Prosecution presents evidence of CJ properties

MANILA, Philippines – The prosecution panel in the impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Renato Corona continues the presentation of evidence on the alleged multi-million peso properties of the chief magistrate and his family.

On the eight day of the impeachment trial today, the prosecution presented Megaworld financial executive Giovanni Ng as its first witness, who testified on the properties of the Coronas in McKinley Hill and Bellagio in Taguig City.

Ng presented deed of sale of the Mckinley property which was under the name of Corona's daughter, Charina, but was paid by Corona and his wife, Cristina.

The sale of the property was done sometime 2009, Ng told the Senate impeachment court.

The second witness was Constante Caluya Jr., Makati register of deeds, who disclosed on the properties of the Coronas in The Column in Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

The prosecution also managed to present their third witness, Aniceto Bisnar Jr. of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation.

Bisnar testified on the alleged properties of Corona at Spanish Bay Tower in Fort Bonifacio, which where purchase for P9.1 million.

Earlier in the hearing, the prosecution asked the court for them to be allowed to re-order the presentation of evidence of the Articles of Impeachment.

This time, the prosecution wanted that the presentation of evidence will be in the following manner: Article 2, 3, 7, 1, 8, 4, 5, and 6.

Earlier, the House prosecutors asked the court to be allowed to present the evidence in the following manner: Article 2, 1, 7, 1, 8, 4, 5, and 6.

Defense lead counsel Serafin Cuevas however protested in the move of the prosecution. However, Presiding Senator-Judge Juan Ponce Enrile allowed the prosecution's request in the name of the liberality of the court.

"The chair will allow the reordering of presentation of evidence of the prosecution. This time I suppose the prosecution panel is familiar with the (case) storyline," he said.

The impeachment court also decided not to compel the property developers to show documents on transactions except those of Chief Justice Renato Corona. (With Dennis Carcamo)