Palace denies P-Noy lobbying for conviction of Corona

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang denied yesterday President Aquino was personally lobbying for the senators to overwhelmingly convict impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said it was not true that the President met with senators individually, but only saw them during public events.

For example, Lacierda said Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. were present when American senators visited and paid a courtesy call on the President in Malacañang recently.

When the government-owned and controlled corporations turned over P19 billion to the national coffers, Sen. Franklin Drilon, among others, was present during the ceremony at the Palace, he added.

The President also met Sen. Edgardo Angara in Aurora during the founding anniversary of the province.

“When there are some legislative matters to be discussed, it’s not remote that the President will meet with them. But certainly on legislative matters. However, to put color to the meetings, that’s not true,” Lacierda said.

Reports said Aquino held one-on-one talks with most of the 23 senators to get the numbers needed to convict Corona.

Aquino reportedly last talked to Senators Ralph Recto and Joker Arroyo.

Sources at the Senate said Aquino was apparently disturbed by an internal survey that showed only 37 percent of the people were in favor of Corona’s conviction and that the trustworthiness of senators remained high regardless of whether they would vote for conviction or acquittal.

Malacañang has denied that it conducted such a survey, or had any knowledge of such a survey.