Truthful disclosure

Your January 21 editorial is absolutely correct: How can a difference between the value of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s luxury 300 square meter penthouse in The Fort acquired for P14.5 million but declared in his SALN as worth only P6.8 million — or an undervaluation of nearly P8 million — be a ‘minor discrepancy’ as his lawyers claim?

Well, it appears now that Corona hasn’t been telling the truth in his SALNs. His condominium units and lot in Makati, Taguig and Quezon City are all worth P42.1 million based on the deeds of absolute sale attached to these properties. But he declared the total value of these properties in his SALN at only P13.1 million, or equivalent to just a third of actual values based on deeds of sale.

The SALN is required by law of all public officials and employees to determine if they are living within their means. You are right: if there is any discrepancy in the SALN submitted, then such discrepancy constitutes prima facie evidence of ill-gotten wealth.

The Chief Justice is expected to be an exemplar of integrity and probity. If Corona has not been truthful in accomplishing his SALNs and declaring his assets, then he loses all moral authority to sit at the helm of the judiciary. A Chief Justice should not lie.

To your question: “Can the nation afford what looks like deceitful, squalid behavior by its highest magistrate?”, my answer is: No, absolutely not.