Miriam: Article 2 incompetently phrased

MANILA, Philippines – Senator-judge Miriam Defensor-Santiago makes a manifestation saying article 2 suffers from incompetence in phrasing. It appears as if the Chief Justice both declared and disclosed his SALN, so that would mean the case is solved.

Santiago cites a Supreme Court ruling that says an impeachable offense is a purely political question. It is for us to decide what is impeachable in terms of the SALN, she says.

Citing IRR of Code of Conduct of Public Officials, Santiago also says that if a person makes a mistake in the SALN in good faith, it is not impeachable. Santiago then cites Supreme Court jurisprudence: Failure to completely file SALN is not dishonesty but simple negligence.

Previous SALNs of the Chief Justice was filed under old guidelines of Civil Service Commission, when it was not necessary to fill in all the blanks.

Santiago tells prosecution that they have to at least show substantial evidence that mistakes in SALN constitutes an impeachable offense and show that SALN omission was intentional.

Santiago then tells defense, if the Chief Justice did not declare all bank deposits, then he is guilty of dishonesty. – Rappler.com