Corona on Trial Finale

Yes, I know... It sounds like a TV series with its last episode on air. Haha!

I was in the office today when we looked for an online site that gives free live streaming of the ‘Chief Justice Corona on Trial’ coverage. Unfortunately, it was too slow so we had to be thankful for the radio.

The senators were given unlimited time on giving their explanation, views and comments, and final vote. An alphabetical order was followed. The said verdicts were given:

GUILTY

1. EDGARDO ANGARA 

"The law was never meant to be a convenient excuse for public servants to conceal their assets."

2. ALAN CAYETANO

"Bakit ang mahirap pag nagnakaw, bawal? Bakit sa mayaman, bawal magnakaw nang kaunti?"

3. PIA CAYETANO

"Bakit pwedeng itago ang pera sa dolyar? Makatarungan ba yun?"

4. FRANKLIN DRILON

 “He has betrayed our public trust. He cannot be our Chief Justice any longer.”

5. CHIZ ESCUDERO

“Sana siya (Corona) at ang kasong ito ang maging hudyat ng bagong simula ng ating bansa.”

6. JINGGOY ESTRADA

"The system failed to render justice to my father, former President Joseph Estrada."

7. TEOFISTO GUINGONA III

"Ang aking boto ay para sa kasagraduhan ng saligang batas. We must renew our respect for sanctity of Constitution."

8. GREGORIO HONASAN

"We have not proven if CJ is corrupt and malicious, what is clear is he is no longer fit to preside in highest court in the land."

9. PANFILO LACSON

"An error of judgment is inacceptible in this trial because it is final, irreversible."

10. LITO LAPID

"Di po ako pwedeng magsalita tungkol sa republic act, dahil di ako marunong dito. Ginagamit ko lang ay ang aking konsensya."

11. LOREN LEGARDA 

"If we acquit the CJ, we'd lift the floodgate for public suspicion and widespread distrust of SC." 

12. SERGE OSMEÑA

13. KIKO PANGILINAN

14. KOKO PIMENTEL

“Kung ayaw mong ilahad ang tunay mong yaman, huwag kang pumasok sa gobyerno.”

“Kung anong batas para kay Juan, ‘yun din ang batas para kay Renato.”

15. RALPH RECTO

“It is easy to impeach one man. What is hard is to impeach hunger, joblessness and poverty.”

"As a judge, my duty is to choose what is right, not what is popular." 

 16. BONG REVILLA, JR.

“He has the responsibility to become the epitome of a servant with highest ethical standards.”

17. TITO SOTTO

“Ang tunay na hukom sa paglilitis na ito ay ang taong bayan.”

18. ANTONIO TRILLANES III

“A condition signifies that transparency in governance takes precedence over legal technicalities.”

19. MANNY VILLAR

“Dapat pantay-pantay ang implementasyon ng batas na ito... mayaman man o mahirap.”

20. JUAN PONCE ENRILE (Senate President)

"I am convinced that the Defense has presented sufficient evidence to refute the charge of non-disclosure of some properties."

NOT GUILTY

1. JOKER ARROYO

"I cannot imagine removing a CJ on account of a SALN."

2. MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO

“Kung nagmamalinis tayo, eh bakit lagi tayo kasali sa listahan ng most corrupt? Magtitinginan tayo? Sino kaya dito?”

Enrile asks Santiago to wrap up. Santiago replies: “I thought I was unlimited.”

3. BONGBONG MARCOS

"Misdeclarations in the SALN are not an impeachable offense."

Since the verdict is done, the only thought I have in mind is that since Renato Corona was found guilty, may it help us, the Filipino people, have a better life. This should be a lesson for all politicians to become good and honest servants of the country and for the Filipino people to realize that the votes we give every election period matter in the long run.

As for the senators, ‘wag kayong lahat magmalinis. Nagkataon lang na hindi pa kayo nabibisto sa corruption na ginawa niyo for years. As early as now, change for the betterment of yourself and of the lives of people you deeply and greatly influence.