Lapid vows to be independent judge in impeach trial

ANGELES CITY ,Philippines  – Sen. Lito Lapid yesterday vowed to be an independent judge in the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, despite his efforts to seek the Aquino government’s assistance for his wife Marissa, who is facing criminal charges in the United States.

Filmer Abrajano, Lapid’s chief of staff, told The STAR in a text message that his boss has also no plans to inhibit himself from the trial after reports came out that the senator’s own statement of assets and liabilities and net worth (SLAN) have been anomalous.

Lapid has authorized Abrajano to speak on his behalf on matters related to the bulk cash smuggling case lodged against his wife in the US.

“Part of the mandate of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is to assist Philippine nationals who are in need of assistance in whatever form (in foreign countries),” he said.

Therefore, according to him, Lapid does not see himself personally indebted to President Aquino, who supports the removal of Corona from the Supreme Court.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez earlier said that the agency is coordinating with the senator’s camp “as to the kind of assistance they would need from us.”

Lapid, a known ally of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, asked the DFA to help his wife Marissa who is now facing criminal charges in Las Vegas, Nevada after she was caught allegedly trying to smuggle a total of $50,493 into the US in November last year.

Foreign nationals are allowed to bring into the US a maximum of only $10,000 cash.

Marissa is now free on bail but is fitted with an electronic monitoring bracelet as an assurance she would comply with the court order to restrict herself to a county in Nevada pending the resolution of her case.

Alex Marcelino, Lapid’s spokesman, said Eliot Krieger of the Jarvis and Krieger Law Office is representing Marissa.

Marissa’s case has also revived reports that Lapid had misdeclared his SALNs in the past years since he entered politics.

Reports had it that Lapid’s SALN did not include a mansion he had built in his hometown in Porac, Pampanga, as well as other houses that supposedly belong to him to justify residency requirements for his plan to run for mayor of Angeles City in 2004 and then Makati City in 2007.