After bashing defense's claims, Palace exec says gag order on Corona trial still stands

A Malacañang aide on Sunday maintained the Palace gag order on the trial of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona still stands – but not before bashing on government-run radio the defenses made by the respondent's lawyers. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Palace has not lifted its gag order but insisted it was commenting only on evidence already presented before the Senate impeachment court. “No we have not,” Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio, when asked if Malacañang had lifted its gag order. When asked why Palace officials are already commenting on the case, he said the things he commented on are “the evidence already.” Besides, he insisted the Palace has not commented on how the senator-judges should conduct themselves. “We commend the Senate president and the senator-judges in handling the entire impeachment trial,” he said. On the other hand, he “advised” Corona not to hide behind the technicalities of former Bureau of Internal Revenue officials when he takes the witness stand. “Huwag na magkubli sa technicality ng dating BIR official (Don’t hide behind the technicalities offered by former BIR officials),” he said. “Just show the naked truth, the simple request of the Filipino people,” he added. Lacierda countered claims that Corona is not obliged to explain his supposed dollar accounts. A newspaper report quoted retired Bureau of Internal Revenue official Estrella Martinez as saying Corona was under no obligation to reveal such accounts because of the Foreign Currency Deposit Act (RA 6426) and the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order against revealing such infromation. She was also quoted as saying that if Corona violates the TRO, he’s committing a heinous crime. He might be cited for contempt by those who signed the TRO. Lacierda insisted the requirement of the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth is to declare all assets, including dollar deposits. “The law does not distinguish if your cash is in pesos or dollars. They are considered assets (na) kailangan ideklara sa SALN (that should be declared in the SALN),” he said. He also cited an opinion from incumbent BIR commissioner Kim Henares that “very clearly there is no distinction when you declare your assets.” Lacierda also reminded Corona of his earlier statement he will tell the public his assets in due time. “Siguro matagal na ang sinasabi niyang pangako; ilalahad niya ang kanyang assets both peso and dollar. Pangatawanan niya ang pangako," he said. He also said Corona should testify on the supposed financial records disclosed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and show why he did not declare them in his SALN. Morales had testified Corona has about 82 dollar accounts with more than $10 million. Corona’s defense team claimed he had only three to four. “Whether its two or four dollar accounts, hindi nakita sa SALN niya (Whether it was two or four dollar accounts, none of the accounts were indicated in his SALN),” Lacierda said. Corona prepared Commenting on the defense claims that Corona is spiritually, intellectually and morally prepared to testify, Lacierda said the nation is also ready to hear his testimony. “Good for him, and the Philippines is also ready to hear his testimony and the prosecutors and senator-judges are ready to hear and ask further questions on that," he said. But he said the people expect him to tell the “truth” on why he did not declare many items, including his dollar accounts, in his SALN. “Gusto ng buong bayan marinig ang katotohanan sa kanyang deposito... bakit 'di niya idineklara ang dollar deposit sa SALN," Lacierda said. March gag order Last March 14, Lacierda claimed he and his deputy Abigail Valte will no longer comment on the Corona trial except when President Benigno Aquino III is “being unfairly dragged into the issue.” Lacierda said their decision was not a government policy, and that Aquino had nothing to do with it. At the time, he noted there were instances when the comments made by Palace spokespersons were unduly highlighted by the media. “We would rather that the focus be on the impeachment spokespersons doing their job of explaining what goes on in the trial itself,” Lacierda said at a Malacañang press briefing. On that same evening, however, Valte retweeted an “anti-Corona” news feature on Rappler.com. On the microblogging site Twitter, Valte retweeted an entry of journalist Maria Ressa about the “5 contradictions in Corona’s defense.” The time stamp indicated that Valte made the retweet shortly before 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The article of Rappler.com said: “It is the defense panel’s turn to prove the innocence of Chief Justice Renato Corona. But 3 trial days have passed, and Corona’s lawyers have done little to clarify his side.” — LBG, GMA News