Not impeachable crimes

The 3rd week of the Corona impeachment trial has been finished with the prosecution still not presenting substantial evidence on Article 2 of the 8 Articles of Impeachment.

Just like the first 2 weeks, private prosecutors had a difficult time proving their case. Ironically, their own witness, Senior Vice President Noli Hernandez gave testimony for the defense when he testified that there was no P10 million discount from the original P24 million price of the 300 sq.m. Bellagio Condominium as Megaworld voluntarily reduced the price to P14.5 million because the unit was damaged by a typhoon and a standard 15% discount was given for a cash transaction.

With just one witness to go, the prosecution was not able to prove its earlier allegation that Corona owned 45 properties. Evidence was presented pointing to only 13 assets and 7 parking lots.

Sen. Jinggoy got Cong. Niel Tupas Jr. to admit he released the list of 45 assets.

The defense came out with evidence that Cristina Corona received P34.8 million from the City of Manila for an expropriated lot in Legarda Street, Sampaloc, Manila. Also, that Corona had sold 2 lots. That therefore, the Coronas had legitimate source of funds to buy condominiums.

Day 11 brought out the fact from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Joker Arroyo that not all crimes including perjury are impeachable because they are not high crimes.

A total of 10 witnesses have been presented so far, raising the probability that even if only 50% of the list of 100 witnesses is called by the prosecution, it would take up to the end of March for the prosecution to finish its case.

Senate Majority leader Vicente Sotto announced the Senate would go on a Holy Week break from March 24 to May 6.

Trial observers took note of the fact 8 or more senators asked questions every trial date consuming about one hour of the trial time.

Attendance at the trial has gone down with one half of the gallery seats now empty.

About 25 congressmen are attending the trial, causing quorum problems at the House. Besides the 11 Congressmen-Prosecutors, the following Congressmen have attended the trial: Speaker Sonny Belmonte, Deputy Speaker Noli Fuentebella, Rodolfo Albano (Isabela); Roilo Golez (Parañaque); Pedro Romualdo (Camiguin); Emmy Calixto Rubiano (Pasay); Edwin Olivares (Parañaque); Amado Bagatsing (Manila); Rachel Arenas (Pangasinan); Fatima Aliah Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte); Henry Cojuangco (Tarlac); Susan Yap (Tarlac); Tomas Apacible (Batangas); Mark Cagas, (Davao del Sur); Anton Lagdameo (Davao del Sur); Isidro Ungab (Davao City); Ted Haresco (Kasangga); Godofredo Arquiza (Senior Citizens); Rodante Marcoleta (Alagad); Florencio Flores (Bukidnon); Rene Relampagos (Bohol); Ronald Casalan (Benguet); Roger Mercado (Southern Leyte); Radan Sakularan (Sultan Kudarat); J.V. Ejercito (San Juan); Joselito Mendoza (Bulacan); Florencio Noel (An Waray) and Bernadette Herrera Dy (Bagong Henerasyon).

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NO CLEANUP… It looks like corruption is continuing in the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Korean fugitive, Kim Tae Dong, was allowed to be confined at St. Luke’s Global City from where he escaped or allowed to escape for a reported bribe of $2 million.

Just like the Ohara kidnapping case at the NBI, Secretary De Lima should order an investigation of this case. The BI investigation was whitewashed. Nobody has been charged. Commissioner Ricardo David has command responsibility here. Looks like the syndicates at BI are still doing business.

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ANOTHER MINDANAO KIDNAPPING… Two European tourists on bird watching in Tawi-Tawi, Elwold Horn, 52, of the Netherlands and Lorenzo Vinciguerra, 47, of Switzerland were abducted.

Chinoy businessman Delfin Chioa was stabbed to death inside his laundry shop in Tondo. PO1 Edchelle Ayon, 34, was shot dead at Baseco, Port Area by a jeepney driver. Architect Darwin Diego lost his new Mitsubishi Montero to carjackers at De la Fuente Street in Sampaloc, Manila.

The body of Juliet de la Cruz, 49, a teacher was found dead under a bridge in Calamba, Laguna. Former Vice Mayor Anthony Que, of Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur was shot dead in Poblacion Norte, San Ildefonso.

Zermin Abdullah, an employee of the Office of Southern Cultural Communities was shot dead in Cotabato City in what is suspected to be a political killing.

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CONTINUING SMUGGLING… Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima in a speech before the Management Association of the Philippines admitted a loss of P60 billion in taxes due to oil smuggling.

So, what has he done to reduce corruption in the Bureau of Customs? It is sad that after 4 months in office, New BOC Commissioner Rufino Biazon has done nothing to stop oil smuggling which is only centered in Subic and Mariveles.

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RICH CLERK… Bureau of Customs Clerk Paulino Elevado who has a salary of P9,646 a month was involved in a traffic altercation while driving a Porsche estimated to cost P6 million.

After the traffic accident, Elevado pursued the driver of the Innova beating him up and his companions and fired his gun.

There are disturbing reports that notorious Customs operators are now in the good graces of Commissioner Ruffy Biazon and Deputy Commissioner Danny Lim.

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TIDBITS… President Aquino has confirmed to friends he is dating Korean radio-TV personality Grace Lee, 29. He said she is very intelligent. His sisters have met her. Looks like he has finally found someone. Grace used to date former Malacañang Chief of Staff Mike Defensor. She admitted on TV that she’s shopping for a valentine gift for P-Noy.

Malacañang employees are complaining that the Chapel has been closed and no masses are being said thereat.

Prosecution Spokespersons Erin Tañada and Sonny Angara are running for the Senate most probably on the LP ticket.

Greetings to Santi Santos, Mayor Esther Bernos of Danglas, Abra, Myrna Azarias of Polillo City, Councilors Joy Dawis, Irma Alfonso, Re Fugoso and DJ Bagatsing of Manila.