#CoronaTrial: Day 34 with video highlights

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Highlights of Day 34 of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona

MANILA, Philippines – Here are the highlights of Day 34 of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

2:12 pm: Session starts. Court, led by Senator-judge Panfilo Lacson, greets Senator-judge Pia Cayetano a happy birthday. Roll call: 19 senator-judges present.

2:18 pm: Next witness for the defense: Miriam Mosuela of the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC). She will testify to prove Mrs Cristina Corona’s earnings while employed by the JHMC. Prosecution opposes her testimony, saying it is immaterial to the case on hand, but court allows her testimony.

Prosecution wants to abbreviate proceedings, and admits the document stating Mrs Corona’s income, benefits from JHMC. Brief direct and cross examination directed at Mosuela. She testifies about Mrs Corona’s salaries and benefits from the JHMC.

2:34 pm: Session suspended.

2:38 pm: Session resumes. Next witness: Former Manila mayor Joselito Atienza. He will testify in connection with the sale of a property owned by the Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc (BGEI), which the Manila City government bought through Mrs Corona. Defense maintains Mrs Corona was authorized by the BGEI to sell the property to the city.

Atienza recalls events leading to the transaction between the city government and BGEI. 

He tells court that the purchase of the BGEI lot was because they needed a new place for their Sampaloc market, after the old market place was determined for use of a new LRT station. He explains how the negotiations for the lot took place, and how it was paid. The lot was bought by the city for P34,703,800.00. Atienza says sale was legal.

3:45 pm: Defense ends direct examination of Atienza. Session suspended.

4:14 pm: Session resumes. Prosecution to start cross examination, but says they will need more time to review the statements and documents related to the direct examination of Atienza. However, cross examination will start this session.

4:29 pm: Senator-judge Jinggoy Estrada manifests, says it is not the job of the mayor to meet with the owner of a property in behalf of the city. This comes after prosecution lawyer Renato Samonte Jr presses Atienza about how he knew it was Mrs Corona who handled the BGEI property.

4:55 pm: Senator-judge Lacson asks clarificatory questions to Atienza.

5:30 pm: Senator-judge Franklin Drilon asks clarificatory questions to Atienza. He grills Atienza about how the Manila city government handled the transaction, and says there is “lack of due diligence” in the purchase.

5:47 pm: Lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas manifests, shows document related to the capital gains tax.

5:49 pm: Continuation of cross examination.

5:50 pm: Prosecution says they will have to examine docs, need more time, asks for continuance of cross examination. Court allows it.

Clarificatory questions from Senator-judge Loren Legarda, directed to Cuevas. She asks, will CJ Corona amend his SALN come April 15 (since SALNs of government officials, employees are to be filed by that date); Cuevas says he will clarify with their client.

Clarificatory questions for Atienza from Senator-judge Sergio Osmeña III. Senator-judge Joker Arroyo poses questions to prosecution.

6:19 pm: More clarificatory questions for prosecution and defense, this time from Sen Lacson. Senator-judge Ralph Recto then asks clarificatory questions to both sides.

6:38 pm: Session adjourned. Trial to resume upon the resumption of the session of Congress on Monday, May 7, 2012, at 2 pm. – Rappler.com

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