From 45 to just 6 CJ properties

MANILA, Philippines - From 45, the number of real estate properties allegedly owned by Chief Justice Renato Corona and his wife, Cristina, has been reduced to just six.

This according to senator-judge Jinggoy Estrada after posing a clarificatory question to lead prosecutor, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr, on the number of properties purportedly owned by the Corona couple not included in the magistrate's statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.

"Ito bang 45 properties na ito, hindi ninyo sinuri?... Anim na lang ang dapat patunayan ng depensa," Estrada told the lead prosecution counsel.

Estrada noted that most of the questioned properties by the Coronas have already been admitted by the Chief Justice in his answer to the allegations.

However, Tupas insisted that there should be 21 properties, including three parking lots in the Bellagio in Taguig City and Pansol, Quezon City and Marikina.

"Hindi anim kundi 21 properties, excluding the three parking lots in Burgundy," Tupas said, noting that as they review the titles the prosecution panel got from the Land Registration Authority, prosecutors decided to offer only 21 documentary evidence.