Corona’s SALN remains confidential

Chief Justice Renato Corona’s Statement of Liabilities, Assets and Net worth (SALN) cannot be released to the public due to a Supreme Court regulation, according to a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras.”   Members of the prosecution team in Corona’s impeachment trial urged him to disclose his SALN in light of the Chief Justice’s questionable 2009 purchase of a condominium unit at The Bellagio in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.    Corona insists that he purchased the condominium unit legitimately and declared it in his SALN, but this cannot be confirmed because the document remains confidential.   Corona last disclosed his SALN in 2002, when he was the presidential adviser and chief of staff of then President Gloria Arroyo. His last SALN showed that the Chief Justice had a net worth of P13.9 million.   The prosecution team questioned the legitimacy of Corona’s transaction, pointing out that the Chief Justice earns a basic salary of P100,011 per month while the condo unit cost P14.5 million, based on the deed of sale.   “Meron bang enough resources from legitimate sources si Chief Justice Corona na bumili ng properties?” Rep. Neil Tupas, House chief prosecutor, said in the report.   GMA News asked for a response from Corona’s lawyer, Justice Serafin Cuevas, but the latter said he is busy preparing for Corona’s defense.   In an earlier interview, SC spokesman Atty. Midas Marquez justified Corona’s purchase of the condo unit, telling GMA News, “Ang punong mahistrado naman ay hindi naman din naghihirap sa buhay dahil magmula nang bata ‘yan, sa Ateneo na nagaaral ‘yan, tapos nag-aral pa ‘yan sa Harvard.” — AL/VS, GMA News