Day 42: wRap

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Rappler Editor-at-large Maritess Vitug provides an analysis of day 42 of the #CoronaTrial

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler Editor-at-large Maritess Vitug provides an analysis of day 42 of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. Below is the transcript of the interview.

How did his testimony affect his case?

Basically he admitted owning $2.4-M and P80-M which were not at all declared in the SALN. He made these admissions but he defended them saying he’s relying on the secrecy law and the funds are co-mingled. Again, it’s going to be the senators who will weigh if this really should not have been declared.

But again, for me as a citizen and as a journalist, I’m all for accountability and transparency and the co-mingled funds, then if that’s the case then public official will say let’s put all our deposits into dollar accounts and let’s make all our peso accounts co-mingled so we don’t need to declare them.

For me his testimony today just made clear, it just made clear his defense. So now it’s up to us to decide on where we stand.

Supreme Court politics

I was really surprised by the questions of Senator Jinggoy Estrada because they do not impact on the case. But still, it gave us a view on politics in the Supreme Court. Remember that Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales was the lone dissenter in the midnight appointment of Chief Justice Corona. She was the only one who dissented.

And he admitted, without saying it…explaining it well that that was when the distrust began. And then after that he said they were not on the same side in certain cases. And it reached a point in the retirement when she asked for double, triple, or just more… At least based on my coverage of the Supreme Court, there is a standard amount for retirement. The Supreme court works in very traditional ways.

They have a certain amount for retirement, they have a certain amount for bonuses. It’s all, like, fixed. So it’s very difficult for a Justice to ask to double or triple. They work with tradition and I’ve attended several…a few retirement ceremonies. They’ re held in Manila Hotel, Five Star hotels. They give away their books, compiling their speeches.

So, for me, I think it’s not truthful because it’s a standard expense item. As Ombudsman Morales said in a press con earlier, I think she explained that it’s not true.

Moving forward to judgment. What to expect?

I think the senator should be able to define in this ruling, in their vote, to define what public accountability means. They should be able, their votes should tell the public, give the message that public office is a public trust. That it’s very important to be accountable, to be transparent, and at the end of the day answer the question, “Is the Chief Justice fit for his office?”

I think several commentators have said that and I agree. Aside from the evidence, you will really go back to the main question. Public office is public trust. Does he still maintain the trust of the public to stay on as Chief Justice – Rappler.com

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