Expectations in Corona’s impeachment trial

The following are what is expected in the impeachment against Renato Corona that will redound to a fair and just verdict:

1.That the trial will not be against Corona, the person, but Corona, the Supreme Court Chief Justice (SC CJ).

2.As a public official and SC CJ, has Renato Corona been exercising judicial independence in his decisions for the good of the greater number of people or bias for those instrumental in his appointment as CJ?

3.Has Corona been using his influence among former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s (GMA) SC appointees for favorable decisions in cases against her?

4.Has Corona been exercising the highest degree of ethicality in the performance of his job, especially with regards to cases against GMA?

5.Why has there been flip-flopping decisions in final and executory cases?

6.Is Corona working to straighten justice and truth or bending it for expediency and accommodation?

7.How true that Renato Corona has amassed vast wealth in just 9 years?

6.What made Corona issue the “status quo ante” order against the House of Representatives in the case concerning the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez?

7.Why has Renato Corona failed to disclose to the public his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)?

Impeachment Trial cost 5 million pesos

Senator Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III said yesterday that P5 million will be used for the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona starting January 16. Sotto said that the amount was set aside initially for the impeachment trial of Ombusman Maria Merceditas N. Gutierrez.

It was unspent because it was pre-empted by her resignation. The money, Sotto said, will be used to purchase equipment, pay overtime, and buy food, among others. Sotto said the money will be taken from the Senate President’s budget last year, and any additional funds will be tapped as the trial goes along.