PNoy: Nothing to hide in SALNs, psych records
President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday answered Chief Justice Renato Corona’s tirades by saying that he has nothing to hide in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs), as well as his psychological records.
Aquino said copies of his SALNs have been open to the public since 1998—the year he entered politics as a Tarlac congressman.
“So ano ang bubuksan ko? Kung hindi siya [Corona] nagbabasa ng diyaryo, nanonood ng TV o nakikinig ng radyo, hindi ko na po siguro kasalanan iyon,” he told reporters after a speech in Aurora province.
Aquino was responding to Corona's statements Friday daring him to release his SALNs and psychological records for public scrutiny.
Corona, widely associated with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, also accused Aquino of meddling with his impeachment trial in the Senate, where he is currently being tried for eight allegations, including his supposed non-declaration of some of his properties in his SALNs.
Aquino, who has repeatedly criticized Corona’s appointment as chief justice ever since he assumed the presidency in 2010, likewise brushed aside “issues” in his psychological records raised anew by the chief magistrate.
He said that authorities who have reportedly questioned his psychological state have long denied making these reports, or have long been dead.
“By the time nilabas ho ‘yung istorya, patay na po ‘yung doktor. Para siguradong hindi na sila kontrahin, naghanap sila ng patay na tao. Ganyan po ang klase ng mga kalaban natin,” Aquino said.
During the 2010 presidential elections, a fabricated document regarding Aquino's supposed mental health circulated on the Internet.
Father Jaime Bulatao of the Ateneo de Manila University's Psychology Department, who supposedly conducted the psychiatric evaluation, denied writing and signing the fake report.
Not personal attacks
The President likewise said that his criticisms against Corona are not personal attacks, but are directed “at the system of which he (Corona) is the personification.”
“Siya [Corona] ‘yung mukha ng pinaglalaban natin dito na dapat iayos ang sistema ng hudikatura sa bansa,” Aquino said.
He also refused to heed the request of some senator-judges in the impeachment trial to stop the word war between him and Corona.
“I think I am within my right to express my opinion… I speak for a sizeable number of our people, ‘di ba? That’s the essence of a democracy,” he said.
“To keep quiet about the whole thing, I think, is wrong. Time to time, I reserve my right to be able to say what I believe should be said to the people,” he added.
The President further said that he will respond to Corona’s tirades “if there is a need.” — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News
Aquino said copies of his SALNs have been open to the public since 1998—the year he entered politics as a Tarlac congressman.
“So ano ang bubuksan ko? Kung hindi siya [Corona] nagbabasa ng diyaryo, nanonood ng TV o nakikinig ng radyo, hindi ko na po siguro kasalanan iyon,” he told reporters after a speech in Aurora province.
Aquino was responding to Corona's statements Friday daring him to release his SALNs and psychological records for public scrutiny.
Corona, widely associated with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, also accused Aquino of meddling with his impeachment trial in the Senate, where he is currently being tried for eight allegations, including his supposed non-declaration of some of his properties in his SALNs.
Aquino, who has repeatedly criticized Corona’s appointment as chief justice ever since he assumed the presidency in 2010, likewise brushed aside “issues” in his psychological records raised anew by the chief magistrate.
He said that authorities who have reportedly questioned his psychological state have long denied making these reports, or have long been dead.
“By the time nilabas ho ‘yung istorya, patay na po ‘yung doktor. Para siguradong hindi na sila kontrahin, naghanap sila ng patay na tao. Ganyan po ang klase ng mga kalaban natin,” Aquino said.
During the 2010 presidential elections, a fabricated document regarding Aquino's supposed mental health circulated on the Internet.
Father Jaime Bulatao of the Ateneo de Manila University's Psychology Department, who supposedly conducted the psychiatric evaluation, denied writing and signing the fake report.
Not personal attacks
The President likewise said that his criticisms against Corona are not personal attacks, but are directed “at the system of which he (Corona) is the personification.”
“Siya [Corona] ‘yung mukha ng pinaglalaban natin dito na dapat iayos ang sistema ng hudikatura sa bansa,” Aquino said.
He also refused to heed the request of some senator-judges in the impeachment trial to stop the word war between him and Corona.
“I think I am within my right to express my opinion… I speak for a sizeable number of our people, ‘di ba? That’s the essence of a democracy,” he said.
“To keep quiet about the whole thing, I think, is wrong. Time to time, I reserve my right to be able to say what I believe should be said to the people,” he added.
The President further said that he will respond to Corona’s tirades “if there is a need.” — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News
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