Prosecution doubts Corona will testify

MANILA — The House prosecution panel said Sunday that Chief Justice Renato Corona is not likely to speak up on the witness stand, despite going on a media blitz last week to proclaim his innocence.
Corona has been appearing in television and radio interviews to insist that the impeachment complaint is rooted in the Supreme Court decision to distribute land in Hacienda Luisita, owned by President Benigno Aquino III’s relatives, to tenant farmers.
He also accused Senator Teofisto Guingona III of trying to convince him to go into early retirement so Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio could be appointed in his place.
Guingona has denied this. He confirmed, however, that he had lunch with Corona last year.
Corona also said the closure of three peso time deposit accounts at Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) on the same day he was impeached was a coincidence. He said loss of confidence in the bank prompted him to close down the accounts.
“We guess the Chief Justice is making all these noise so he can shift to a mute mode when the trial resumes. His tack is to seek an acquittal through media interviews,” Marikina Representative Romero Quimbo, prosecution spokesman, said Sunday.
Corona said he is willing to testify but that the decision is up to his lawyers.
“If the Chief Justice wants to tell the truth, then his place should be on the witness stand, not in the radio booth. The latter is where DJs spin music, not where a CJ can spin his version of events,” Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara, another prosecution spokesman, said.
“He has a mouthful to say on supposed meetings and pressures for him to quit but on the most important issue of his undeclared and unexplained wealth, his lips are sealed,” Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III said.
Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, who has called on the Chief Justice to testify to clear his name, assured Corona that he will be treated with respect during the trial.
“The Chief Justice is head of an equal branch of government and should be respected, not disrespected. (If you do) it is like you disrespect your own country, your own Constitution. Until he (Corona) is pronounced guilty he is presumed innocent,” Enrile, presiding officer of the impeachment court, said in a radio interview over dzBB.
He said anyone who disrespects Corona will be ruled out of order and that he will stand by that ruling.
“They can remove me if they want,” he said, adding he would resign if Corona is not shown respect.
Senators will also be disallowed from cross-examining the Chief Justice. He said although senators are allowed to ask clarificatory questions, “(Senators) would be partisan if they cross-examine.”
Enrile said the cross-examination of witnesses for the defense should be left to the prosecution panel.
“We respect his right to explain to the public, but that is not evidence for us unless presented before the impeachment court,” Enrile said.
Corona earlier said he will open his bank accounts to the court. His wife, Cristina, is expected to testify on their bank accounts.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/03/11/prosecution-doubts-corona-will-testify-210671

Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.

Highly recommended beach resort in North Luzon for company outings and family retreats is most frequently visited hotel in Clark Pampanga because of beautiful view and good outdoor facilities for swimming, picnic and barbecue.

Even tourists and business travelers staying in hotels in Philippines Angeles Pampanga take time off from nightlife, bars and other city entertainment to enjoy a relaxing day in leisure at famous beach resort in Clark Freeport Pampanga. Foreign and local tourists visiting Clark enjoy a sense of safety while savoring the laidback lifestyle offered by famous resort hotels like Clearwater in Clark.

Families traveling out of town go to the north to get away from Manila to unwind, relax and swim with friends and children. Highly recommended holiday spot and vacation destination this summer in the north is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark. Clark is adjacent to Pampanga’s Angeles City which is just 70 minutes from Manila and 25 minutes from Subic.

For reservations, comments and inquiries,

Clearwater Resort & Country Club
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com