Impeachment trial Impeachment of Renato Corona

1 impeachment trial

1.1 legal teams

1.1.1 prosecution
1.1.2 defense


1.2 opening day
1.3 holiday recess
1.4 january

1.4.1 january 16
1.4.2 january 17
1.4.3 january 18
1.4.4 january 19
1.4.5 january 24
1.4.6 january 25
1.4.7 january 26
1.4.8 january 30
1.4.9 january 31


1.5 february

1.5.1 february 1
1.5.2 february 2
1.5.3 february 6
1.5.4 february 7
1.5.5 february 8
1.5.6 february 9
1.5.7 february 13
1.5.8 february 14
1.5.9 february 15
1.5.10 february 16
1.5.11 february 20
1.5.12 february 21
1.5.13 february 22
1.5.14 february 23
1.5.15 february 27
1.5.16 february 28
1.5.17 february 29


1.6 march

1.6.1 break
1.6.2 march 12
1.6.3 march 13
1.6.4 march 14
1.6.5 march 15
1.6.6 march 16–18
1.6.7 march 19
1.6.8 march 20
1.6.9 march 21
1.6.10 march 22


1.7 summer recess
1.8 may

1.8.1 may 29


1.9 decision

impeachment trial

the senate received articles of impeachment on december 13. tupas , reynaldo umali delivered articles of impeachment, tupas saying process not railroaded.

employees of judiciary staged court holiday on december 13 in support of corona; meant many courts closed. in speech delivered in front of supreme court employees, corona branded aquino building dictatorship, stated not quit, , conviction result in aquino controlling 3 branches of government. executive replied via executive secretary edwin lacierda not out control branches of government wanted independent supreme court, told corona go on leave on absence, , impeachment not attack on judiciary. case of accountability against chief justice corona.

legal teams
prosecution

the prosecution team includes members of house of representatives, members of majority bloc, several private prosecutors. niel tupas, jr. chief of prosecution team.

the prosecutors house of representatives enlisted of private practitioners assist them; opposed defense, saying prosecutors house of representatives sole prosecutors . senate allowed existence of private prosecutors citing matter of rule , precedence . private prosecutors allowed assist public prosecutors in impeachment proceedings are:

mario bautista
arthur lim
demetrio custodio
jose benjamin panganiban
clarence jandoc
ernesto viovicente
frederick vallestero
winston ginez

the prosecution named representatives miro quimbo, lorenzo tañada iii , juan edgardo angara spokespersons.

defense

supreme court spokesperson jose midas marquez described corona s defense team powerhouse legal team .

ernesto jun francisco, jr. quit defense team feared previous dealings manny villar reason question loyalty cause.

opening day

the senate convened impeachment court first time on december 14. senators took oaths before senate president juan ponce enrile; ponce enrile sworn in antonio trillanes, youngest senator.

holiday recess

the next day, impeachment court served summons corona, received supreme court. 4 days later, vicente millora, former president of integrated bar of philippines (ibp), filed petition @ supreme court questioning constitutionality of pending trial, asking temporary restraining order (tro), , declare articles of impeachment null , void. millora contended impeachment case did not go through constitutional means passed undue haste, railroaded, fast-tracked, , signed not sworn 188 respondent lawmakers. prosecutors responded asking supreme court dismiss petition. additional petitions questioning constitutionality of impeachment filed vladimir cabigao, danilo lihaylihay, oliver lozano, , allan paguia , homobono adaza.

the senate received corona s answer on december 26 asked senate dismiss case failing meet requirements of constitution. antonio carpio, 1 of possible replacements corona if removed, reportedly assigned case concerning constitutionality of impeachment, corona expected inhibit himself discussion.

in press conference, prosecution team revealed corona owns high-end penthouse condominium unit in bellagio, fort bonifacio, taguig worth 14.51 million pesos in 2009. tupas asked if condominium unit included in corona s state of assets, liabilities , net worth (saln), saying corona s saln made unavailable public. senators scolded prosecutors, saying not allowed discuss merits of case not preempt impeachment trial. comes anonymous source disclosed corona owns condominium unit in nearby bonifacio ridge worth between 5 8 million pesos, , house , lot @ quezon city. prosecutors agreed stop issuing statements media until trial starts.

corona asked impeachment court preliminary hearing, first motion impeachment court hear. meanwhile, prosecution asked senate subpoena documents on 45 properties allegedly belonging corona. aside documents, prosecution asked appearances of corona, wife , children. quimbo said @ least 40 of these properties not declared in chief justice corona s 2002 saln, last year when made such (a) declaration. corona replied owned 5 pieces of real estate properties, , appeared on saln.

on other hand, defense wanted summon tupas, belmonte, jesus crispin remulla, mandanas, tiangco , secretary-general marilyn barua-yap. ponce enrile consult other senators if allowed summon people connected house of representatives due inter-parliamentary courtesy.

january
january 16

on morning of january 16, first day senate set receive prosecution , defense teams, corona stated in speech there no turning on impeachment trial. corona stated did nothing wrong president or people, did not steal anyone, , 45 properties included double entries, properties belonging wife , in-laws, , denied accusation world bank loan not responsibility. corona added there people acting in conspiracy remove him office: want prevent distribution of hacienda luisita, hacienda owned family of president aquino, farmer-beneficiaries, vice presidential candidate lost 2010 vice presidential election, , associate justice wants succeed him chief justice.

the trial started @ 2:10 p.m, senate president ponce enrile, presiding officer, calling senate order. 2 senators, miriam defensor santiago , loren legarda, absent on first day. niel tupas led public prosecutors in presenting themselves, followed private prosecutors, stated under complete control of public prosecutors. corona s defense presented themselves, defense chief serafin cuevas presenting corona @ gallery, , entered plea of not guilty on behalf of defendant.

majority floor leader tito sotto moved tackle defense s motion preliminary hearing. defense argued impeachment complaint fatally defective there defect in verification of 188 signatures. presiding officer prohibited tupas request allowing private prosecutor mario bautista argue in behalf of prosecution. tupas instead 1 argued prosecution, saying impeachment complaint passed according rules of house of representatives.

sotto moved tackle motion filed private lawyer fernando perito cite prosecution indirect contempt on press conference stating corona had ill-gotten wealth. presiding officer dismissed request, stating perido not party case. president officer requested parties refrain issuing statements relating case outside of impeachment court.

january 17

the senate threw out motion subpoena chief justice corona, wife , family vote of 14–6. initially, request decided upon senate president ponce enrile presiding officer contested senate minority leader alan peter cayetano citing there need compel them testify on allegations properties placed under names ill-gotten wealth. enrile, said such request forfeit right of self-incrimination , giving evidence under duress. meanwhile, motion of defense deny appearance of private prosecutors of prosecution denied, thereby prosecution s privilege retain use of private prosecutors.

however, senate approved subpoenas clerk of supreme court enriqueta esguerra-vidal , register of deeds , land assessors in cities of makati, marikina, pasay, parañaque, quezon city , taguig, alleged properties of corona found. senate compelled documents such statement of assets, liabilities , net worth, land titles , of such, presented impeachment court.

the trial postponed due prosecution s lack of preparation in presenting witnesses testify authenticity of documents presented. cavite representative elpidio barzaga present evidences on second article. counsel serafin cuevas said no notice given defense panel prepare on second article panel prepared on manner of complaint filed.

on same day, supreme court unanimously deferred decision on whether issue temporary restraining order (tro) or not stop impeachment trial. 5 petitions, headed former misamis oriental governor homobono adaza consolidated court , required senate comment on petitions within ten days. supreme court spokesperson jose midas marquez said court issue order @ time , or call oral arguments. furthers on matter senate , says process ongoing. petitions filed due alleged railroading of impeachment complaint against chief justice.

january 18

supreme court clerk of court enriqueta esguerra-vidal, turned on copies of statements of assets, liabilities , net worth (salns) of chief justice corona years 2002 2010 senate. after constant compelling of senator-judges , prosecutors. esguerra-vidal insisted given permission release said documents citing supreme court ruling dated on may 2, 1989; prohibits deceptive requests information regard release of salns of judiciary. senate president ponce enrile told had comply said subpoena , give said documents senate. supreme court spokesperson jose midas marquez later clerk not in legal hurdle corona authorized release of documents.

meanwhile, marianito dimaandal, head director of malacañang records office testified , said salns of chief justice corona 1992 2010 exist. custodian, dimanadal stated salns certified true copies , had attested authenticity. yet, later said position on veracity of contents of documents.

defense counsel cuevas asked senate remove second article of complaint. cuevas said fact alone there saln proof enough has filed , complied rules , regulation on matter, resolves problem. senate president ponce enrile clarified such release of salns response subpoena given clerk , doesn t overrule said article.

the following salns filed chief justice corona 2002 2010 assets declared during years:

january 19

the prosecution presented taguig–pateros register of deeds randy rutaquio. rutaquio presented certificate of title of condominium units @ bellagio worth 14.6 million pesos under names of renato , cristina corona, , deed of sale on megaworld property sold corona couple daughter ma. charina. under cross-examination, rutaquio said not present when certificate of title , deed of sale processed, although these ve gone through him passed through registration of sales.

senator alan peter cayetano asked prosecution if article ii on corona s non-disclosure of saln, , did not possess corona s saln when submitted complaint, how able come complaint; prosecutor elpidio barzaga said charges based on reports . senator francis escudero asked prosecutor niel tupas, jr. wrote complaints; tupas answered collaboration. escudero said confused since each article must correspond singular act, , asked both prosecution , defense submit legal memorandum on matter.

the impeachment court excused bureau of internal revenue (bir) commissioner kim henares not able bring corona s tax documents. prosecution presented quezon city acting register of deeds carlo alcantara. alcantata testified corona sold burgundy property daughter carla corona-castillo. defense counsel serafin cuevas told court cross-examine alcantara on next trial day study alcantara s submitted documents. prosecution presented marikina register of deeds sedfrey garcia told return on next trial day.

january 24

while defense submitted memorandum regarding article ii, prosecution failed submit theirs before trial began; presiding officer juan ponce enrile ordered prosecution pass before trial starts on next day. senator miriam defensor santiago, has been absent @ trial point, asked both prosecution , defense how many witness present entire trial. when tupas not give answer, santiago scolded prosecution, saying should not waste time of court. cuevas stated have 15 witnesses , on 20 documents present.

tupas asked enrile more liberal in allowing prosecution ask questions. enrile offended offered resign if cannot accept rulings. tupas said want flexibility listen witnesses. senator manny villar said while believes enrile handling trial well, can t please everyone. enrile approved santiago s motion asking both prosecution , defense exact number of witnesses present. santiago said court should more liberal in accepting evidence, after had happened in impeachment trial of joseph estrada prevented opening of second envelope.

january 25

enrile announced court allow presentation of evidence paragraphs 2.2 (nondisclosure of saln) , 2.3 (non-inclusion of properties in saln), not paragraph 2.4 (alleged ill-gotten wealth) of article ii. court allowed subpoena of income tax returns of corona couple. prosecution presented bir commissioner kim henares witness although enrile asked how testimony relevant case. in end, allowed testify although statement on corona s ill-gotten wealth disallowed. santiago scolded both prosecution , defense long debates.

private prosecutor arthur lim began direct examination of henares. prosecution presented alpha list , document submitted company listing employees, salary, , tax withheld. enrile allowed presentation of supreme court s alpha list. henares stated supreme court had not kept alpha list 2002 2005 , gave testimony on corona s income , taxes based on court alpha list 2006 , 2010 on corona not having income tax return. henares allowed present cristina corona s income tax return. testified mrs. corona one-time taxpayer property transaction on september 9, 2003. mrs. corona purchased property worth 11 million pesos although had no recorded income year.

lim asked if mrs. corona in other alpha lists. defense objected enrile allowed henares answer. testified mrs. corona in alpha list of camp john hay management corporation ceo , president. prosecution presented documents alleged corona properties in taguig, makati, , quezon city.

january 26

senator santiago asked prosecution on provisions of anti-graft , corrupt practices act charging corona with. arthur lim replied accusing corona of violating paragraphs (c), (e), , (f) of section 3 of law. santiago answered these provisions irrelevant in article ii, since accuses corona of not disclosing saln. said more appropriate law should have been code of conduct , ethical standards public officials , employees requires submission of saln.

the court prohibited parties release documents merely marked evidence, , cautioned discussion of contents of documents. comes income tax returns of coronas brandished on television , on internet. senator escudero asked court cover corona s acts chief justice since documents dated prior him becoming one. enrile replied senate decide on over caucus.

the prosecution continued direct examination on henares. said bir found out corona s daughter, ma. carla corona-castillo, able buy 18 million-peso property mother cristina despite having monthly taxable income of 8,478 pesos. lim asked henares mckinley hill property in taguig; replied corona daughter, ma. charina, bought property megaworld corporation. henares added charina never filed income tax return, , one-time taxpayer, mckinley hill transaction. on cross-examination, cuevas asked henares if secretary of finance told durugin mo na si corona (crush corona, if possible). replies replied no. senator arroyo said subsequent investigation of bir , impeachment trial can twin moves against coronas.

the senators asked more questions on henares. pangilinan questioned if bir overlooked other income sources coronas. replied bir exhausted efforts, including alpha lists. cayetano asked if there discrepancies corona s returns saln; henares answered corona failed fill acquisition cost column, , corona included properties on next year s saln instead of year purchased. henares said corona had 1 source of income.

several senators cautioned spokespersons when discussing merits of case outside court. enrile said may discuss procedure not content.

january 30

the senate secretary, acting clerk of court of senate sitting impeachment court, read resolution prohibiting presentation of evidence not related corona or family, court s decision not allow presentation of evidence corona s ill-gotten wealth.

enrile allowed prosecutors motion present witnesses , evidence on article iii instead of article , vii, earlier agreed upon. enrile allowed presentation in articles in following order: articles ii, iii, i, vii, iv, v , vi. tupas clarified won t present 100 witnesses earlier reported.

the prosecution presented megaworld corporation financial director giovanni ng witness; produced contract sell on corona s bellagio penthouse worth 14 million pesos, , deed of absolute sale of mckinley hills property charina corona, not disclosed in corona s 2009 saln. ng not able answer how price of bellagio penthouse; private prosecutor joseph joemar perez moved subpoena megaworld s senior vice president marketing on next hearing. senator aquilino pimentel iii asked perez on why prosecution focusing on cost of properties, answered ng told them corona s 40% discount worth 40 million pesos fell under article iii.

when asked senator jinggoy estrada if megaworld routinely sells properties discount, ng said company gives 15% discount buyers pay on shorter terms; corona given bigger discount since property needed repairs. ng, answering question senator franklin drilon, said charina corona received 2.3 million peso discount on mckinley hill property. chief justice asked company put property under daughter s name.

private prosecutor jose antonio hernandez next presented aniceto visnar, jr., formerly of fort bonifacio development corporation. visnar told court corona couple paid 9.1 million peso condominium unit in bonifacio ridge in 2005, contrary, prosecutors say, corona s saln states bought aforementioned property in 2004 worth 2.3 million pesos. in cross-examination, defense lawyer ramon esguerra said notice of acceptance bonifacio ridge property did not exist, , bisnar should unfamiliar property , whether or not corona s wife sourced money used pay unit loan.

january 31

noli hernandez, senior vice president of megaworld, testified bellagio tower purchased corona couple received steep reduction in price after typhoon struck property while being constructed; megaworld reduced price p24 million p19.6 million. senators asked connection between corona s purchase of property, , article ii of articles of impeachment; prosecutor elpidio barzaga replied corona s purchase of property not included in saln. senator sergio osmeña iii asked hernandez produce proof of damage, while senator francis pangilinan asked hernandez submit senate engineer s report.

february
february 1

securities , exchange commission (sec) director benito cataran testified on corona s p11 million loan wife s basa-guidote enterprises, inc. (bgei) in 2003. cataran said sec revoked bgei s articles of incorporation , considered company dissolved in 2003. after did not file general information sheets sec 1991 1997. enrile countered corporation can t considered dissolved still has undergo liquidation, , sec can t dissolve corporations; own stockholders or government can that. senators commented corporations suspended sec can still lend money, , can still sued.

ayala land assistant vice president nerissa josef testified on corona family s purchase of property @ columns condominium in makati. said coronas paid 3 installments within 1 year, in 2004. prosecution noted corona, included property in 2010 saln, should have included starting 2004 saln, on year when deed of absolute sale issued. however, defense countered coronas refused property due defects, , coronas started possessing property in 2008.

february 2

carlo alcantara , sedfrey garcia cross examined; former asked coronas properties in quezon city, while latter on properties in marikina. prosecution , defense argued on whether wrong entries in saln constituted betrayal of public trust, tupas quoting joaquin bernas, saying betrayal of public trust catch-all phrase covering offenses may not amount crimes.

the senators asked prosecution on how many properties coronas have. prosecution said list given them land registration authority had 45 items, not bound abide those. senator jinggoy estrada asked on prosecution s release of list media, prosecution said did not.

burgundy realty corporation vice president gregg gregonia testified coronas had bought condominium unit , parking lot @ 1 burgundy plaza in quezon city in october 2000. upon query upon purpose of gregonia s testimony, prosecution said corona did not timely disclose property on saln.

february 6

enrile, despite objections defense, allowed bureau of internal revenue (bir) commissioner kim henares testify. henares produced income tax returns of constantino t. castillo iii, corona s son-in-law daughter carla. prosecution explained connection castillo s tax returns , case, saying castillo couple did not have financial resources buy property p18 million corona couple. henares said bir in process of investigating corona. defense asked if corona can correct salns per civil service rules; said corona can t, since under oath, , filing salns ve been useless. prosecution asked henares on corona s under-declarations in salns compared tax returns; enumerated properties not listed, , discrepancies in net worth.

the senate issued subpoena on corona s bank records, ordering managers of philippine savings bank (psbank) s katipunan branch , bank of philippine islands (bpi) ayala branch testify on february 8. senate based subpoenas documents submitted prosecution. senator francis escudero asked did these come from, possession of these documents violation of bank secrecy law; house prosecutor reynaldo umali said small lady handed documents him. majority leader tito sotto ordered senate sergeant-at-arms review cctv identify small lady .

february 7

the prosecution proceeded present third article of impeachment: corona s alleged flip-flopping on supreme court cases. prosecution first presented roberto anduiza, president of flight attendants , stewards association of philippines (fasap), had sued philippine airlines laying off members while on strike. anduiza said corona participated deliberations if supreme court spokesperson midas marquez earlier said chief justice inhibiting. anduiza told court fasap won case @ national labor relations commission, philippine airlines elevated case supreme court. in 2008, court ordered philippine airlines reinstate crew members laid off. however, in 2011, court reversed ruling after philippine airlines lawyer estelito mendoza wrote corona. anduiza said while corona inhibited in 2008, not among did not participate in 2011 deliberations.

senator jinggoy estrada asked house prosecutor rodolfo fariñas on why did not sign impeachment complaint; fariñas replied slow reader , , 188 representatives signed speed readers , , signature no longer needed. fariñas discussed enrile on how house of representatives impeachment process works, , house of representatives , senate working oust corona.

february 8

corona filed petition certiorari sought supreme court issue temporary restraining order on impeachment trial, citing grave abuse of discretion senate. in separate petition, corona asked inhibition of associate justices maria lourdes sereno , antonio carpio, had been publicly against corona, , special raffle on case. corona, on first petition, asked court prohibit implementation of senate s subpoena bank managers, , prevent them testifying , submitting documents; asked stop presentation of evidence pertaining paragraphs 2.3 , 2.4 on article alleging ill-gotten wealth, , declare impeachment complaint null , void ab initio, , make permanent previous temporary restraining order.

psbank petitioned supreme court prevent them testifying against foreign currency deposits act publicize bank accounts on foreign currencies.

at start of session, senator teofisto guingona iii said senate, impeachment court, has sole power try impeachment cases, , supreme court should not interfere impeachment trial. meanwhile, senator pia cayetano admonished fariñas on remarks previous day, , senators , house prosecutors functions different, long impeachment trial concerned. enrile cautioned participants or else senate impose power maintain order; fariñas apologizes remarks.

after caucus discussing petitions filed in supreme court, senate deny motions defer subpoenas psbank , bpi, , defer presentation in fasap case. serafin cuevas cross examines roberto anduiza; after cross examination, senator loren legarda asks how fasap case connected article iii. house prosecutor kaka bag-ao says yes.

the defense objects presentation of psbank manager, citing petition filed in supreme court. enrile rules since there no temporary restraining order, senate can proceed. prosecution presents psbank president pascual garcia iii, private prosecutor demetrio custodio stating purpose of illustrating corona owns ten accounts. garcia brought peso accounts; argues if exposes dollar accounts, expose him , bank criminal liability. after discussion, enrile orders custodio submit letter detailing reasons why should not cited contempt, , ordered him return next day.

the senate reads decision on issuing subpoenas supreme court justices asked prosecution. senate denied motions, citing confidentiality on supreme court s decisions, , on separation of powers doctrine.

february 9

cuevas , guingona argued on supreme court s jurisdiction in impeachment trial held @ senate. cuevas said guingona s statement 2 days earlier implied senate, impeachment court, higher supreme court; stated impeachment procedures still subject sc s power of review. guingona countered supreme court can t impose since senate not co-equal branch when sitting impeachment court.

after explaining annabel tiongson, psbank katipunan branch manager, stressed , pascual garcia iii decided himself testify. senator estrada asked if tiongson small lady ; garcia replied tiongson tall woman. garcia replied bank did not leak corona s bank records. answered 5 account numbers in subpoena existed in psbank branch. estrada asked pep , k meant on bank records; garcia answered pep meant politically exposed person , refused answer k on 700k meant, saying annotation photocopied document, can not bank-sourced original document.

bpi ayala branch manager leonora dizon testified corona owns checking account, , had ending balance of more p12 million of december 31, 2010.

february 13

the senators demanded explanation upon defense when accused executive secretary pacquito ochoa bribed senators p100 million each vote on resolution against supreme court s temporary restraining order on corona s dollar accounts. defense lawyer judd roy apologized senate , emphasized there no malice in statements. senator estrada dared defense reveal source, , senator antonio trillanes iv ordered them write explanation on why should not cited contempt. senate announced voted 13–10 uphold supreme court s restraining order.

psbank branch manager annabelle tiongson said bank records presented supposedly bank fake , did not come psbank. majority floor leader tito sotto said, quoting report sergeant-at-arms, no small lady seen cctv; enrile gave prosecution 24 hours explain how acquired bank records.

february 14

senate president enrile stated supreme court had no jurisdiction upon impeachment trial; assumed responsibility issuance of subpoena based on prosecution s supposedly fake bank records. senators scolded prosecution using allegedly spurious bank documents issue subpoenas. prosecution replied not vouch authenticity of bank documents.

the defense pointed out several senators acting private prosecutors. enrile replied senators if want ask witness questions. both prosecution , defense called dismissal celebrate enrile s 88th birthday; approved without objections.

february 15

upon asking questions on annabelle tiongson, psbank branch manager; senator estrada said tiongson s cousin running mate of tupas brother in 2010. tiongson answered not know tupas, , didn t care politics of relatives; tupas denied knowing psbank branch manager. answering question estrada, tiongson said allegedly fake bank documents may have been retrieved other sources. tiongson, upon query senator franklin drilon, said while bank documents used psbank s standard form, entries have been altered. enrile ordered psbank president pascual garcia iii bring psbank s original copies of bank records, covering details not covered restraining order.

february 16

psbank president pascual garcia iii testified information derived bank documents submitted prosecution authentic , although of information different. 3 of bank accounts, estrade noted, closed on december 12, 2011, day corona impeached.

senator loren legarda asked tiongson on how copies of bank records leaked; latter denied divulging said quezon city representative jorge banal asked assistance. said banal went psbank branch carrying documents , asked guidance; banal explained went bank ask assistance on $700k meant. senate ordered banal return court on next session day.

february 20

psbank president pascual garcia iii testified bangko sentral ng pilipinas (bsp; central bank) , anti-money laundering council (amlc) audited several accounts in branch, including corona s. garcia said in order form follow anti-money laundering act, should label accounts people such politicians , government appointees in high positions; caused them classify corona s account under pep or politically-exposed person.

however, senator teofisto guingona iii said amlc denied having audited corona s account. garcia said amlc specialist checked if accounts labeled, , did not check on balances. senator jinggoy estrada still maintained believes prosecution-submitted bank record authentic, alleging amlc photocopied 1 of signature cards.

annabelle tiongson returned witness stand , told court how representative jorge banal approached her; shocked banal possessed resembled bank s security cards. arranged check if original documents still in vault. senator miriam defensor santiago noted whoever got possession of bank records must explain how he/she have gotten hold of them.

february 21

bpi submitted evidence senate pertaining corona s bank records worth 12 million pesos of 2010. senate prohibited bpi assistant manager mara arcilla since senate requested records. tupas informed court prosecution had finished presenting witnesses second article of impeachment.

after objection defense, enrile disallowed prosecution present witness philippine airlines ve testified on corona couple s allegedly benefits received airline, saying testimony expand scope of third article. however, private prosecutor marlon manuel still able put on record corona couple given platinum cards philippine airlines; enabled them travel on first class free; defense counsel serafin cuevas objected manuel s statements enrile allowed remain.

february 22

house prosecutor giorgidi aggabao informed court drop article iii charges corona s independence compromised when wife cristina accepted appointment board of camp john hay development corporation, retain alleged flip-flopping corona on fasap vs. philippine airlines case.

secretary of justice leila de lima testified corona had influenced court in allowing temporary restraining order relieving prohibition of former president gloria macapagal-arroyo leave country. using dissenting opinion associate justice maria lourdes sereno, de lima said corona corrected draft of decision, , instructed supreme court spokesperson midas marquez mislead public stating restraining order still in effect if arroyo not able abide it.

cuevas questioned de lima s authority in superseding decision of supreme court, supreme court has power interpret law. de lima ignored restraining order issued supreme court , ordered arroyo blocked @ ninoy aquino international airport. defense argued supreme court decision not solely action of corona, there other 7 other justices concurred him.

february 23

enrile ordered court disregard portions of de lima s testimony, retaining portion of de lima s narration of sereno s dissent. house prosecutor raul daza stated corona favored arroyo in 80% of cases, , separated article , vii since there still pending cases in supreme court included in article i.

february 27

enrile announced senator antonio trillanes iv withdrew motion send questions associate justice maria lourdes sereno via mail, , disallowed prosecution s motion on allowing philippine airlines official testify.

enrile asked prosecution invite justice sereno instead of summoning her, senate had voted not issue subpoenas on supreme court justices, senator francis escudero adding prosecution s job present witnesses, , should not rely on senate s summoning powers.

the prosecutors called former president gloria macapagal-arroyo s doctor @ st. luke s medical center witness stand confirm if arroyo s medical certificate valid, later used supreme court allow arroyo couple leave country medical reasons. had direct examination on emma abanador, office of vice president s administrative officer. establishing corona had established ties arroyo when serving vice president, , prior appointment supreme court. final prosecution witness abs-cbn cameraman edmond losalla authenticated raw videos of supreme court s november 15, 2011 press conference allowed arroyos leave country, , interview arroyo lawyer ferdinand topacio. defense argued losalia s testimony irrelevant case.

february 28

the iglesia ni cristo held grand evangelical mission @ rizal park, causing massive traffic jams. caused of defense lawyers tardy @ trial; senate allowed trial start @ later time in order entire defense team present. later, supreme court issued order preventing employees testifying @ impeachment trial, saying not waving judicial privilege. bars 2 of process servers served restraining order justice department testifying. enrile respected court s ruling, tackle issue on caucus following week determine next course of action.

at senate, after prosecution had presented witnesses , evidence articles 2, 3 , 7, house prosecutor niel tupas, jr. announced drop 5 articles of impeachment, reservation can present evidence on corona s dollar bank accounts once receive favorable decision supreme court; meant no longer present witnesses , evidence pertaining articles 1, 4, 5, 6 , 8, , defense able present case; enrile requested prosecution make formal offer before senate considers request.

february 29

senator miriam defensor santiago scolded prosecution withdrawing 5 articles, saying should not have bragged victory, , labeling bragging strength of case gago (idiots) vitaliano aguirre, well-known lawyer cover ears after latter s tirade against prosecution. house prosecutor rodolfo fariñas later asked senate remove word gago records. tupas said no longer pursue testimony of justice maria lourdes sereno, , rest case reservation. when senator francis escudero asked tupas on whether dropping of articles of impeachment constitutes amendment of complaint, , whether 188 signatories consulted, tupas said there no consultation, although told speaker feliciano belmonte, jr. it. defense said still present evidence on 5 dropped articles, , ask senate acquit corona on those. enrile gave prosection until march 2 submit formal offer drop 5 articles.

senator jinggoy estrada asked prosecutor had covered ears while santiago scolding them; identified private prosecutor vitaliano aguirre ii (he become justice secretary 4 years later). when asked reason, aguirre said that, first time forty years, first time saw judge lecture prosecution in court. senate later cited aguirre contempt, , house prosecutor fariñas apologized in behalf of prosecution. enrile adjourned trial until march 12.

march
break

the senate postponed trial week let defense prepare presentation, , prosecution make offer of evidence. tupas asked court allow them make final offer of evidence, granted. senate decide on prosecution s offer on march 8; trial scheduled resume on march 12.

both enrile , house of representatives deputy minority leader danilo suarez expressed preferences corona testify. prosecution pointed out corona cannot able explain how acquired alleged 31 million-peso wealth.

on march 2, prosecution formally offered evidence senate cuevas said corona won t testify @ trial, saying members of impeachment court can examine him on angles , justice cuevas cannot object.

on march 5, senate voted accept peso bank records evidence in trial; next day, court voted dismiss defense s motion suppress evidence related corona s psbank account, , admonish instead of punishing private prosecutor aguirre after cited contempt.

corona had media blitz on march 8, when gave live interviews on tv , radio stations; first time spoke after trial started. in interview @ gma s morning show unang hirit, said lost confidence in psbank, citing psbank clients saying account details had been leaked, causing him withdraw of deposits @ katipunan avenue branch. in same interview, cited supreme court s ruling on hacienda luisita, ruled farmers should possess lands, instead of current owners, family members of president aquino. prosecution found corona s explanation on psbank withdrawal incredible.

march 12

the court voted accept prosecution s offer of evidence, , doesn t entertain motion on articles dropped prosecution. defense presents navotas representative toby tiangco, 1 of congressmen not sign impeachment complaint. tiangco testified impeachment complaint meant control or scare supreme court. narrated speaker feliciano belmonte, jr., in caucus on december 12, said corona should impeached due closeness representative gloria macapagal-arroyo. related signed complaint, hesitated not able read complaint in full.

the senate voted deny defense s motion discuss complaint s validity, corona notified senate of trial, , chief justice replied @ notification. senate voted cite defense lawyer jose roy iii in indirect contempt on earlier statement president urged senators not honor supreme court s order preventing them scrutinizing chief justice s dollar accounts.

march 13

tiangco ends testimony after senator miriam defensor santiago asks him on motives in testifying @ trial. court hears testimony of araceli bayuga. discusses alpha lists in supreme court s tax records. next witness, demetrio vicente, bought coronas 1 of properties cited on complaint. vicente related circumstances of how not able change name of owner of title corona s wife him.

march 14

in cross examination, araceli bayuga notes supreme court justices not required liquidate allowances; had submit certification. added allowances not taxed. senators antonio trillanes , alan peter cayetano expressed apprehensions on bayuga s testimony, saying scope within article 2.4 disallowed senate. cuevas replied bayuga s testimony preliminary . defense presented secretaries of electoral tribunals in congress in corona member, gave him earnings of 5 million pesos per year.

march 15

bayuga s cross examination continued. bayuga asked alpha list of supreme court s payroll. discharged. next witness, roberto villaluz, officer-in-charge (oic) of taguig city assessor s office asked prove on corona s financial statements. senators asks questions on fair market values of real properties. enrile interrupts discussion, , reminds issue whether corona truthful on financial statements. villaluz discharged; next witness rodolfo ordanes, oic of quezon city assessor s office. drilon manifests since witness marking documents, process should expedited. ordanes not cross-examined discharged once finished marking documents.

march 16–18

after thursday session, senators had differing opinions on legality of corona s financial statements. ferdinand marcos, jr. said absence of acquisition cost not questionable ; edgardo angara thought public officials given choice on either put acquisition cost or fair market value or assessed value. recto stated usual practice put acquisition cost, while antonio trillanes iv noted acquisition cost basis of computation total assets.

corona s defense team stated present financial statements of other government officials denote common practice is. prosecutors disapproved of plan, saying corona cannot compare himself other government officials since chief justice, should held higher standard other public officers.

march 19

four witnesses presented defense. city assessor of makati, registers of deeds of quezon city , taguig, , property manager of columns property in makati. carlo alcantara, acting register of deeds of quezon city, testified on corona s ayala heights , la vista properties transferred other people. ayala heights property, cost 8 million pesos, owned corona s wife, , transferred rodel rivera , wife. la vista property, cost 18 million pesos, transferred corona couple daughter maria clara. alcantara provided other transfers of corona couple s properties in quezon city, cost combined 25.5 million pesos, maria clara s husband. randy rotaquio, property manager of columns, testified alleged properties of corona couple registered under daughter, maria charina.

march 20

the defense presented land registration authority (lra) administrator eulalio diaz iii; diaz testified provided niel tupas, jr., lead prosecutor, list of 45 properties corona couple , children said own. however, diaz later said of properties on list either no longer belonged corona couple, or never registered under couple s names. senators chastised prosecution panel , diaz. when asked on how happened, diaz replied list computer-generated . tupas denied prosecution misled public, saying have every reason believe authenticity of these documents. diaz, upon further questions loren legarda, admitted lra included in search names of corona s wife , children; s how lra came list of 45 properties.

march 21

the prosecution maintains corona owns 21 of 45 properties submitted lra; prosecution included in 21 properties properties named under corona children allegedly owned corona. miriam defensor santiago accused lra administrator diaz of violating civil code of philippines, , said both diaz , prosecution may guilty of gross negligence . jinggoy estrada asked diaz if willingly aiding prosecution or made mistake; diaz replied won t accept m in cahoots prosecution. can t readily accept made mistake. when ferdinand marcos, jr. asked diaz on why made list, said following prosecution s orders. loren legarda told diaz earlier said senator santiago had no knowledge used in impeachment trial; diaz answered knew list used.

march 22

the defense presents miriam monsuela of john hay management corporation (jhmc). prosecution objects witness, saying testimony, cristina corona s earnings while employed jhmc, immaterial; court allowed testify. lito atienza, former mayor of manila, defense s next witness. former mayor recalled transaction involving piece of property between city government , basa-guidote enterprises, inc. (bgei), defense says mrs. corona authorized act in lieu of bgei. atienza testified sale, cost city 34,703,800 pesos, legal. upon questioning franklin drilon, senator said there lack of due diligence on part of city government on purchase.

summer recess

journalist raissa robles released on blog list of properties in united states coronas allegedly lived at. corona countered california property apartment used daughters on physical therapy career in u.s., , florida property owned family friend; corona concluded didn t own property in u.s.

may
may 29

the senators cast votes whether chief justice guilty or not guilty on impeachment case. unlimited time given explain votes. senators edgardo angara, alan peter cayetano, pia cayetano, franklin drilon, jinggoy estrada, teofisto guingona iii, gringo honasan, panfilo lacson, lito lapid, loren legarda, sergio osmeña iii, francis pangilinan, koko pimentel, ralph recto, bong revilla, tito sotto, antonio trillanes iv, manny villar , senate president/presiding officer juan ponce enrile voted conviction. of them cited non-disclosure of property reason conviction. while 3 senators, senators joker arroyo, miriam defensor santiago , ferdinand marcos, jr. voted acquittal. after senator enrile explained vote, later summarized votes follows, senate, sitting impeachment court, having tried chief justice renato corona, upon 3 articles of impeachment charged against him house of representatives, guilty vote of 20 senators, has found him guilty of charge under article ii. therefore, adjudged renato corona, hereby convicted of charge against him in article ii of articles of impeachment, ordered,

decision

the senate gave decision on may 29, 2012 following table reflects decision of each senator. 2nd, 3rd , 7th articles considered; after required two-thirds vote remove office reached on first article being voted upon, senate decided not pursue voting on last 2 articles.

there no absences or abstentions.