MANILA, (Reuters) – The Philippines’ top judge took the witness stand at his own impeachment trial today to deny concealing 45 properties and millions in assets and denounce a case President Benigno Aquino sees as key to rooting out corruption.
Renato Corona, chief justice of the 15-member Supreme Court, was installed by Aquino’s predecessor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who herself faces election fraud and corruption charges.
Aquino says Corona did not fully declare his assets as required of all public officials. Corona denied allegations he owns 45 properties and holds $10 million-$15 million in 82 bank accounts.
“Why is this administration so mad at me?” Corona said in a statement. “This case was filed without evidence. They broke all laws to fish evidence against me.”
A verdict from 23 sitting senators is due before the Senate adjourns its session on June 7.
“If Corona is convicted, Aquino will probably accelerate the legal effort against Arroyo,” Richard Jacobson, of Pacific Strategies and Assessments, told Reuters.
But he warned it may also open the Aquino administration to heightened public scrutiny, with allegations of corruption hanging over some Cabinet members.
A conviction would likely boost Aquino’s popularity after recent polls showed a slight drop in his ratings due to the government’s handling of rising fuel prices.
“Aquino is not going to risk impeaching him and come out a loser,” Benito Lim, political science professor at Ateneo de Manila University, told Reuters. “It would show that he is a weak president and politically stupid.”
Corona, in turn, has accused Aquino of building a “creeping dictatorship”, a stinging accusation in the Philippines, after the high court ruled against Aquino’s family in a landmark agrarian reform case.
Tuesday’s proceedings were interrupted when Corona left the witness stand after his three-hour testimony, prompting the court to order a lock down of the entire Senate building to force him to return to the court.
Corona’s lawyers later explained his blood sugar had dropped sharply and requested that the hearing be adjourned to Wednesday.
Sixteen votes from the 24-member Senate of elected lawmakers who are sitting as judges are needed to remove Corona from office.
