Corona on Ana Basa's claims: All lies

MANILA, Philippines - Chief Justice Renato Corona dismissed as a lie the claim of his wife’s cousin that shareholders of their family corporation were not aware of the supposed P11-million cash advance the embattled chief magistrate obtained from the company.

“Don’t believe her lies,” Corona told The STAR in a text message when asked for reaction on the reported statement of Ana Basa, first cousin of his wife Cristina and one of the heirs of Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI).

Basa reportedly told a group of congressmen that BGEI did not give authority for the supposed cash advance, which she said Corona should pay for.

Defense lawyers earlier claimed in the impeachment trial that Corona used the P11-million loan he obtained from BGEI to fund his and his wife’s acquisitions.

They also presented to the impeachment court a copy of the check that they said represented payment for building owned by BGEI sold to the Manila city government for P34 million.

The defense claimed the firm also owned the over P36 million in three accounts in Philippine Savings Bank which Corona withdrew on the day the impeachment complaint was filed against him on Dec.12 last year.

Basa contested this claim by the defense panel, questioning why the account was under Corona’s name and not under their family’s corporation.

Basa also alleged that Corona had even pointed a gun at their former caretaker Pedro Aguilon in 1997.

But lawyers of the Chief Justice said these charges were just a rehash and had never prospered in any court. They also questioned why Basa surfaced at this time when Corona is facing trial.