Corona's wife to testify on bank accounts, SALN

MANILA, Philippines - The wife of Chief Justice Renato Corona is now certain to testify on their bank accounts with the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) when the defense presents its evidence in the impeachment trial of the magistrate.

"We are now sure that the Chief Justice's wife will testify, but we are not sure if the Chief Justice himself will testify," retired Associate Justice Cuevas, Corona's lead counsel, said in an interview Wednesday before meeting with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on the new trial schedule.

Cuevas also said Cristina will testify on the alleged irregularities in Corona's statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, which Article of Impeachment No. 2 also accuses the Chief Justice of failing to publicly disclose.

"She will also testify on the SALN," Cuevas said.

Aside from Cristina Corona, Cuevas said three members of the House of the Representatives - Crispin Remulla, Toby Tiangco and Hermilando Mandamas - will take the witness stand to testify on the veracity and authenticity of the impeachment complaint filed by the prosecution panel with the Senate.

source: interaksyon.com

PSBank keeps mum on Corona dollar accounts

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Savings Bank on Thursday stood pat on its earlier decision to keep secret the dollar deposit records of Chief Justice Renato Corona amid a subpoena issued by the impeachment court.

In a letter submitted to the court, PSBank president Pascual Garcia III said that he could not disclose any information pertaining to the dollar accounts reiterating that it would violate the law of foreign currency deposits.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the matter would be taken up in another caucus of the senator-judges on Monday, February 13.

Former Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas, the lead defense counsel, stood up stated anew that there is a pending motion before the Supreme Court to stop the release of the bank accounts.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said that while the Senate should “tread carefully” in deciding on the matter, “it should not tread erroneously” and keep in mind the supremacy of the impeachment court in trying the chief justice.

Despite his non-disclosure of the dollar accounts, Garcia was called anew as the first witness on Day 15 of the trial.

source: interaksyon.com