Corona, wife to testify in impeachment trial?

MANILA, Philippines - Chief Justice Renato Corona is mulling the possibility of him and his wife testifying in the impeachment trial as he meets with his lawyers again today to map out legal strategy to controvert the testimonies and evidence pertaining to his alleged bank accounts and properties.

Ramon Esguerra, one of Corona’s lawyers, said Mrs. Cristina Corona is the ideal witness on the issue of Basa-Guidote Enterprises, which the defense claimed was the source of funds in the Chief Justice’s bank accounts.

Depending on the results of today’s meeting with the legal team, Esguerra said Corona’s defense team will decide whether they will need Mrs. Corona to testify. 

“Being that she can best explain the intramurals of the stockholders… in the two cases… in the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and the intra-corporate controversies,” Esguerra explained.

Esguerra and another defense lawyer Tranquil Salvador III said the defense is considering the testimony of the Chief Justice, “which will be at least the last.”

“The people are waiting for the CJ. We have said it, if ever he (Corona) will be presented, he will be the last. In the end probably we will present him,” Salvador said.

Esguerra said Corona and his lawyers will meet again today to plan legal strategy in the presentation of witnesses and evidence before the impeachment trial resumes on March 12.

Also, the appearance of the Corona couple will likely be decided today.

Salvador said the defense will be presenting a witness in relation to Basa-Guidote Enterprises, subject of a tug-of-war between Mrs. Corona and some of her relatives.

“There might be need to present a witness who will testify on Basa-Guidote to reaffirm by independent evidence that the questioned funds are not that of the Chief Justice,” Salvador said in another interview with The STAR. He did not elaborate.