Akbayan renews call for Corona to resign

This is a press statement from Akbayan.

Group says people successful in revealing truth behind bank records

Akbayan Party today reiterated its call to Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona to resign from his post saying that his guilt is already “clear and obvious.”

According to Akbayan spokesperson Risa Hontiveros, the basis of Article 2 alone of the impeachment complaint has already been proven that Corona is unfit to hold the office of Chief Justice.

“Sapat na ang nadinig at nakita ng mamamayan sa impeachment trial. The evidence that has been presented unmistakably showed that Corona has failed repeatedly in submitting accurate, truthful, and timely SALNs (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth). It is as clear as day. This is an important victory for the people,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros said “Corona’s failure to disclose properties and bank accounts amounting to millions of pesos in his SALN is proof that he lied by concealing them and continues to do so by denying their existence despite testimony of witnesses proving otherwise.”

“This clearly demonstrates that Corona is unfit to continue as chief justice. A Chief Justice with such a reputation is not worthy to serve a high position in our government,” Hontiveros said.

The former legislator also stressed the discrepancies in the testimonies of the Philippines Savings Bank (PS Bank) President and its Katipunan branch manager regarding the genuineness of the bank documents was proof that the said documents which point to Corona’s attempt to conceal assets contrary to his SALNs are authentic.

“As the saying goes, ‘if the gloves don’t fit, you must acquit.’ Well in this case, ‘since the bloated accounts exist, the court must convict’,” Hontiveros added.

However, Hontiveros said Corona doesn’t have to wait for a conviction from the impeachment trial and asserted that he can always resign from his post.

“Although we have full faith in the impeachment trial and are confident that Corona will be found guilty, it would be wise for him not to wait for his conviction. He does not need to delay what is certain. Corona can do the public and the judiciary system a favor. The midnight chief justice can resign now,” Hontiveros concluded.