No need to sign waiver - Enrile

MANILA, Philippines - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday he is not signing any waiver to open his bank accounts and described the move of ex-chief justice Renato Corona as mere “theatrics.”

Enrile said a waiver to allow the ombudsman to look into his assets is included in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Enrile declared his total net worth at P117,726,369 in his 2011 SALN. He also listed the companies under the JAKA Investments Corp.

Sen. Francis Escudero pushed for the passage of his bill that would automatically allow the release of the SALNs of senators.

Escudero said the experience of the impeachment trial against Corona should compel all 23 senators to approve the measure.

GMA to also sign waiver

As this developed, House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said opposition lawmakers, including former President and now Pampanga Rep Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, would follow Corona’s signing of a waiver.

“I don’t see any problem with the former president signing a waiver,” Suarez said.

Suarez signed a waiver to allow the opening of his bank accounts during a press briefing yesterday.

He said this would allow the office of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to furnish “any and all parties a copy of my latest and previous (statements of) assets liabilities and net worth upon their written request.”

He said he does not have a dollar account or other foreign currency deposits.

“Many senator-judges and officials of the administration keep on saying that they give due credit to the statement of the chief justice to open his (peso and dollar accounts) for public consumption and transparency, so let’s open ours,” Suarez said.

He said those examining his SALN might be surprised to see a P91 million entry on transportation. He said this represents the value of two helicopters that he co-owns with five other people, including celebrity host Willie Revillame.

The minority bloc earlier challenged the 188 lawmakers who signed the impeachment complaint against Corona to sign waivers on the records of their wealth ahead of the opposition lawmakers.

Gov’t officials, employees should also sign waiver– Erap

Former President Joseph Estrada said all government officials and employees should also sign a waiver to ensure transparency in government.

“All public officials should be subjected to a waiver. From the president, vice president, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, councilors down to barangay captains and kagawads. The rule of law applies to all,” Estrada told The STAR.

“I am open to that. I will have my assets and accounts published,” he added.

Estrada said the guilty verdict handed down by the Senate impeachment court on Corona for culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust should let the country move forward.

He said Corona should also accept the verdict because he was given the chance to defend himself.

“Not like me, I was not allowed to testify, I was unconstitutionally removed after the prosecutors in my impeachment case walked out. They also created a special division of the Sandiganbayan to convict me,” Estrada said.– With Jose Rodel Clapano, Paolo Romero