CJ Renato Corona, Convicted!
20 Convictions - 3 Acquittals
The Senate session started 2:20pm today with Senator Villar leading the opening prayer, "Ito ang katapusan pero ito rin ang simula. Tulungan Ninyo ang aming bansang makausad mula rito." Senators then prepared themselves to vote on Article 2 of impeachment complaint. Senators allowed to use as much time as they need when they cast their vote, "This is historical," Enrile said.
Conviction
- (1st Vote) Edgardo Angara: I may grant CJ a plea of honest misjudgement, but given CJ's practice in law and advisory services, failure to declare amounts to culpable violation. I find the respondent Guilty.
- (3rd Vote) Alan Peter Cayetano: Bakit pag mahirap ang nahuli, ang sasabihin 'sa presinto ka na magpaliwanag? Pag mayaman, puro palusot. Lets be honest w each other, after 44 hours, sa tingin ko isang linggo tapos na ito, kung nagsabi na lang tayo ng totoo. If your client can't explain, I can't abstain. If you did not disclose, we have to depose. If you are not fit, you cannot sit.
- (4th Vote) Pia Cayetano: It is RA 6713, Code of Conduct, that prevails. There are no exceptions. Minor inaccuracies in the SALN would not amount to betrayal of public trust. Corrections are allowed under the law. But the failure to declare $2.4M and P80M is not minor. Convict.
- (6th Vote) Franklin Drilon: He has lost the moral fitness to serve the people. He cannot be Chief Justice any longer. I find the respondent Guilty.
- (7th Vote) Jinggoy Ejercito-Estrada: This trial is a historic redemption of our justice system. This same process failed for my own father. Today, I join the nation in healing the wounds inflicted by this trial. Napatunayan ng depensa na hindi 45 properties. Hindi 82 accts kundi 4. But these numbers are irrelevant. The question is, idineklara ba ito sa tamang oras at panahon? Hindi. In my eyes, he is Guilty.
- (8th Vote) Francis Escudero: Di ko masasang-ayunan ang posisyon ng CJ. ANg binabawal ng FCDU law ay bangko, hindi depositor. Panahon na para itaas ang pamantayan ng mga naninilbihan sa pamahalaan. Dapat pantay ang pamantayang ito. Convict.
- (9th Vote) Teofisto Guingona III: Ito ay isang pagbaluktot sa isang probisyon ng konstitusyon. This is constitutional perversion in its ultimate form. Ano ang aasahan nating tagapagtanggol sa SC kung mismong ang pinuno nito ang bumabaluktot sa batas? Ito ang hatol ko: ang nasasakdal ay hindi na karapat-dapat sa pagtitiwala ng sambayanang Pilipino. I vote to Convict the accused Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
- (10th Vote) Gregorio Honasan II: Based on my experience, I know how it is to be deprived of due process. I know what its like to having my family maligned & lack due process, this is about judging if CJ if fit for the job. Since trial began, I have been looking for reason to acquit Corona based on compassion. Convict.
- (11th Vote) Panfilo Lacson: CJ used to work at SGV, taught corporate law. I find it hard to believe his testimony he does not understand accounting. An error of judgment is inacceptible in this trial because it is final, irreversible. Convict.
- (12th Vote) Lito Lapid: Bilang HS grad, anong sasabihin ko na hindi marunong mag-Ingles, hindi maalam sa batas? Ano kayang magiging desisyon? Hindi ako magsasalita ng republic act dahil hindi maniniwala ang tao sa akin. Nakinig ako sa bawat ebidensyang inaano nila dito. Yung pinrisinta ni Fariñas kahapon ay malinaw. CJ ay lumabag sa batas. Nung nagsusumbong sya dito akala ko totoo sinasabi nya. Hindi pala. Mas pinaniwalaan ko pa sinabi ni Cong Fariñas na nagPowerPoint dito. Pasensya na po, ang hatol ko sa inyo Guilty.
- (13th Vote) Loren Legarda: I select Article 2 as the anchor of my verdict. Mahirap pong humusga sapagkat tayo ay tao lamang. Disclosure of SALN is the only window of the public to know if we have enriched ourselves while in public office. Convict.
- (15th Vote) Sergio Osmena, III: Justice must not be merely done but also seen to be done. We must tell people that justice is applied equally. Convict.
- (16th Vote) Francis Pangilinan: Based on evidence, there was systematic concealment of Corona's assets. CJ showed blatant disregard of law, quotes Corona saying dishonest members of judiciary should be disbarred.
- (17th Vote) Aquilino Pimentel, III: CJ arguments don't persuade me. There's no law exempting commingled funds from SALN disclosure.
- (18th Vote) Ralph Recto: I base decision on facts, not opinions aired outside of court; on testimonies, not theories; on arguments, not analysis. In an impeachment complaint, length is not strength. The way evidence was produced left a bad taste in the mouth.
- (19th Vote) Ramon Revilla, Jr: Ang panunungkulan ni CJ ay dapat walang bahid ni katiting dahil sa mandato ng kanyang katungkulan, kahalagahan posisyon.
- (20th Vote) Vincente Sotto, III: In my conscience I have heard (the people's) decision and for them I vote guilty.
- (21th Vote) Antonio Trillanes IV: A conviction signifies that nobody is untouchable, raises standards for the position of Chief Justice of SC
- (22th Vote) Manny Villar: (recalls he was victim of villification campaign during pres'l campaign, just like Corona) Sana hindi na maulit ang mga Little Lady, Mr. Mailbox at Mr. Anonymous
- (23th Vote) Juan Ponce Enrile: The time has come for me to render judgment on Chief Justice Corona. If we agree w/CJ that he's correct in not disclosing, can we expect SALN's to be more accurate & true? I don't think so. To render a just verdict is a sacred duty that I have taken on myself, that I have sworn to perform. With full trust that the Almighty will see us through, I vote to hold the CJ guilty.
Acquittal
- (2nd Vote) Joker Arroyo: I cannot imagine removing a CJ on account of a SALN. Today, we are one step from violating the constitution, no one can stop us when we cannot stop ourselves. This is not law, it is only naked power as it was in 1972. vote to Acquit.
- (5th Vote) Miriam Defensor-Santiago: Kung hatulan nating may sala yan, ibig sabihin lahat tayo honest. Kung honest tayo, why is the PH always ranked as the most corrupt countries in the whole world?! Bigyan niyo ako ng isa pang buhay at iimbestigahan ko lahat dito sa House at Senado. Pati sarili ko imbestigahan ko! (Enrile interrupts) I thought I was unlimited! But I will obey the injunction. Would you be surprised if I vote not guilty?
- (14th Vote) Ferdinand Marcos, Jr: Bill of Rights stands supreme over powers of govt. Govt mustered all powers at its disposal in this case. CJ interpretation of law has been publicly criticized as flawed; public officials construe law in same manner. When furor has died down I know like Lady Justice we'll find solace that this judgment is fair and just. I vote to acquit.
No need for senator-judges to vote for Articles 3 and 7 since CJ Corona has already been already convicted for Article 2. Impeachment court votes 20-3 to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona for failing to disclose all assets in SALN. Clerk of impeachment court to provide copy of decision to House Speaker, Supreme Court, JBC and President Noynoy Aquino. Reports said that Corona was advised not watch proceedings on Television.
Source: ANC
