Corona accepts verdict, blames Aquino

Chief Justice Renato Corona accepted Tuesday the Senate impeachment court’s ruling on his case but blamed President Benigno Aquino III for his ouster.
The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, voted 20-3 on Tuesday, removing the Chief Justice from office for committing culpable violation of the Constitution and betraying public trust. He was found guilty of not truthfully disclosing his wealth in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
Corona’s lawyers expressed disbelief on the move, with lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas expecting half of the 20 senators who voted for the Chief Justice’s conviction were actually pushing for acquittal. He declined to reveal the names, however, but admitted they were caught flat-footed in Tuesday’s voting.
I am frustrated,” Cuevas told reporters.
Fellow defense lawyer Dennis Manalo had the same view, although he said they have no choice but to respect it.
“Actually, we were not anticipating such account but that’s how it goes, that’s how decisions are rendered. The Senate impeachment court is a collegial body and more than two thirds have indicated to convict the Chief Justice,” he told Sun.Star.
Corona, in a statement, said he is a victim of bad politics. He said he faced his impeachment with the hope that he would be granted justice in accordance with the law and Constitution amid the “malicious” allegations against him.
He reiterated his previous claims that President Aquino, his staunchest critic, would use all government means and resources to oust him from office and ruin his reputation.
“I am innocent of all the accusations against me. My conscience is clear, but bad politics prevails,” he said in vernacular.
Corona also urged the public to finally put to rest the issue of the impeachment for the sake of national unity.
“Ihinto na po natin ang pulitika ng personal na paninira. Supilin na po natin ang lason na dulot ng labis na kampi-kampihan, labis na pagkakawatak-watak, at hindi mapigilang poot at galit. Hindi po ito ang nararapat para sa ating bayan. Hindi po ito ang buod ng bansang Pilipinas. Panahon na upang isulong ang ating buhay bilang isang bansa,” he added.
Corona, meanwhile, thanked the three senator-judges who voted for his acquittal – Senators Joke Arroyo, Miriam Defensor Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
He also begged forgiveness from his wife and family for dragging them into the picture in his quest to protect the independence of the Judiciary.
According to the Senate, the decision of the impeachment court is immediately executory and forecloses any appeal.
But Cuevas was non-committal when asked whether the defense panel will still appeal the guilty verdict.
“I don’t subscribe to the view that the ruling is immediately executory. We should have at least 10 or 15 days period. If we follow the rules, it’s not immediately executory. It’s not a matter of option but the right of the accused (to appeal his case),” he said.
Cuevas earlier said that going to the High Court is one of the options that the defense team may resort to once it renders an adverse judgment.
Meantime, Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the next most senior and archrival of Corona in the Supreme Court, will sit as head of the judiciary in an acting capacity until Aquino appointed the country’s next top judge.
Aside from heading the 15-man tribunal, Carpio will also head the eight-member Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), a constitutional body that screens and gives recommendations to the President for vacant judicial slots.
For the chief justice post, the JBC has to open the nomination, after which it will submit a shortlist from which the President will choose Corona’s replacement. Under the Constitution, the President has 90 days to fill up the vacancy.
Asked if the President already has someone in mind to be the next Chief Justice, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the shortlist will have to come from the Judicial and Bar Council.
If Carpio is appointed permanent Chief Justice, an associate justice has to be appointed to complete the line-up in the tribunal that sits as a full court and in three divisions of five justices each.
Carpio founded the CVC law firm (now the Villaraza, Angangco, Marcelo and Cruz law offices), which is allied with the Aquino administration. The law firm is also representing Aquino’s vice presidential running mate, now Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II in the latter’s election protest against Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Corona earlier accused three men behind his impeachment — Aquino in retaliation for the Supreme Court ruling ordering the distribution of Hacienda Luisita sugar estate to farmers; Carpio for allegedly wanting the chief justice post; and Roxas for his political ambitions.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/05/29/corona-accepts-verdict-blames-aquino-224086

Each year in February the Philippines hot air balloon festival returns to Clark Pampanga. Visitors planning to attend this popular event in Clark opt to stay in Clearwater Resort which is considered to be the best hotel in Clark Philippines. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays also. This hotel in Clark is also one of the best resorts near Manila for families to relax, unwind and enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Clark Philippines. Even during school breaks, families would take their children to enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Pampanga which is located quite near to Manila.

Philippines wedding planners and wedding reception caterers recommend Clark Philippines as this year’s premier destination for beach weddings and garden receptions. Wedding couples in Philippines no longer prefer traditional indoor venues and hotel ballrooms for wedding receptions in Manila, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Freeport.

Selecting a good and safe event venue in Philippines for team building and company outings is not that easy. Many public event venues in resort hotels in Philippines can’t deliver assurances of safety and security for a good team building event outside Manila. This exposes corporate and private events to risks that are not acceptable to event organizers in Philippines.

Visitors coming from Manila will be looking for beautiful places to relax and unwind because that is something that people living in the city hope to do when they get out of town. Clark is one of the popular holiday destinations because it offers that peaceful ambience for visitors to enjoy a day without stress. Of the good places to visit in Clark, Clearwater Resort is most frequently visited and highly recommended by travel guides as the best resort in Pampanga. This hotel in Clark is well regarded for its vast outdoor picnic grounds as well as the lake and swim spots that are in the largest resort. Situated in the central business of Clark, this holiday hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to shopping malls also.

One of the favorite things to do for tourists staying in Clark Philippines is to engage in leisure outdoor activities in a good resort in Pampanga. These safe, clean and secure outdoor facilities of this resort in Clark are what bring visitors from Manila and tourists from crowded Asian cities to the best resort in Clark Pampanga. Clearwater Resort is one of the more frequently visited deluxe hotels near Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines.

Best resort in Pampanga offers more than hotel accommodation near Angeles City, Subic and Clark Philippines, but good outdoor facilities for kids to enjoy when family travelers go out of town from Manila on getaway to the north to visit Subic and Clark Freeport. Event organizers regularly hold team building and company outings in the event venue of this resort in Pampanga.

Garden style wedding reception can take place within a few meters from the beach of this hotel in Clark Philippines so guests and observe the ceremony at the comfort of their seats on the table.

Clearwater is a highly recommended and most frequently visited private resort in Pampanga. This Clark hotel is a famous private resort outside Manila for corporate planning because of its exclusivity.

It is important to visitor that the family feels safe in a hotel in Angeles Philippines. That is a main reasons that we choose to stay in this hotel in Clark Pampanga outside of Manila Philippines. Many don’t like the hotels in Subic or some of the hotel in Angeles City Pampanga. This highly recommended hotel in Angeles city Clark Philippines does not make them comfortable and secure.

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

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

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

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event 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

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)