Renato Corona's Dollar Account

A spokeswoman of Chief Justice Renato Corona's defense team on Friday said Malacañang should not meddle with Corona's dollar accounts because it is not a crime to own one.

Atty. Karen Jimeno said President Aquino cannot dictate on Corona whether or not he can have a dollar account. This, after the President challenged Corona on Friday to present information on his dollar accounts if he has nothing to hide.

Jimeno said the money in Corona's dollar accounts were part of his savings before he became Chief Justice. Then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Corona as an associate justice of the Supreme Court in April 2002. She named him chief justice in May 2010.

Jimeno said the defense, when they present their witnesses, will have a chance to explain the accounts of Corona.

On Thursday, the SC voted 8-5 to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) from releasing records of Corona's alleged foreign currency deposits.

Under the Foreign Currency Deposit Act, a disclosure of foreign currency bank accounts can only be made upon written permission from the depositor.

The senator-judges have scheduled a caucus on February 13, Monday at 11 a.m. to discuss the SC order.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, meanwhile, warned the Senate against deferring to the SC order stopping the opening of Corona's dollar deposits.

"It won't stop. Ngayon foreign currency deposits. Nagpaparinig na ang defense, sabi nila even in the peso accounts, they are going to say 'It's a fishing expedition.' What will stop them now from going to the SC and say 'Your honors, the peso accounts, while it has been revealed, was a product of the fruit of the poisonous tree.' That's another question of law. The SC will say, 'Teka, we have jurisdiction. We are going to rule on that.'

"They will emasculate every order of the Senate. That is why it is untenable for the Senate to consider to even defer to the Supreme Court even in interlocutory orders because the basis is grave abuse of discretion. E kung sa final judgment sabihin nila may grave abuse of discretion, di paano na?"

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com

Renato Corona SALN

Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona's net worth jumped from P14.9 million in 2002 to P22.9 million in 2010, according to documents submitted to the impeachment court on Wednesday.

Based on Corona's 2010 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) turned over by Supreme Court Clerk of Court Enriqueta Vidal, Corona bought a condominium in Makati in 2003 worth P1.2 million, a condominium in Taguig in 2004 worth P2.3 million, and another condominium in Taguig in 2010 worth P6.8 million.

These prime properties were purchased purportedly on installment after Corona was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2002 by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. His net worth has gone up by P8 million since his appointment to the high court.

Corona's net worth has been rising since 2004, based on his SALNs.

Corona's net worth was P7.3 million in 2004. It went up to P8.3 million in 2005, P9.5 million in 2006, P11 million in 2007, P12.5 million in 2008, P14.5 million in 2009, and P22.9 million in 2010.

The condominium in Makati is believed to be a unit in The Columns, Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

The 2 condominiums in Taguig City are believed to be a unit at Bonifacio Ridge and a unit in Bellagio Tower.

Corona has admitted to owning a 300-square meter apartment in The Fort, Taguig, and that he has declared this in his SALN "when they acquired it," according to his reply to the impeachment complaint.

He has also admitted to owning 4 other properties from a Land Registration Authority (LRA) list of 45 properties released by House prosecutors last week.

Undeclared properties

After getting copies of Corona's SALN, House chief prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas said Corona did not declare 6 supposedly big-ticket properties in his SALN.

This was Tupas’ initial assessment of the SALNs after these were obtained by the Senate impeachment court.

He said the documents show that while some properties were declared, others were misdeclared with a lower value.

He also said he did not see the Bellagio Tower property specifically stated in the SALN.

Tupas said he would like to leave it to the senator-judges to appreciate the SALNs.

House prosecutors also said the 5 properties Corona has admitted to owning in his public statements are worth over P18 million already, indicating that the properties were under-declared.

They also said the SALNs show that Corona has "undeclared assets," and that he could not have afforded the properties under his name.

Rep. Sonny Angara, one of the spokesmen for the prosecution, said Article 2 of the impeachment complaint is all about the "hidden wealth" of Corona.

Prosecution panel spokesman Miro Quimbo said the SALNs show an intent to "deceive on the part of the chief justice."

'Declared in SALN'

Meanwhile, SC spokesman Midas Marquez said Corona already said in previous interviews that he has only 5 real estate properties, which he declared in his SALN.

He said the fact that Vidal brought Corona's SALNs to the impeachment trial shows she had every intention of complying with the subpoena of the Senate impeachment court.

He said Vidal did not have time to consult with the SC en banc before going to the Senate on Wednesday.

Marquez said the guidelines of the 1989 SC resolution show that the SALNs of the justices can be released as long as it is not used for fishing expeditions or harassment purposes.

"We would like to think subpoenas issued by court are not for fishing expeditions or for harassment. These are valid court processes that we have to comply with," he said.

Former Justice Undersecretary Ramon Esguerra, one of Corona's defense lawyers, said the disclosure actually proves their point that Corona was filing his SALNs with the Supreme Court Clerk of Court, and did not violate the law.

"On the part of the appointee, there is no duty to disclose. The Clerk of Court also did not have any duty to disclose," he said.

He noted that Vidal said during her testimony that she had been receiving requests for the SALNs of the Supreme Court justices.

He said Vidal brought the requests to the SC en banc for proper guidance because she is bound by the guidelines of the Court.

The defense lawyer said Corona is actually the first Supreme Court magistrate to disclose his SALN in public even before the SC en banc could rule on various requests for the justices' SALNs.

He said Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Maria Lourdes Sereno merely issued summaries of their assets, liabilities and net worth, and not their SALNs, to the media.

Prosecution spokesman Angara said it was the first time in 22 years that a Supreme Court justice's SALN was disclosed to the public. source: ABS-CBN News

Watch the Live Coverage of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s Impeachment Trial

Where to Watch the Live Coverage of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment trial? January 16, is the start of the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

A lot of local media outfits will cover and air the live coverage of the trial not only here in the Philippines but in certain parts of the world. Here are just some of them with the time of airing:

ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel) – Chief Justice on Trial, the ANC Coverage, uninterrupted live coverage starting on Monday, January 16, 1PM.

TALKtv (Channel 28 on Destiny Cable, Channel 16 on Sky, SBN 21 on UHF) – Hosted by @piahontiveros and @jingmagsaysay starts at 12noon, January 16.

GMA News TV International – 2:00-6:00PM PHL time
3:00 – 7:00pm (LIVE) – Japan
4:00 – 8:00pm (LIVE) – Guam
5:00 – 9:00pm (LIVE) – Australia
7:00 – 11:00pm (LIVE) – New Zealand

PTV4 – starting Monday at 2PM

GMA News TV Channel 11, Mondays to Thursdays, 2 to 6 pm beginning this Monday, January 16, 2012.

Chief Justice on Trial: The ANC Live Coverage of Renato Corona Impeachment Trial

Chief Justice Renato Corona Impeachment Trial Airs Live in ANC Channel.

In 2000, ANC launched a pioneering coverage of the impeachment trial of then-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, where it devoted every necessary resource and manpower to become the only channel to cover the hearings from start to finish.

This year, ANC is mounting another important coverage as it presents “Chief Justice on Trial, the ANC Coverage,” a wall-to-wall, uninterrupted live coverage of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona starting on Monday, January 16, 1 p.m.

Veteran political reporter and news anchor Lynda Jumilla and impeachment expert and Harvard alumnus Atty. Adel Tamano will be broadcasting from the senate for the duration of the trial. Broadcast journalists Karen Davila and Tony Velasquez will team up with legal experts in giving timely updates as they anchor from the ANC studio.

Prior to the coverage proper, a full hour of primers will be delivered at 1 p.m. They will include a backgrounder on the impeachment process and the profiles of the trial’s key players such as the defense team, the prosecutors, the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Corona himself. Also to be looked into are other components crucial to the proceedings such as the senator-judges and their possible votes and the rift between Corona and President Benigno Aquino III.

ANC will be extending its reach by delivering up-to-date news on Twitter via @ancalerts (#CJonTrial) and ANC 24/7 on Facebook. It will also be simulcast on Studio 23 and streamed live over abs-cbnnews.com.

Supplementary to the live coverage are ANC programs that will provide in-depth analyses of the proceedings. Atty. Adel Tamano’s “Tamano Perspective” will present the highlights, summary and analyses of the week’s impeachment hearings every Thursday at 7 p.m. Lynda Jumilla, meanwhile, will provide a weekly rundown on the progress of the trial on “ANC Presents: Chief Justice on Trial” every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, award-winning broadcast journalist and advocate Bernadette Sembrano will be joining veteran broadcaster Tony Velasquez as co-anchor on ANC’s “Top Story”. The program, which provides details on the biggest, most compelling stories in the nation, airs every weekday at 5 p.m.

Stay informed and watch crucial developments unfold live on “Chief Justice on Trial: the ANC Coverage” starting Monday, January 16, at 1 p.m. on ANC (SkyCable ch. 27).

Watch Chief Justice Renato Corona Impeachment Live on ANC Channel.

Powerhouse lawyers to defend Corona

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas will lead a powerhouse cast who will defend Chief Justice Renato Corona in his impeachment trial next year, ABS-CBN News sources said.

Joining him is lawyer Eduardo de los Angeles, former Ateneo College of Law Dean. He is also a member of Corona’s fraternity, Ateneo’s Fraternal Order of Utopia.

Cuevas, 83, worked as justice secretary under the administration of former President Joseph Estrada. He was an associate justice during the Marcos administration.

Cuevas is a known lawyer of the influential Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) and a former chairman of New Era University, which was established by the INC.

De los Angeles, on the other hand, was one of the private prosecutors during Estrada’s impeachment trial.

Both are known for their extensive experience in litigation.

Joining their team are former Court of Appeals Justice Hector Hofileña and former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Law Dean Jose “Judd” Roy III.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) considers Corona’s legal team very strong. IBP President Roan Libarios said, “We’re confident that he could adequately represent the Chief Justice. Nababahala kami sa IBP na sinasabi ng iba na dahil political process ito, they will rely on the public opinion.”

A team from the IBP was also offered to join the defense team, but had to beg off because they themselves believe that the impeachment complaint is defective.

IBP, the national organization of lawyers in the country, will lead an information drive to explain to the public the effects of the executive and legislative branches’ actions in maligning the Supreme Court.

Former Solicitor General Frank Chavez, on the other hand, said the fight is not all about legal speak.

“This is a battle of propaganda so kailangan maganda rin ang propaganda machineries of both sides,” he said.

Corona impeachment trial to last 6 months

Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona's impeachment trial in the Senate will last for a maximum of 6 months, Senator Francis Escudero said Wednesday.

"Wala na kaming mapapasang batas kung lumampas pa dun," he said on ANC Primetime.

He said the Senate will not tolerate any moves to delay the impeachment proceedings.

Corona's impeachment trial in the Senate will start January 16.

Escudero said senators will first hear all 8 articles of impeachment against Corona before voting on each article.

He added that the actual voting process will be quick.

"Article 1, each will vote, 2 minutes to explain... then Article 2 (and so on)," he explained.

Under impeachment rules, 2/3 of the Senate, or 16 senators, must find Corona guilty on any one of the 8 articles of impeachment filed against him by the lower House.

Escudero said a senator may find Corona guilty in one article and declare him innocent in another.

Corona needs to be declared innocent in all 8 articles of impeachment before he walks free.

He will lose his post if he is found guilty of even just 1 of the 8 allegations against him.

"Sana matapos itong impeachment para maipakita natin to the public and to the world we can finish a process we started," Escudero said. "Hopefully once the trial commences, people will see the process is being followed."

He asked for sobriety from the Palace and Corona's camp and urged them to "act responsibly."

While he didn't directly mention a gag order once the trial starts, Escudero said he expects Corona and Aquino administration officials to air their sides during the trial proper.

He also frowned at protests launched by Corona's supporters. "If they will be doing this on a regular basis until judgment is rendered, there's something wrong with that."

He said senators are free to discuss the trial process, but not the merits of the case or their votes on the articles of impeachment.

Escudero also defended the impeachment process.

"The essence of impeachment is accountability. Walang ibang paraan na tanggalin sila sa pwesto maliban dito," he said. "The good thing about a public hearing is the people get to be judges also. They'll hear the evidence firsthand."

Source: ABS-CBNNews

Who signed Corona impeachment complaint

LIST OF 188 LAWMAKERS WHO SIGNED THE IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT AGAINST SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE RENATO CORONA

1. Tupas, Niel Jr.
2. Umali, Reynaldo
3. Abaya, Joseph Emilio
4. Del Rosario, Antonio
5. Bag-ao, Arlene
6. Teodoro, Marcelino
7. Castelo, Winston
8. Arago, Maria Evita
9. Golez, Roilo
10. Lacson-Noel, Josephine Veronique
11. Cerilles, Aurora
12. Calixto-Rubiano, Emi
13. Bello, Walden
14. Hataman-Salliman, Jim
15. Catamco, Nancy
16. Lanete, Scott Davies
17. Valencia, Rodolfo
18. Noel, Florencio
19. Mendoza, Mark
20. Gatchalian, Rex
21. Gonzales, Aurelio Jr.
22. Ferrer, Jeffrey
23. Fuentes, Daisy
24. Yu, Victor
25. Rodriguez, Isidro Jr.
26. Angping, Zenaida
27. Espina, Rogelio
28. Ramos, Deogracias Jr.
29. Cortuna, Julieta
30. Zamora-Apsay, Maria Carmen
31. Garay, Florencio
32. Mercado, Roger
33. Roman, Herminia
34. Garin, Janette
35. Gonzales, Neptali II
36. De Venecia, Gina
37. Cojuangco, Enrique
38. Herrera-Dy, Bernadette
39. Loong, Tupay
40. Bernos, Ma. Jocelyn
41. Sahidulla, Nur-ana
42. Balindong, Pangalian
43. Guanlao, Agapito
44. Garcia Albano, Mylene
45. Arenas, Ma. Rachel
46. Cojuangco, Kimi
47. Yap, Susan
48. Go, Ana Cristina
49. Alvarez, Antonio
50. Tomawis, Acmad
51. Ungab, Isidro
52. Go, Arnulfo
53. Magsaysay, Eulogio
54. Sacdalan, Jesus
55. Malapitan, Oscar
56. Sakaluran, Raden
57. Alvarez, Mercedes
58. Benitez, Alfred
59. Ferriol, Abigail Faye
60. Treñas, Jerry
61. Sarmiento, Mel Senen
62. Joson, Josefina
63. Fuentebella, Arnulfo
64. Lapus, Jesi
65. Olivarez, Edwin
66. Gomez, Lucy
67. Lopez, Carlo
68. Mendoza, Joselito
69. Cerafica, Arnel
70. Climaco, Maria Isabelle
71. Robes, Arturo
72. Relampagos, Rene
73. Apacible, Tomas
74. Miraflores, Florencio
75. Haresco, Teodorico
76. Fortuno, Salvio
77. Paras, Jesus
78. Agyao, Manuel
79. Acop, Romeo
80. San Luis, Edgar
81. Maliksi, Erineo
82. Loyola, Roy
83. Palmones, Angelo
84. Almonte, Jorge
85. Javier, Paolo
86. Ocampos, Loreto Leo
87. Lico, Isidro
88. Celeste, Jesus
89. Ping-ay, Jose
90. Singson, Ryan Luis
91. Payuyo, Ponciano
92. Belmonte, Vicente
93. Bulut-Begtang, Eleanor
94. Cosalan, Ronald
95. Collantes, Nelson
96. Quimbo, Romero
97. Vergara, Bernardo
98. Gonzalez, Fernando
99. Arquiza, Godofredo
100. Lagdameo, Antonio
101. Ferrer, Antonio
102. Quisumbing, Gabriel
103. Asilo, Benjamin
104. Alfonso, Baby Aline
105. Arnaiz, George
106. Ting, Randolph
107. Teves, Henry
108. Daza, Raul
109. Violago, Joseph
110. Villarica, Linabelle Ruth
111. Chipeco, Justin
112. Batocabe, Rodel
113. Garbin, Alfredo Jr.
114. Limkaichong, Jocelyn
115. Madrona, Eleandro
116. Sarmiento, Cesar
117. Kho, David
118. Ortega, Francisco Emmanuel III
119. Montejo, Neil
120. Estrella, Robert
121. Garcia, Albert
122. Aggabao, Giorgidi
123. Abayon, Daryl Grace
124. Puno, Roberto
125. Barzaga, Elpidio
126. Eriguel, Eufranio
127. Velarde, Mariano Michael
128. Tieng, Irwin
129. Piamonte, Mariano Jr.
130. Pancho, Pedro
131. Plaza, Maria Valentina
132. Salvacion, Andres
133. Emano, Yevgeny
134. Dayanghirang, Nelson
135. Mendoza, Raymond
136. Biron, Ferjenel
137. Enverga, Mark
138. Cabaluna, Salvador III
139. Mercado, Homer
140. Zubiri, Jose III
141. Antonio, Patricio
142. Cua, Dakila
143. Velasco, Lord Allan Jay
144. Acharon, Pedro Jr.
145. Evardone, Ben
146. Abad, Henedina
147. De Jesus, Emerenciana
148. Palatino, Raymond
149. Tinio, Antonio
150. Briones, Nicanor
151. Colmenares, Neri Javier
152. Casiño, Teodoro
153. Cajayon, Mary Mitzi
154. Lopez, Carol Jayne
155. Banal, Jorge
156. Alcala, Irvin
157. Benaldo, Benjo
158. Cabilao Yambao, Jonathan
159. Tañada, Lorenzo III
160. Unabio, Peter
161. Paez, Cresente
162. Bataoil, Leopoldo
163. Bagatsing, Amado
164. Ledesma, Julio
165. Sema, Bai Sandra
166. Amatong, Rommel
167. Garin, Sharon
168. Crisologo, Vincent
169. Umali, Czarina
170. Dy, Napoleon
171. Rivera, Michael
172. Belmonte, Feliciano
173. Nava, Joaquin Carlos
174. Ejercito, Joseph Victor
175. Jaafar, Nur
176. Primicias-Agabas, Marlyn
177. Del Mar, Rachel
178. Ponce Enrile, Juan Jr.
179. Golez, Anthony
180. Mariano, Rafael
181. Unico, Renato Jr.
182. Bonoan, Trisha
183. Bautista, Franklin
184. Salimbangon, Benhur
185. Durano, Ramon VI
186. Cruz-Gonzales, Cinchona
187. Tugna, Sherwin
188. Angara, Juan Edgardo (signed the complaint but said he abstained
because his father, Senator Edgardo Angara, will be a judge in the
impeachment court)

Source:  ABS-CBN News

Gloria Arroyo visit Merci after impeach vote

Political analyst Prof. Edmund Tayao believes the alleged visit of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez hours after the House of Representatives voted in favor of her impeachment is another nick to her already beaten image.

Tayao said impeachment is a political process and public perception plays a big role. The trial at the Senate has yet to start, but public perception is already against the Ombudsman, he said.

"Public perception is against the Ombudsman, hindi mabuti para sa kanya ang pagpunta ni GMA pagkatapos ng botohan sa impeachment case. If you are one of the personalities in this impeachment case, you should be careful with what you say and be careful to be seen in public with whoever,” he said.

“Pwede naman na nag-usap nalang sila sa ibang lugar o nagkita, tumawag sa telepono para wala sanang nakakita sa kanila. Kung marami raw kasi ang nakakita, hindi maiiwasan na i-spin nila na kakampi ni Gutierrez si Arroyo,” he added.

Tayao added that people can only speculate what the two talked about during the alleged visit.

Gutierrez refused to comment on the issue.

"The Ombudsman will not dignify such a malicious rumor with a comment," said Anna Sanchez, media officer from the Office of the Ombudsman.

An anonymous caller purporting to be a neighbor of Gutierrez contacted ABS-CBN this morning and alleged Mrs. Arroyo visited Ombudsman Gutierrez.

ABS-CBN visited the Ombudsman's neighborhood in Santa Ana, Manila and residents and barangay officials confirmed seeing the former president. However, they refused to face the camera for fear of retribution.

Two men identified by a barangay official as security guards working for the residential building owned by the family of Ombudsman Gutierrez's husband approached the ABS-CBN team and took their names.

They also took photographs of the news team using a small handy-camera.

Aquino urges public support for Merci impeachment

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III urged the public today to support the impeachment process against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, his strongest statement yet regarding the matter.

In a speech before the business leaders of Northern Mindanao, Aquino said “We are working to eliminate corruption in our institutions…We are trying to create an environment where this does not happen, where no one questions the legitimacy of such deals, and where nothing needs to be undone later on.”

He said this environment is where the right person can do his or her work to prosecute cases similar to the NBN-ZTE, Megapacific and NAIA-3 scandals.

The Ombudsman was impeached by the House of Representatives early Tuesday. She is accused of betrayal of public trust due to her low conviction rate and inaction on the NBN-ZTE scam, fertilizer fund scandal, "Euro generals" scandal, Mega-Pacific deal, and the Philip Pestaño case.

Malacanang is being lambasted for supposedly using its powers to pressure allies in the House of Representatives to vote in favor of the impeachment against Gutierrez.

The overwhelming 212 votes obtained on Tuesday morning were beyond expectations. Some expressed sentiments, however, that this will not translate to the same in the Senate.

In the same speech, the President reiterated his campaign pledge to establish a government of reform.

He claimed that he has delivered on his promise. “We are delivering on these promises, and this has redounded to significant improvements in many areas of concern, specially our economy,” Aquino said.

He cited, for example, a recent Citibank study that included the Philippines as one of 11 countries with the most promising growth prospects per capita.

Senate OKs rules on Gutierrez impeachment trial

The Senate approved on Wednesday the rules for the impeachment trial of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in May.

The amended rules include a provision specifying that senators must adhere to the principle of "political neutrality, defined as the "exercise of public official duty without unfair discrimination and regardless of party affiliation."

Senators, witnesses, members of the prosecution and defense panels, and the accused are also expected to refrain from talking in public about the merits of the case or grant interviews while the trial is ongoing.

However, no specific provisions on the issue were added to the rules.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, sitting as the presiding officer, will render his vote at the end of the trial, unlike in the Estrada impeachment trial in 2000 where the presiding officer – then Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. – was not allowed to vote by the rules.

A new provision also states that visitors must observe silence during the trial or risk being sent out of the trial venue.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said the trial, which could last from 2 to 3 months, would cost P15 million.

The Senate will use its savings to fund the trial, according to Enrile.

The articles of impeachment were formally submitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

The complaint was no longer referred to the committee level but was adopted by the Senate as a whole body.

Merci resign signature drive launched

Former Scout Ranger chief retired Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim has launched a signature campaign to force Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to resign from her position.

Lim, who is a now Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office consultant who was linked to 2 plots to overthrow the Arroyo government, said a number of people have already signed in the campaign drive.

The campaign was launched a day after the House impeached Gutierrez for alleged wrongdoings.

"We all saw the voting last night (at the House of Representatives). The sentiment of our people was overwhelming, as represented by their congressmen. There is strong clamor for her impeachment. She was in fact impeached and the articles of impeachment will now be forwarded to the Senate," Lim said.

"We urge her to resign to spare the country from another long and divisive experience. Our signature campaign is ongoing for her resignation," he added.

Interviewed after filing his application for amnesty in Camp Aguinaldo, Lim could not say how many signatures they have gained so far.

"We are now starting to go around for those who want to support and sign for this movement," he said, adding that all, including soldiers, are free to sign.

"All are welcome to sign, may they be soldiers or not," said Lim. "Our target is gather one million signatures. We will present this to public so the Ombudsman will be pressure to vacate her position," he said.

Ombudsman Gutierrez Impeachement Update

For the first time in Philippine history, the House of Representatives has impeached the Ombudsman.

In a vote taken on Tuesday morning, the House of Representatives mustered more than enough votes to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and try her before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

As the court that would hear the case, the Senate would need a two-thirds vote to boot Gutierrez out of office. Otherwise, she stays on as Ombudsman until she finishes her 7-year term in December 2012.

Lawmakers found enough evidence to have her tried for the following issues: low conviction rate and inaction on the NBN-ZTE scam, fertilizer fund scandal, "Euro generals" scandal, Mega-Pacific deal, and the Philip Pestaño case.

All six cases redound to a betrayal of public trust, sponsors of the Articles of Impeachment argued.

After almost 8 hours, 212 voted to impeach Gutierrez and have the impeachment articles transmitted to the Senate.

Forty-six dissented, while 4 abstained.



Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III told ANC that the final was corrected after some votes were mistakenly recorded.



Only 95 votes or one-third of the House members were needed to impeach.

The proceedings were hounded by accusations of lobbying from allies of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Earlier in the day, Rep. Edcel Lagman moved to have the impeachment proceedings “held in abeyance” absent an investigation into the “blackmail” text messages that made the rounds over the weekend.

Taking the floor early in the proceedings, Lagman said the text message “demeans the members of the House of Representatives as salivating mercenaries.”

The text message read that all those will vote no on the impeachment will have their Priority Development Assistance Fund withheld.

The minority was subsequently overruled by the majority.

Justice committee chair Niel Tupas Jr., the sponsor of the impeachment complaint, was later grilled for about 3 hours.

He stood his ground even if several minority lawmakers insisted he and his colleagues in the Justice committee did not have a strong case.

He was also questioned for supposedly rushing procedures before the committee. It went on to hear the case even if the Supreme Court has yet to make final a decision quashing a petition filed by Gutierrez.

Tupas insisted that it was the Ombudsman who is wanting in providing justice by delaying relevant decisions.

Those who acted as interpellators were: Representatives Lagman, Danilo Suarez, Rodante Marcoleta, Carlos Padilla, Augusto Syjuco, Rodolfo Albano, Mitos Magsaysay and Marc Cagas.



Palace welcomes Gutierrez impeachment

Malacañang, in a press statement, said the House of Representatives made history by approving the articles of impeachment against Gutierrez.

"By doing so, the House has put an end to the long era of impunity that tarnished our institutions and made a mockery of the bedrock principle of accountability enshrined in our Constitution," Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.

"No one is above scrutiny and no one, particularly the brazen, can escape accountability," he added.

"The House, in transmitting the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, now has the task to vigorously and effectively make its case to the combined juries of the Senate sitting as the Court of Impeachment, and to the Filipino people who will be sitting in judgment on the entire process. This is the glory of democracy: where the law applies to all, where scrutiny exempts no one, and where accountability is for our institutions to exact," Lacierda said.

Senators had said the impeachment trial would most likely start when session resumes in May. Congress adjourns on March 25.