MANILA -– Members of the Senate, sitting as impeachment court, are now ready to make their decision on the impeachment case of Chief Justice Renato Corona today after what they described an “enlightening” final oral arguments of both the prosecution and the defense panels yesterday.

“It’s very educational and enlightening,” Senator-judge Teofisto ‘TG’ Guingona III said after the court granted both sides one hour each to state their final arguments on the impeachment complaints against the chief justice.

Senator-judge Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. described the presentation of both sides as ‘very intelligent that requires us to listen well and pay attention to what has been said.”

“Although nothing new has been said but it is the last chance of both sides what they want to argue for the last time about the case,” Marcos said.

Marcos said he will come up with a verdict based on evidences presented by both sides and not based on “what happened outside the impeachment court.”

“That’s the only way I can make sure that I will have a clear conscience after I render my vote. Whatever my vote, I can sleep well,” Marcos said.

For his part, Senator-judge Panfilo Lacson said the oral arguments helped him to understand very well all the issues presented by both sides.

“I have to think of my decision overnight,” Lacson said.

Senator-judge Franklin Drilon said he has already reviewed all the documentary and testimonial evidences presented since Day 1 of the impeachment trial that started last January 16.

“Both are good. It is now clear to me the theory of both sides and all of us will consider that. I’m ready for tomorrow's (today) judgment,” Drilon said.

On the plan of the defense to resort to certiorari if the impeachment court found Corona guilty, Drilon said “it is their privilege.”

Senator-judge Miriam Defensor Santiago used the podium to clarify the maximum penalty if the chief magistrate will be convicted through 16 votes of the senators.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III said the concerns of Santiago should be discussed in a caucus, but for Drilon, conviction is removal from the office and disqualification from holding any government positions in the future.

As expected, the prosecution banked on the failure of the highest magistrate of the land to disclose his $2.4 million and P80 million in cash in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

“He has given nothing but glib excuses for why he did not account for them. He wants this court and the court of public opinion to ignore his millions and pesos undeclared in his SALN. Is he prohibited from disclosing them in his SALN? Shouldn’t he be the one to set a good example?” House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said in his closing statement.

The defense insisted that Corona has no obligation to report his 2.4 million dollars in four accounts and P80 million in co-mingled funds deposits in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), saying Republic Act 6246 or Foreign Currency Deposit Act provides “absolute confidentiality.”

“Unless the bank secrecy law is amended, absolute confidentiality of bank deposits stays. SC ruled that in case of doubt, confidentiality of bank deposits should be favored. We cannot hold Corona liable for believing in good faith in confidentiality of foreign currency deposits,” defense lawyer Eduardo delos Angeles said.

Angeles said non-disclosure of bank accounts in SALN will not amount to impeachable offense, adding “officials should not be removed from office for minor breach of law,”

However, lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas argued that the RA 6426 applies only to banking institutions and “not to the depositors.”

Tupas said Corona should be judged “by the highest standards”, calling the failure to disclose assets “deception of the highest order.”

For his part, prosecution member Rep. Rodolfo Farinas emphasized in his argument that the court should not be swayed by Corona’s alibis and drama.

“Renato Corona should not only be given his wish to be excused, he should be removed,” Farinas said.

The senator-judges are scheduled to render their verdict on Tuesday with each judge to be given two minutes to cast and explain their respective votes.

The prosecution will need 16 votes from the senator-judges to have Corona convicted while the defense will be hoping to get just eight votes for the acquittal of the chief justice.

The 188 members of the House of Representatives signed the eight articles of impeachment complaints on December 12 last year.

However, midway in the 43 days trial, the prosecution withdrew five articles, leaving only three including the non-disclosure of SALN under Articles 2.

The other two remaining complaints are Article 3 which covers allegation that the Corona committed culpable betrayal of public trust while Article 7 tackles partiality in granting the temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and husband Mike Arroyo to allow them to leave to escape prosecution.*PNA

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