Category Archives: Columns

After a six-week recess, the Senate will resume Monday, May 7, the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona with the defense continuing the presentation of its evidence. Continue reading →

Tomorrow, April 30, is the last day for all public officials and employees to file their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) required by the Constitution, Anti-Graft Law (Republic Act 3019) and Ethical Standards Law (RA 6713). Continue reading →

Some people are mongering a war between President Noynoy Aquino and Vice President Jojo Binay. I believe, however, that a political confrontation will not benefit either or both of them, or the country. Quite the contrary, I think their continued partnership is best for both and for the nation. Together, they are invincible. Continue reading →

Because of the Senate impeachment trial, contempt has become almost a household word. During the nationally televised hearings, the impeachment court has held two lawyers, one from each of the contending sides, guilty of contempt. However, after devoting much trial time on the issue, the Senate penalized the two with a mere “slap on the wrist.” So readers posed this question to me during the past weeks, which, for lack of space and time, I have not been able to answer: “Is this a case of too much ado about nothing?” Continue reading →

The sad news, reminiscent of Black Friday’s woes, is that the Manila Cathedral has been closed due to newly discovered structural deficiencies. But the good news on this happy Easter Sunday is that during a recent private dinner with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle, former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta T. de Villa and me, San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang graciously agreed to contribute P50 million to lead in saving this veritable center of Catholic worship. Continue reading →

We have four granddaughters, aged 6 to 15 years, living with their parents (our daughter Celine and her husband Patrick Hannett) in Connecticut in the United States. Incorrigible beach freaks, they have frequented the beaches in Maui, Hawaii. Continue reading →

After 34 days of trial spanning nearly three months, the Senate impeachment court recessed last March 22, even though the defense had not finished presenting its evidence to explain alleged inadequacies and inconsistencies in Chief Justice Renato C. Corona’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs). Continue reading →

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada wryly remarked that he almost fell asleep listening to the defense’s first witness, Rep. Toby Tiangco, because what he expected to hear was the explanation for the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona. He was referring to the alleged omissions, apparent undervaluations, and seeming inconsistencies between Corona’s SALNs and his newly known properties and bank deposits. Continue reading →

Ban deposits are sacred. Under Republic Act No. 1405, “All deposits of whatever nature … are … absolutely confidential and may not be examined, inquired or looked into … except (1) when the examination is … specifically authorized by the Monetary Board … or (2) when the examination is made by an independent auditor hired by the bank to conduct its regular audit … or (3) upon written permission of the depositor, or (4) in cases of impeachment, or (5) upon order of a competent court in cases of bribery or dereliction of duty of public officials, or (6) in cases where the money deposited or invested is the subject matter of the litigation.” Continue reading →

One question that keeps popping up during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona is the degree of proof needed to pass a judgment. Otherwise stated, what is the standard of proof in an impeachment case? As a start, let us look at standards in various disciplines. Continue reading →