Big risk for Corona

Day 36 saw defense lawyers Jose “Judd” Roy and Ramon Esguerra announcing that Chief Justice Corona will testify to squarely deny the existence of $10 million deposits in several banks.

The Chief Justice imposed a precondition that those who alleged the $10 million deposits namely, Harvey Keh, Rizza Hontiveros Baraquel and Walden Bello be subpoenaed together with Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

Atty. Esguerra revealed that Chief Justice Renato Corona decided to testify after seeing the documents submitted by Harvey Keh which Corona said are all falsifications.

Corona is taking a big risk because he will be subjected to searing cross examination questions by Senators Frank Drilon, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Serge Osmeña, Ping Lacson, Koko Pimentel and Allan Peter Cayetano to begin with.

But if he gives credible answers, it will be a turning point in his favor.

At least, the public will see a dramatic ending to a 5-month oftentimes boring trial.

Day 35 of the impeachment trial concluded with the defense presenting 4 witnesses but whose testimonies were cut short by Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile for being irrelevant.

The Senate approved the recall of DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima, denying a request of Prosecutor Niel Colmenares to deny the defense request for her re-appearance.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada reiterated the call of several Senators for CJ Corona to testify.

The defense presented a 7-page motion for Sen. Edgardo Angara to inhibit himself because of conflict of interest due to the fact that his son Rep. Sonny Angara is a complainant and is a spokesperson for the prosecution.

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COLORFUL OPENING . . The 2012 Palarong Pambansa opened on Monday at the Narciso Ramos Sports Complex in Lingayen, Pangasinan with President Benigno S. Aquino III as guest of honor.

In his short 10-minute speech, interrupted 3 times by incessant coughing, President Aquino pledged all out support to the Philippine Sports Commission roadmap 2011-2016. He also assured the holding of Batang Pinoy National Games and also Philippine National Games.

Present at the colorful opening ceremonies hosted by Gov. Amado Espino Jr., were Ex-President Fidel V. Ramos, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro and all top DepEd officials, DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo and Amb. Amadito Perez Jr.

Representatives Jesus Celeste, Leopoldo Bataoil, Rachel Arenas, Gina de Venecia, Kimi Cojuangco, Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy, Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin, Laguna Gov. E.R. Ejercito Estregan, Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang, POC Chairman Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., PSC Chairman Richie Garcia and Vice Gov. Jose Calimlim Jr. were present.

All Pangasinan provincial board members and municipal mayors were present. Leading the provincial board members were Alfonso Bince Jr., Ranjit Shahani, Salvador Perez Jr., Raul Sison, Napoleon C. Fontelera Jr., Teofilo Humilde Jr., Angel G. Baniqued, Von Mark R. Mendoza, Generoso D. Tulagan Jr., Jeremy Agerico B. Rosario, Mojamito R. Libunao, Clemente Niño B. Arboleda Jr., Danilo C. Uy and Amadeo T. Espino.

Among the mayors present were Amadeo Perez IV of Urdaneta, Labradita Abrenica of Villasis, Lorenzo Cerezo of Binmaley, Dr. Alfonso Celeste of Bolinao, Ernesto Castaneda of Lingayen, Irene Libunao of San Fabian, Teodoro Ramos of Sta. Maria, Napoleon Sales of Manaoag, Artemio Chan of Pozorrubio, Noel Nacar of Dasol and Amado Espino III of Bautista.

Congratulations to Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and his staff for a job well done.                 

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CORRUPTION AT BUCOR . . An inter-agency fact-finding panel found probable cause to file criminal and administrative charges against Bureau of Corrections Director, Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan and 6 other officials.

Pangilinan is alleged to have violated the Anti-graft and Procurement Laws for a P1.4 million renovation contract of the Administration building without proper public bidding.

The report dated April 9 has been submitted to Malacañang for decision.

This is a good opportunity for President Aquino to show that he will not tolerate wrong doing by his appointees.

Malacañang should immediately order the filing of charges and relieve Pangilinan, the same way former BuCor Director Ernesto Diokno was relieved.

The irregularities were exposed by Prison Guard Kabungsuan Makilala who exposed several anomalies done by Pangilinan.

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PREMATURE . . It was a mistake to open the NAIA 3 for commercial operations even when it is still incomplete. The Tulfo-Raymart incident showed the CCTV cameras were not working. The escalators are not working, making passengers walk long distances to the baggage claim counter. There are not enough chairs in the pre-departure area. There is the continuing danger that the ceiling may collapse. DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas must take action to remedy these deficiencies.

Let us not wait for the Japanese contractors to make the CCTV system operational. DOTC and NAIA should install them soonest. The same for the escalators. Add golf cart vehicles to transport senior citizens and disabled passengers.

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MORE HUNGRY PEOPLE . . SWS reported that 4.8 million people claimed they are experiencing hunger in March, reflecting increase to 23.8% from 22.5% in December.

SWS reported this new record surpassing the previous high of 23.7% in December 2008.

Again we say, the CCT program is not making a dent on the problem of poverty and hunger of poor Filipinos.

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TIDBITS . . . Sen. Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile, a former Secretary of Justice, said the murder of a witness under the witness protection program is unforgivable. Sec. de Lima should be held accountable.

President Aquino resurrected the sleeping Ruby Barrameda case and ordered it to be activated for trial.

Greetings to avid readers Cong. Carmelo Lazatin, Rey Pineda, Amy Espino, Darwina Sampang, and Troy Umali of Pangasinan, Fred Reyes of Dagupan, Engr. Labao, Joel Longares and Felipe Barredo of Capiz.

Happy birthday to Mayor Tony Calixto of Pasay. Also to Isauro “Boy” San Pedro Jr. of Cainta.