Chief Justice Renato Corona was found guilty as charged for not declaring his true wealth in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Netw Worth (SALN) at the end of the 44-day impeachment trial, May 29. CJ Corona was charged guilty of violating Article 2 of impeachment.
The Article 2 of impeachment states that:
“RESPONDENT COMMITTED CULPABLE VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND/OR BETRAYED THE PUBLIC TRUST WHEN HE FAILED TO DISCLOSE TO THE PUBLIC HIS STATEMENT OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES, AND NET WORTH AS REQUIRED UNDER SEC. 17, ART. XI OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION.”
The chief justice was convicted by a majority vote 20-3 of the senator-judges, including Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile's vote. Only 2/3 or 16 votes was needed to convict CJ Corona, who was found guilty of betrayal of public trust being unable to declare his $2.4 million and P80 million in bank accounts.
The senators were given much time to air their reasons for voting guilty or otherwise. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago had the longest speech (except that of the Senate President's) expressing her disappointment of the trial and castigating the prosecutors.
Who among the senator-judges voted to convict and voted to acquit? Here is the list of senators who voted guilty and not guilty:
GUILTY:
Edgardo J. Angara
Alan Peter S. Cayetano
Pia S. Cayetano
Franklin M. Drilon
Francis Joseph G. Escudero
Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
Teofisto L. Guingona III
Gregorio B. Honasan II
Panfilo M. Lacson
Manuel M. Lapid
Loren B. Legarda
Sergio R. Osmeña III
Francis N. Pangilinan
Aquilino Pimentel III
Ralph G. Recto Liberal
Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr.
Vicente C. Sotto III
Antonio F. Trillanes IV
Manuel B. Villar, Jr.
Juan Ponce Enrile
NOT GUILTY
Joker P. Arroyo
Miriam Defensor Santiago
Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
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