in re bank accounts. What is happening in the impeachment court is that these persecutors are using the court to fish evidence for them. They don’t have any iota of evidence even to warrant the existence of probable cause when they filed this impeachment complaint in the house. They are abusively using the compulsory processes of the court to get the evidence they wanted which was not there when they first filed the case. This is a violation of constitutional guarantee on due process. For those who are saying that Miriam and those who are openly critical on the manner by which the persecutors are presenting their evidence in chief, SHAME ON ALL OF YOU! SHAME ON YOU FOR BEING SO JAUNTY ON FREEDOM, THE SPIRIT OF EDSA , AND YET YOU DO NOT SHOW ANY RESPECT FOR FREEDOM OF A SINGLE PERSON TRYING TO DEFEND HIS RIGHTS UNDER THE CORY CONSTITUTION. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR DOUBLE STANDARD. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FOR STRIPPING THE ONLY REMAINING SOVEREIGNTY RESIDING IN THE PERSON. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU FOR BEING OPPRESSIVE!
The reason why the BILL OF RIGHTS IS PLACED ARTICLE III in the constitution, right after national territory and declaration of state policy and principle is because the framers value is overarching importance. FOR THOSE LAWYERS who preach otherwise, especially those PROSECUTOR-JUDGES, SHAME ON YOU!
pnoy dictador
The bank secrecy law is clear on stating that foreign currency accounts (dollar accounts) could not be disclosed to anyone unless with the written consent of the depositor. but since corona earned the ire of the president, pnoy ordered the two branches of the government to dig up corona's bank accounts in order to black mail the latter. that is one credible thing that would justify or explain why the bank accounts of corona were exposed and fell into the hands of the prosecution.
the malacanan tenant is the one who ordered BSP and AMLC to investigate corona. to do that, BSP came up with a dept. circular that classified certain people as "PEP" or politically exposed personalities. this is all intended to give way to the witch hunt which the palace tenant orchestrated and to circumvent the law so he could get back at his perceived political foes. with the advent of such dept. circular, BSP and AMLC began a special witch hunt for PEPs who can be a subject for audits and whose accounts can be examined. this did not just put the banking industry in bad light but it has a big impact to the bank depositors. it sends a disturbing thought that this government could illegally order an investigation of the bank account(s) of anyone using BSP and AMLC's. the memo itself deeply encroach into the rights of our people. we can safely say that the law could not protect anyone who's a perceived political foe of the chief executive. the tendency of pnoy being a dictator is right in front of our doorsteps.
for the record, the two branches of the executive (BSP and AMLC) have no business investigating the accounts (dollar) of corona for two reasons. first, there is no court order to investigate the bank accounts of the chief justice. second, the law is clear in bank secrecy that all foreign currency deposits should be treated with utmost confidentiality unless with the written consent of depositor.
What the BSP and AMLC could not deny is that, they have examined the bank records of corona in PS Bank without a court order nor did they determine probable cause to start an investigation. one undeniable fact is that, the BSP auditors accompanied by certain Jerry Leal (anti-frau expert) have investigated the 1 million peso that corona won in a bank raffle. however, the million dollar question is this, why would BSP and AMLC would do a joint investigation involving the chief justice if there is no direct order from the tenant of malacanan? remember that this investigation on corona's accounts happened late last year while the president is berating the chief justice in many forums.
the tenant of the palace is hardly known to uphold, obey and defend the law. to make things worse, BSP and AMLC both vowed to execute the illegal orders of the boy from the stinky pasig river. take it from garcia, the man has more credibility than the man (?) in the palace.
tatandaan ng taongbayan
Sino man sa mga senator-judge ang sasagka sa mga ebidensya ng prosekusyon ay mananagot sa taongbayan sa darating na eleksyon. Tatandaan po natin na sina MIRIAM at ENRILE ay natalo noong eleksyon, pagkatapos ng Impeachment ni ERAP. Kaya doon sa mga senator-judge na reelectionist ay maghunos-dili kayo. Sa mga prosecutor, huwag kayong masindak tuloy ang laban at suportado kayo ng taongbayan. Tatandaan ng taongbayan kung anong partido ang susuportahan ni ENRILE at ibabagsak ito. Babantayan ng mga botante ang anak ni ENRILE na tatakbo bilang senador. Mabuhay kayo mga prosecutor.
MEGAMIND KA PALA
ALAM MO ANG ISIP NG TAUMBAYAN? MEGAMIND KA PALA. ANG BABAIT NG MGA PROSECUTOR, ANO? LALO NA SI FARINAS AT DAZA. HA! HA! HA!