By A month into the impeachment trial, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday says Chief Justice Renato Corona is already way “overdue.”
In his speech at La Consolacion College in celebration of the anniversary of Tagumpay ng Bayan, Aquino challenged Corona to reveal all the questioned documents to prove whether or not he is guilty of committing an impeachable offense.
“Kung wala kang ginawang mali, wala kang dapat itago. Kayo nga po ang tanungin ko: Ganito ba umasta ang isang taong dapat walang katakutan? Pahirapan ang paghagilap sa kanyang SALN, at hanggang ngayon, pilit niyang inililihim ang kanyang mga accounts tulad ng mga dollar accounts,” Aquino said.
He added, “Sabi niya, in due time ilalabas niya ang mga dokumento. Mawalang-galang na po, Ginoong Corona, marami pang naunang taon na nagpasa kayo ng SALN na puno ng katanungan. Kailan po ba ang due time? Mukha po yatang overdue ka na.”
The president noted that a month has passed since the trial started and it seemed that defense has been intentionally confusing and misleading the public until they lose interest.
“Simple lang naman po ang tanong na nais sagutin ng paglilitis na ito: Dapat pa ba tayong magtiwala sa kaniya? ‘Di ho ba tayong lahat ay mapapasabing: naman. Ginoong Corona, sana naman po ay huwag n’yo na kaming paikutin,” Aquino said.
He noted that based on the trial, it is clear that Corona did not truthfully declare his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth.
In his 2010 SALN, Corona declared P3.5 million cash asset. However, bank officials have testified that the chief justice have three bank accounts containing P31.5 million in 2010.
“Lilinawin ko lang po: Walang personalan dito; sistemang pangkatarungan ang ipinaglalaban dito. At dahil malaki ang pagbabagong ating hinahangad, malaki rin po ang kinakabangga natin,” Aquino said.
The president added, “Ang tungkulin natin ay ibalik ang piring ng katarungan, at gawing balanse ang timbangan. Huwag na po sana nating hintayin na tayo mismo ang maagrabyado. Manindigan na po tayo ngayon.”
Senator-judges have been urged to refrain from issuing “unnecessary” statements so as not to jeopardize the impeachment trial where Chief Justice Renato Corona is set to testify Tuesday.
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