Lapid: Corona’s ‘pizza pie’ did not convince me

Senator Lito Lapid on Tuesday voted to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona for alleged non-disclosure in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth, but admitted that the chief magistrate’s testimony almost got to him.

 

In an impromptu Tagalog speech to explain his vote, the senator said he was moved by Corona’s story about how his family suffered during the entire impeachment trial.

 

“Naawa po ako sa kanya. Akala ko totoo sinasabi niya, hindi pala,” Lapid said.

 

He said, however, that he began to doubt Corona when he presented a “pizza pie” or the pie graph on dollar accounts the chief justice presented in a slide show.

 

Lapid further said that the closing statement of Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas on Corona’s supposed “palusot” or alibis ultimately convinced him to convict the chief justice.

 

“’Yon pong ipinrisinta ni Congressman Fariñas, malinaw na si chief justice ay lumabag sa batas,” the senator said.

 

He further said that he used his conscience to arrive at his final decision.

 

“Hindi po ako nagmamarunong dito. Ang ginagamit ko lang dito ay konsensya. Ako po ay representante ng masa rito,” he said.

 

Before casting his vote Lapid said he felt humbled to be deciding Corona’s fate.

 

“Dedesisyunan po kataas-taasang hukom ng ating bansa ng isang high school graduate lamang,” he said.

 

The senator-judges are still casting their votes on Corona’s impeachment case as of posting time. — DVM, GMA News