Corona discharged

MANILA, Philippines – Former Chief Justice Renato Corona has been discharged from Medical City Hospital in Pasig City.

He exited the hospital through the back door, according to the ABS-CBN News Channel. Rappler has confirmed this independently.

Corona was admitted to the hospital after his testimony before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, May 22. It was Day 40 of the impeachment trial. He walked out after reading a statement for over 3 hours, and claimed he suffered from an episode of hypoglycemia.

Doctors thereafter said he was in danger of a near heart attack and admitted him to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

He has had a history of diabetes and was described by doctors to have a “high-risk cardiac profile and renal condition.” Corona has had 2 heart bypass surgeries — in 1995 and 2008.

He was confined in the hospital, given his condition, but was given by an irate Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile until Friday, May 25, to appear before the impeachment court.

Against his doctor’s orders and after signing a waiver that absolved them of any responsibility, Corona appeared before the court once again. He apologized for his untimely exit and said he did not walk out.

Corona was convicted by the impeachment court by a vote of 20-3 on Tuesday, May 29. He is the first chief justice to have been impeached and convicted. 

Enrile, in voting to convict Corona, said, “His deliberate act of excluding substantial assets from his sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth constitutes a culpable violation of the Constitution.” His lawyers said they have decided not to bring the case to the Supreme Court.

Enrile had declared the Senate had the sole power to try and decide on impeachment cases and dared the defense to appeal to the SC. “If they want a constitutional crisis in this country, they will have one,” Enrile said. – Rappler.com