Prosecutors insist Corona 'hiding something'

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives prosecution panel maintained that Chief Justice Renato Corona is "hiding something" when he did not indicate the real value of his properties in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

During the prodding of Senator-Judge Ralph Recto, House prosecutor Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said the chief magistrate should have put the acquisition cost of the two condominium units in Taguig City.

"He only filled up both the assessed value and market value in his SALN because he is hiding something," Barzaga said.

Based on the absolute deed of sale, the two properties -- Bellagio and Bonifacio Ridge -- in Taguig City have a total value of over P23 million but the chief justice's SALN only showed P18 million for the properties.

Earlier, the city assessors officer Engr. Roberto Villaluz testified and submitted to the Senate impeachment court tax declaration certificates on the properties of the Chief magistrate.

One of the tax declaration certificates that refer to the Mckinley property is under the name of Corona's daughter, Maria Charina Corona.

The defense lawyers also presented its sixth witness Rodolfo Ordanes, the officer in charge of the city assessor's office of Quezon City, to bolster the accuracy of the chief justice's Dec. 2010 SALN.

Ordanes submitted tax declaration certificates on the several properties owned by Chief Justice Corona and his wife, Cristina, in Quezon City.

Ordanes, however, said one tax declaration, named under Cristina, was already cancelled because the property in La Vista Subdivision, Barangay Pansol, Quezon City, was transferred to her daughter Ma. Carla Castillo.

The 1,200 square meter property has a market value of P3 million and assessed value of P450,000.