Morales testimony vs CJ a 'clash of titans'

MANILA, Philippines - Officials and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the Special Prosecutor are expected to watch on television Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales’ testimony at the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona today.

“This will be exciting,” one insider said, echoing the statements of fellow personnel refering to the face-off as a “clash of the titans.”

“We will definitely be watching,” another insider said. “We want to see her if magtataray siya.” (If she will be crabby).”

Morales had agreed to testify as a hostile witness for the defense on the issue of Corona’s alleged $10-million foreign currency bank deposits.

Her taking the witness stand was a condition of Corona for him to also appear before the impeachment court and answer allegations against him under oath.

Before her appointment as Ombudsman in June 2011, Morales was an associate justice of the Supreme Court.

Morales was summoned to appear before the impeachment court after she ordered Corona to answer allegations that he has dollar deposits that were not declared in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).

Meanwhile, Morales showed everyone she was still young and athletic after joining and leading a fun run in Quezon City last week.

Officials and employees of the anti-graft agency were surprised when she came out of the Office of the Ombudsman compound along Agham Road to join a crowd of participants to the marathon.

“We were surprised when she suddenly ran,” said Director Edgardo Diansuy, chief of the anti-graft agency’s Media Affairs Bureau.

Despite her age, the 70-year-old Morales joined the run and indignation rally to show that she means to eradicate and fight corruption and have a graft-free society, Diansuy said.

Morales suddenly fired the starter pistol she was carrying and started running with the crowd herself.

Reporters, cameramen, and photographers covering the event who were caught by surprise were forced to join in the effort to get videos, pictures, and an interview of Morales.

Based on the program, Morales was only supposed to start the fun run and wait for it to finish before she was to join a march to Quezon Memorial Circle, where a program was held as part of the Office of the Ombudsman’s 24th anniversary celebration activities. 

However, Morales ended up circling the block running, striding, and walking from Agham Road to North Avenue to the elliptical road and then to Quezon Avenue before coming back to Agham Road.

“She exhibited strength not only of will but also of body and the determination and endurance to finish whatever it is that she has started,” Assistant Special Prosecutor Faye Singson said after seeing Morales take up the challenge.

Morales even acknowledged video cameras being pointed at her during her run by waving and smiling at the lenses.

She did break some sweat, but that did not stop her from entertaining a “mobile” media interview with her walking briskly while reporters walked backwards so as to be in front of her to capture her on camera continuously talking about the fight against graft and corruption and the impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“Ombudsman Morales readily beat the younger participants. Her participation in the ‘Ombudsrun’ is positive proof that she is very much capable of not just joining the activity and finishing with such impressive result, but also shows her fitness in discharging her duties as the Ombudsman,” Assistant Special Prosecutor Kristine Carreon said.