Day 27 and 28

The defense started the presentation of its case by presenting 3 witnesses, namely Navotas Congressman Toby Tiangco, Supreme Court Judicial officer and cash division head Araceli Bayuga and Demetrio Vicente who bought 7 parcels of land in Marikina from Mrs. Cristina Corona and her sister Miriam.

Bayuga testified that CJ Corona earned P21,636,781.45 million in salaries and allowances from 2002 to 2011 as a Supreme Court Justice and later Chief Justice. It is clear that the defense will prove the source of funds of CJ Corona including an P11 million loan from Basa Guidote Enterprises, Inc. (BGEI) and the sale of their La Vista house and lot.

The Senate denied the defense motion for a subpoena for Congressmen Crispin “Boying” Remulla of Cavite and Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas citing interdepartmental courtesy.

The Senate imposed a penalty of reprimand on defense lawyer, Atty. Jude Roy, who claimed in a press conference that Malacañang was offering P100 million for a senator’s vote.

Reports continue to come in that Malacañang emissaries led by Secretaries Mar Roxas and Ronald Llamas are lobbying for conviction while religious and big business leaders are interceding for Corona.

The big question is, Will Chief Justice Renato Corona and his wife Cristina testify?

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THREAT . . Majority leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales has threatened Cong. Tobias Tiangco with expulsion or suspension for testifying in the Senate for the defense. What did Cong. Toby Tiangco say in his testimony? That he was threatened with loss of PDAF funds if he did not sign the impeachment complaint that he did not sign because he was not shown a copy of the complaint. That he received a text from Cong. Jun Abaya warning no release of PDAF for a Congressman who does not sign. All of that has been widely reported in media. It’s nothing new and Cong. Tiangco had already talked about his complaint in a privilege speech.

Despite Boyet Gonzales’ warnings, Toby Tiangco decided to testify. That’s a profile in courage. It is not easy to incur the President’s ire. Toby Tiangco should not be disciplined, he should be commended. His house colleagues should close ranks to support him. 

Senate President Enrile expressed the view that Tiangco’s testimony was irrelevant.

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UGLY FACE OF CRIME . . Once again a journalist, Malacañang reporter Fernan Jose Angeles of the Daily Tribune was shot 6 times in Pasig City last Sunday. Angeles is the 12th journalist who is a victim of violence under the Aquino administration.

Makati South Supermarket at Ayala, Alabang was robbed by robbers digging a tunnel from under the Supermarket.

Larry Gayanes, 27, was shot dead by 5 men as he was driving his Hyundai accent in Barangay 14, Caloocan City. Noel Inocentes of Mandaluyong was shot dead by his cousin Eduardo Bassig due to a parking dispute.

Antonio Bupa, 52, was bludgeoned to death in Quezon City. Marlon Golisao, 23, a chef was shot dead in Barangay Pasong Putik, QC.

A bomb exploded at the bus terminal of Tacurong City. The provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat have been hit by bomb explosions lately.

What and where is the administration’s crime prevention program?

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WHY NO SURVEY? . . It’s the middle of March and yet, SWS and Pulse Asia have not come out with the survey of the impeachment issue, the principal and controversial case debated throughout the country for the past 2 months.

Is it because the Laylo survey of 37% favoring the conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona is also reflective of the lower satisfaction ratings of President Aquino?

The public needs an explanation from SWS and Pulse Asia.

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COMELEC SO SLOW . . With just 14 months to go before the May 2013 elections, the Comelec has not finished deciding the hundreds of election protests. Among them, the cases of Taguig, Surigao del Norte, Isabela, Biliran and Cebu. To date, The Comelec have not even able to collect the ballot boxes in Taguig which is a stone’s throw away from the Comelec office.

The Comelec has also refused to open the ballot boxes in Compostela, Cebu for which Smartmatic issued a certification that the PCOS machines used were not those officially assigned to Compostela as they had different serial numbers.

With seven Commissioners it is hard to understand the delays except to suspect that money is paid to affect the delay.

TIDBITS . . Congratulations to Cadet Tom Puertollano of Lipa City, son of a carpenter and a market vendor, for topping the PMA Bagwis class of 2012 composed of 102 graduates.

The resignation of Felipe Remollo as CDC president has not been accepted by Malacañang.       

Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez denied reports that CJ Corona owned 31 guns which were not included in his SALN. The President has over a hundred guns which were also not declared. Many Congressmen have private guns too.

DND is negotiating for the purchase of an Airbus 319 costing $60 million and two Bell Helicopters costing $12 million each, or a total of $84 million, for the use of the President.

Greetings to avid readers Congw. Anna York Bondoc, Cong. Raymond Palatino, Atty Ramon Morden of Villassis, Pangasinan, Provincial Board Member. Fred Corona of Tanauan, Batangas whose daughter Joanna passed the bar exams. Cong. Pol Dy of Isabela, Mayor Maynard Sabili of Lipa, Mayor Danilo Sombrano of Mataas na Kahoy and Jose Mari Antonis.

Ateneo law batch ’88 host of this year’s Ateneo Law alumni homecoming is staging “MAD for Music,” a benefit concert on 29 March 2012, Thursday, 8 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Proceeds will support the projects of WaterHope. Buy your tickets now at TicketNet outlets in all SM branches and online at www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 9115555.