‘Attorney-in-fact’

MANILA, Philippines – In 2008, Charina Corona bought her own 203 sq-m lot in posh Mckinley Hill, the Fort, Makati, for P6.1-M.

She purchased the property from her father, Chief Justice Renato Corona.

This is based on a deed of absolute sale that we acquired last January and which was presented to the impeachment court on Thursday, January 19.

Charina Corona, youngest of the 3 children of Chief Justice Renato Corona and wife Cristina, is listed as the owner of the property, but the deed of sale does not bear her signature. (Read the story on the other Corona properties here.)

Her father signed the deed of sale as “attorney-in-fact.”

What does this mean?

Before October 2008, the Chief Justice owned this property, according to reports.

He transferred this property to Charina in October 2008.

We asked 3 lawyers who said that this means Charina Corona appointed her father as attorney-in-fact because she could not sign the documents herself.

It also means that the attorney-in-fact has the legal personality to enter into any transaction regarding this property.

In her 30s, it is said that Charina Corona is a physical therapist based in the US.

McKinley Hill is a Megaworld development.

In 2004, Corona wrote a decision favorable to Megaworld in the Megaworld Properties and Holdings, Inc. vs Hon. Judge Benedicto. The Court said Megaworld was not liable to pay the respondents P25 million in brokers’ fees.

In 2009, however, Corona concurred in Megaworld Globus Asia Inc vs Mila Tanseco, which decided against Megaworld. – Rappler.com