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(Updated 5:36 p.m.) After three weeks, the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday started trial on Article III of the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona.
 
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile allowed the prosecution team to proceed with the next article, which accuses Corona of betrayal of public trust for his alleged lack of independence, competence, probity and integrity.

• Respondent previously served Arroyo as her chief of staff, spokesman when she was Vice-President, Presidential Chief-of-Staff, Presidential Spokesman, and Acting Executive Secretary.
• Flip-flopping of the Corona Court on FASAP vs. PAL on a mere letter from Philippine Airlines’ counsel Atty. Estelito Mendoza (and also in the flipfloppingcase of League of Cities v. COMELEC)
• Respondent compromised his independence when his wife, Cristina Corona, accepted an appointment as on March 23, 2007 from President Arroyo to the Board of the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) in violation of Code of Judicial Conduct. Serious complaints were filed against Mrs. Corona by her fellow Boar members because of acts of misconduct and negligence. Instead, on actingon the complaint, the complainants were removed and Mrs. Corona promoted as OIC board chair
• Respondent has been reportedly using the judicial fund as his own personal expense account, charging to the Judiciary personal expenditures.
• Respondent Corona discussed with litigants (Lauro Vizconde and Dante Jimenez) regarding the Vizconde massacre case, which was then pending before the SC, and accused fellow Justice Carpio for lobbying for acquittal, in violation of Code of Conduct and Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act
• Respondent Corona irregularly dismissed the Inter-petal Recreational Corporation case under suspicious circumstances.

 
Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao, one of the public prosecutors, said the panel may still return to “pending incidents” relating to Article II, which accuses Corona of errors in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
 
At the onset of the prosecution team’s presentation of arguments on Article III, Enrile questioned why the panel is attributing the Supreme Court’s collegial decisions to Corona alone.
 
“Is the Chief Justice in control of the Supreme Court? Does the Chief Justice have power and control over the Supreme Court?” Enrile asked.
 
He then asked the prosecution to submit a legal memorandum on the extent and power of the chief justice over the high court. - Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News