The conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona paves the way for WHAT exactly?

Aptly put by Twitterzen @JesterInExile in his tweet: Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona was convicted in his impeachment trial in spite of and not because of the trial prosecution team. As Senate President and presiding officer of the impeachment trial Juan Ponce Enrile emphasized in his vote speech on Article II of the impeachment complaint delivered just before he issued the court verdict…

We have witnessed with disdain the indiscriminate, deliberate and illegal machinations of some parties who have been less than forthright with this Court in presenting dubiously procured and misleading documents which were spread to the media obviously to influence this Court’s and the public’s opinion.

It would be redundant to spell out here yet again the specifics around the gross disrespect and insult to the intelligence of the Filipino people the prosecution team led by their “representatives” Niel Tupas Jr and Rodolfo Fariñas had mounted in the course of “winning” this trial. My colleague Ilda had already summarised these just before the court re-convened after their Easter break. And Senator Enrile proceeded to enumerate these following the above passage.

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Indeed, the prosecution “won”. President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III won. Uncle Peping won (well, sort of). But does victory really extend beyond the frenzy of mutual high fives Tupas, Fariñas, and their boys are probably throwing at one another now? Certainly the pain which accompanied Enrile’s issuance of his vote was quite palpable as it was for a handful of Senator-Judges who also voted to convict. Not in the case of “Senator” Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan though. Kiko insisted that on top of impeaching Corona, the now ex-Chief Justice should be disbarred. Kiko being Kiko of course failed to grasp the irony in what he was saying — that the trial itself was a 40-day demonstration of precisely why it is the attorneys of the prosecution camp that are really the ones who should be disbarred.

On that note, let me just say it was a pleasure to serve the country side-by-side (virtually, at least) with the gentlemen and lady of the defense team, and the extended community of Netizens who used their brains, whether it be begging to differ to or affirming a view I happen to subscribe to myself. It’s nice to be in good company. As “an admired Filipino economist, based in New York” observed more than a decade ago

”What ails the country is that Philippine society is intellectually bankrupt.” Take, for instance, the national debates, she pointed out.

“They are droll and unintelligent, focused on the trivial or the irrelevant.” When the issues are of some significance, it’s the wrong arguments that prevail, the wrong side wins. Logic and common sense take the backseat to political arguments and the views of the poorly-educated.

Do the Filipino people have an equal claim to the victory defined by the prosecution camp and its extended clique of henchmen in the media and various “cause-oriented” groups? Perhaps so, if victory is defined to be an affirmation of the notion that the fundamental source of what ails Philippine society can be traced back to a single person or a clearly defined set of “evil” people. The conviction of Corona is just the most recent of a string of affirmations that give Filipinos that all-too-familiar warm fuzzy feeling that their wretchedness is the result of someone else’s wrongdoing.

This addiction to the national opiate goes way back. Filipino spirits soared as high as kites when the Spanish were driven out of the islands in 1898, when the Americans granted them independence in 1946, when the “evil” Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a “peaceful revolution” in 1986, when Joseph Estrada was removed from office in the sequel to that in 2001, when the “vile” Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stepped down as president in 2010, and, now, when convicted SALN understater Renato Corona is removed from the office of Chief Justice. What really happened at each milestone is that Filipinos lost one excuse to explain away their chronic failure as a people. Spanish imperialism, gone in 1898. American imperialism gone in 1946, the “Marcos kleptocracy” gone in 1986, the Erap “plunder” thwarted in 2001, the Arroyo illegitimacy gone in 2010, and now the showstopper of BS Aquino’s Daang Matuwid (“straight path”) campaign promise is gone.

With every imagined bogeyman vanquished, the real reason why Filipinos consistently fail to get it together becomes more evident — we are the very reason behind our own consistent failure to prosper. Our ability to externalise reasons for failure is fast running out. That Filipinos would elect to the presidency the least competent, most uninspiring, and least motivated among a wealth of excellent options back in 2010 was the seminal manifestation of this bald truth about our society. We set ourselves up for failure by design as an outcome of a profoundly flawed approach to thinking.

What then, now that President BS Aquino has secured another bullet point to add to his next State of the Nation Address (SONA)? At first, my colleague Arche asserts that the ball is in BS Aquino’s court now that that the chief reason for his presidential paralysis has been dealt with. But then he changes his mind and clarifies: “The ball has always been on [BS’s] court”. True. After the trial, focus will merely shift back to the still evident reality that BS Aquino lacks a vision of what the Philippines might look like after his term ends in 2016.

My other colleague Ben Kritz for his part tweeted shortly after the court issued its guilty verdict…

So, did you feel the Earth shift on its axis? Did your life suddenly change? No? Didn’t think so.

Indeed. After so many political solutions “implemented” and heroes galloping in from and out to the sunset, over the last 100 years, has the Philippines really progressed? I hazard to assert that it has progressed backwards — paatras ang asenso. From a quaint 19th Century colonial paradise to the poster child of American democracy in the Far East in 1946, the Philippines has since degenerated into a 100 million-strong largely irrelevant sovereign footnote in the region. The only reason we are making global headlines today is because we presume to stare down China with our non-Navy at the Spratlys.

That’s right. Now that the impeachment trial is over, the business of Getting Real simply resumes.

231 Replies to “The conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona paves the way for WHAT exactly?”

      1. yes, what is next? we hope benigno (simeon ba o cojuanco) parang ayaw yata bangitin ang family name ng mother nya. to our grandstanding politicians, segurdohin nyo na lalabas na ang SALN ni Miro at Neil, balita ko maraming mga undeclareds itong mga ito!!!!!!

  1. Uncle Peping won. That may prove to be a money-in-the-bank statement when Executive Branch disburses checks (and next-appointed Chief Justice and others of Supremo Korte says…. ayyyy… tama iyang pera-pera sa treasury check…. mali iyong dating isinulat nina Corona at iba pa nuong 2012!!) peso-per-hectare for Hacienda Luisita land…. checks to Kris Aquino and other stockholders of Hacienda Luisita.

  2. Ano na ang silbi ng hudikatura kung tanging mga mambabatas lang pala ang mag dedisisyon kung sino ang may sala…akala ko may piring lang ang mata ng Reyna Sentenshada (Lady Justice), may bago na pala shang imahe, Reynang Pugot (Beheaded Lady)

      1. Nope. Lady Justice is beheaded because it’s all POLITICS and not true justice anymore.

        What’s bad is that this is a trivial matter after all.

        1. marcos’ speech explaining his vote says it all. dispense justice without fear or favor.

          clearly senate who voted convict are pandering for favor in the form of votes to the filipino people.

        2. @Ismelina: All for the sake of the coming elections in 2013.

          ‘Kung pulitika ang pinaiiral dito, wala na akong silbi.’ -MDS

        3. Impeachment is neither civil nor criminal in nature. It is not traditional justice. It is an alternative where traditional justice is impaired.

          Good riddance to a chief justice who interpret the FCDA so absurdly.

        4. Care to explain how “traditional justice” is impaired? What exactly is “traditional justice” anyway?

          Also, if you call that interpretation absurd, you better get rid of all the politicians, since the way they deal with their money is guided by that same interpretation.

  3. Corona was convicted not because he was a thief but because of a piece of unwritten parchments but he gave his best reason why he didn’t wrote it.

    Other than that, the impeachment trial is nothing more than a pathetic political propaganda.

    The 20 senators who convicted Corona sold their very own souls to keep their popularity. Justice is perverted again.

    1. But many still perceive him as corrupt, unfit, liar and a lapdog of Gloria and thats why most Filipinos according to survey wants him convicted.

      1. Hey, Fishball,many thinking Pinoys would beg to differ from your yellow mindset. You believe in those surveys conducted by PNoy’s relatives?

        1. not the people I’ve talked with.

          From taxi t\drivers to tinderas, to students, to businessmen, etc. In short anybody I can talked with. I simply asked what they think of Corona. About 70% think he is lying or his wealth is stolen.

      2. Where were the surveys after defense finished their presentation? They were only present during the prosecution’s “showtime”.

      3. fishball….lagi ka na lang nauuto at nadadala sa flame cmapaign ng aquino admin ano? pathetic.

        just because we PERCEIVE things, doesn’t mean they ARE…but sadly how things are PERCEIVED to be are carries more weight than WHAT IS.

        when you look further, what these people want you to perceive, isn’t what is.

    2. his best reason is ridiculous.

      I prefer the independence between the 3 branches of government but after watching the proceedings, Corona has too much to hide. Many of his explanations does not hold water. Puro ante-dated ang legal papers, puro anka niya o ibang tao ang may-ari ng lupa, ng pera sa banko, etc.

      I was thinking an acquittal is imminent until Corona’s explanation that he relied on the FCDA. By this single argument I wished for a guilty vote so a more qualified Chief Justice can be had.

  4. Ang daming pantakip ng Pnoy admin, someone should wrote a book about this issue.

    The Philippines must not let itself be blinded by the media anymore.

        1. i read SOME of rappler’s articles…they are actually good…like for instance why philip philips won AI. it actually made sense.

          other than that…i skim over…haha.

        2. Ismelina,
          I know that article about Phillip Phillips. While at first glance it seems sensible because of the charts and “scientific” jargon, the topic of that entire write-up was a non-issue. It was a droll, petty, unnecessary write-up to begin with.

  5. I think these senator judges have misled their yellow minions to think that if they can hand CJ Corona’s head on a platter…that suddenly everyone will start walking the straight and narrow? Will they really?

    It seems that the naysayers are right…that this is done deal right from the start. A political process…one that seeks to divide a nation in the name the President’s Daang Matuwid.

    I can only pray that their intentions are indeed good…and their rhetorics in explaining their votes are sincere and honest.

    As I sit here…my heart crying for my country. All I can say to all these senator judges who voted to convict…I will hold you to task.

    1. The intention was good because it is part of the straight path, the reforming of the Philippines which the previous administration neglected.

      1. Straight path to HELL. They focus on trivial things like this than important ones like the economy and more jobs. Well, you’ll never listen because you’re a Yellow Zombie. 😛

        Worse things will come if PNoy doesn’t man up . Still, the Philippines would never progress after this because it’s the beginning of something much worse.

    2. I don’t think it was a done deal but certainly the odds are against Corona. I myself would hate to be judged by politicians. They’re unpredictable and have their own agenda

  6. what enrile said was one hell of an excuse… hindi magnanakaw si corona pero he as mocked as a thief… but on accounts of not writing your assets on a sheet of paper?? God bless us!!

    1. In the case of Rave v. Flores, Flores was removed from not declaring his property, a stall in the market. Same goes to every government official like Corona.

      1. That’s what I want to understand. That old case was about a business earning pesos and was under her name right?

        For Corona, it was commingled accounts and dollar accounts. both have basis to not be disclosed according to the CJ.

        From my understanding, it’s not entirely the same. Can you please enlighten me, because for me, it’s the LAW that should be corrected before it can be said that one fails to comply.

      2. @Fishball
        Are you referring to the court intrepreter who was sacked from her position due to non-declaration of her market stall in her SALN? She was interviewed by Taberna this morning, and she mentioned that the punishment for her non-declaration was LIGHT (payment of certain amount of sorts), but it was her taking double compensation that really sacked her from office. So there, let is be stated that it WAS NOT the non-declaration in the SALN that “impeached” her. FYI.

      3. Fishball,

        It’s plain as day that he DIDN’T declare his assets in his SAL-N…he admitted that to be so as well, with his reasons. granted his reasons didn’t fly in court, he should be punished accordingly, according to what is written, but not IMPEACHED.

        CJ Corona never committed anything impeachable…if you start saying he acquired his assets illegally or in a corrupt manner, then that’s hearsay….and should be proven in another court where he can be impeached.

        PEOPLE SHOULD BE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. All those people who believe the black propaganda and gossip should be ashamed of themselves. What if this happens to us? Wouldn’t we insist on people to give us the benefit of the doubt first before condemning us to the fires of hell?

        In the USA, whenever one is assigned to be a juror, one is banned from reading newspapers, watching the news, or hearing any news or opinion regarding the case they are assigned to. They are virtually given blinders to focus on the evidence that is given to them in court. this is because one’s judgement SHOULD NOT be tainted by third party opinions and hearsay.

        For me, the senate-judges should not be privy to public opinion and access to media pertaining to CJ Corona’s case to prevent their judgement being tainted or influence by the “court of public opinion”. It is only but fair and just.

        All the more I admire the trio who voted to acquit Corona…they mindfully placed their blinders on and focused on what is in front of them. Their vote is pure and non-partisan, not pandering to the public. That for me is the true “conscience vote”.

        1. “In the USA, whenever one is assigned to be a juror, one is banned from reading newspapers, watching the news, or hearing any news or opinion regarding the case they are assigned to…….”

          In the USA, the chief justice who will be hounded by these kinds of intrigues or scandals will resign faster than he can say “Corona”

          In Japan, he would have disemboweled himself faster than he can say “absolute confidentiality”

          In the Philippines….only in the Philippines.

          And you will have your own sets of rabid fans who will defend you til kingdom come when you already admitted your fault and accepted your fate…..only in the Philippines.

        2. In the USA and Japan, they have the CSI team and Detective Conan, so that you don’t need to hound crooks with intrigues or scandals but instead hound them with hard facts and indisputable evidence. These, in turn, wouldn’t depend on the crooks’ good graces to resign or surrender, but allows the state to mete out the necessary punishment.

      4. to set things straight, RABE vs. FLORES, not Rave…and FLORES is a Female…so definitely not “HIS”

        you must be very careful with your details, retarded zombie!

        1. Wow. Look do we have here, a grammar nazi. So how’s the weather Mr. Clean, it’s raining outside, aren’t they?

      5. Flores was not removed from office not because of non-declaration of SALN. And then again, your yellow zombie leaders are hiding the critical information. Flores was removed because of the MAIN crimes she did: double compensation, falsification of daily time records. The non-disclosure of her stall in the SALN is not major offense.

        Kaya nga mag-research ka imbes na maniwala agad!

        1. @wak-wak

          Modus na talaga sa mga yellow zombies kasi yang half-truths.

          Very revealing!

          Thanks for bringing that up.

  7. What’s the point of “due process” if the vote of many of those who voted was predetermined? As predictable as professional wrestling. It was pre-judged. Hence the word prejudice. People buy emotionally and try to defend logically. We saw that May 29, 2012 here in the Philippines.

  8. They may have won a case…however it does not mean: they are right…only time will tell, if this decision is right or wrong. If it will move the country forward or backward. Lying to Senate; fabricating fictitious evidences; Small Lady; Mr. Anonymous; Five minutes impeachments,etc…are now accepted in the Courts in the Philippines…what a country, we have. It’s really a Kangaroo Court that convicted Justice Corona…

    1. the small lady, mr. anonymous, is all irrelevant now and we must stick to the issue that Corona did not declare his large amounts of wealth in his SALN. The future issue will be Coronas disbarment

      1. No, I think the future issue should be to subject other public officials under a legitimate corruption-check process… But I doubt that’s ever going to happen no thanks to personal and political agendas.

        Seriously, the level of hypocrisy in this country is too d*mn high!

      2. irrelevant but don’t you think it’s disturbing to know that “they exist”? They used it and it worked so I’m sure they’ll use it again.

        I agree with Hyden Toro, time will tell if what happened yesterday was the right thing or not.

      3. If “small ladies” and “mr.anonymous” are going to be the SOP of the judicial process then you won’t mind if some did that to the 188 and the King in Yellow and his other minions? Come on tell that I’m wrong I dare you…..

  9. “Hindi po ako nagmamarunong dito. Ang ginagamit ko lang dito ay konsensya. Ako po ay representante ng masa rito,” – Sen. Lito Lapid… yet even the God of the Bible had to follow His own Law so that justice may be served right and then save us from the penalty of it…

    1. I think Lito Lapid is a much better senator than Miriam because he uses his humility and the truth to judge the Chief justice. And Lapid also has connection to the ordinary Filipino thats why I will vote for him in 2013

      1. Miriam is still a million times better due to his intelligence while Lapid doesn’t use his brains at all.

        I won’t vote for him for 2013 because he played POLITICS more than honesty.

      2. I agree with you. Lapid is a far superior judge than Santiago. Her rhetoric behind her judgment is flawed. Do you call non-disclosure of about Php200m a good faith omission? On top of this, she tried to bully the general public by hysterically shouting, with the purpose of swaying us to believe in her arguments. Brenda talaga this creature!

        1. Lito Lapid still fails the ‘So What?’ test since he voted for Corona’s conviction yet he honestly state that he had no knowledge about the law. At least MDS state FACTS, not rhetorics.

          So you’re saying that artistas are far more superior than those who are intelligent? No wonder why idiots like you prefer a Showbiz Government. 🙂

        2. Two decades have pass and still that “brenda” name calling of Miriam Santiago still exists? You guys are unbelievable! 😀

      3. Humility or contempt with intelligence??? there’s a difference…what I heard from Lito Lapid was contempt for smart people…

        Those who call MDS “brenda” or more updated…”gaga” display the same contempt…and you saying you prefer Lito Lapid over her means you prefer MEDIOCRE people.

        Mediocre people, mediocre government, mediocre country…that’s what we are. We won’t be like singapore, malaysia or japan with such mentality towards the intelligent.

        Btw, people thought those who thought that the earth was round and is not the center of the universe were insane. Think about that.

      4. an uneducated bastard much better than an expert constitutionalist and doctor of law?…it’s tantamount to saying that kinder pupils are better than college degree holders…what kind of society are we heading with this kind of mentality?…

        1. Am no fan of Lapid, the guy is a joke. But Brenda is a bigger and more painful joke. She does not have “principle” one episode in History she is provoking people to storm the gates of Malacanang via “lusob! lusob!” and before you can say “kapal ng mukha mo” she has slept with the enemy and then trying painfully to paint herself the epitome of “Rule of Law”.

          Careful coolass with name-calling though, that joke-of-an-uneducated-bastard Lito Lapid is a filthy rich senator while you are there, wearing that tacky red shirt and that jejemon cap.

        2. @fortheslowwitted:

          Nah, she was just playing politics in that one episode of History. But she fully realizes that she doesn’t want to be part since politics in the Pinas is totally bad of it and instead of using politics, she used her own logic, reason and her knowledge of the law to make things balanced.

          Ya know, the biggest and the most painful joke is that you prefer a government which is whored by media that keeps telling you that everything is ‘ok’ and never wanted to move forward as a society but to be part of a MEDIOCRITY.

          I hope not…

        3. Acting as a Defensor-Santiago apologist now, are you? Sorry to burst your bubble, but the only predictable thing about the lady senator is her being lunatically unpredictable. Her alliance is only to herself and her theatrics and hysterics are manifestations that are only considered “normal” “inside Mandaluyong”.

          And media….an open mind, regardless of a biased or fair media, will always be an open-mind. Everything depends on the reader and how he will chew, digest or regurgitate if needed.

          GRP is a form of media but it has different views, views that really literally “begs” to differ.

        4. @fortheslowwitted: For accusing her as lunatically unpredictable, there is no greater lunatic than the incumbent president, who wants to control the 3 branches of the government. Even I agree with MDS on her speech: ‘Kung pulitika ang pinaiiral sa impeachment court na ito, then wala na pala akong silbi dito.’ And she was right.

          Sorry to burst your bubble, but the very reason why the Philippines is Asia’ laggard is because most of Filipinos hate critically thinking SMART people. So stop being so EMO about it.

        5. EMO is for those who can not move forward.

          And REALLY SMART people do not tell that to themselves, other people say it for them.

      5. @ witwiw

        My handle is really doing its job. It was designed to attract the likes of you really.

        Am honored.

        1. Maybe he had a hard time comprehending with dictionaries and keyboards on both hands.

          I hear his kind whenever I visit the barbershop.

  10. What the Senate has just done was to write on the wall for everyone to see that “non-declaration of property in SALN” is a high crime and therefore violative of the consitution. This means that a senator or a congressman can face dismissal and perpetual disqualification from holding public office if he is charged and found guilty of similar crime before the ethics committee of both houses.

    I think what advocate citizens (lawyers especially) should do now is to start gathering evidence against our senators and congressmen who are suspected of not declaring in his SALN an asset irrespective of the amount or value. This should be of very high importance for ethics committees because we do not condone “high criminals” in this country.

    The CJ has paid the price. They have a set a precedent and it must be followed.

    1. An interesting twist, although one that will not be followed up on due to the high hypocrisy that ensues.

      Corona may have been guilty, but only he was prosecuted because he was on the wrong side of the ‘favors’ list.

      1. I share the same sentiments.

        Will we see more impeachment complaints raised? I doubt it. Unless there is another procedure where a government official can be removed from his position on the basis of his SALN.

        I like the idea that we can really weed out our government officials this way though and that resolution that Sen Escudero submitted.

    2. I say they should go ahead and do the same thing they did to the CJ just show them that using the same extra-legal tactics against them is fair play.

      1. It’s like saying Bobby Knight is not a respectable coach because of his profanity. Failed logic you have there.

        Miriam has a point on one of her speech: “Focus on what I say and not how I say it.” She’s quoting Margaret Thatcher.

      2. You are one patient guy responding to all posts here. I do not condone Miriams profanity in Senate or do I enjoy reading pofanity here in this website. The moderators simply removed the ugly comment of nelson. But before you start giving everyone a lecture here on who is right and who is wrong, i understand your sudden high about CJ’s conviction. It would be best to enlighten us to talk about the “what now?” and “what’s next?”. Your camp already won, so congratulations. Enough rubbing it in with flawed logic. Again, what’s next?

        To disbar the CJ, pfft! Again, it was stated by JPE that he was furious with the way member’s of the prosecution means of acquiring evidences. He statef instances and documents dubiously acquired. That is a reason for disbarment

      3. It’s like saying that Gordon Ramsay is not a respectable chef for raging foul words like sh*t to his amateur contenders in Hell’s Kitchen when in fact he’s just doing his job to make his restaurant’s food a 5 star food otherwise it’ll ruin its credibility in which the amateurs already did. What’s the matter you donkey? Being butthurt on her raging? You are exactly like that smartarse b*tch who just quit and summons Gordon Ramsay a fistfight when in fact Ramsay is just asking a simple question to him but he’s not actually giving reasons on those contenders he voted for elimination in episode 2 season 6. And that is also exactly what you did for not explaining Dadio’s simple question to you about GMA’s 7.6% GDP increase in her admin as opposed to 3.4% during pnoy.

        1. Correction: his first contender he voted for elimination and just saying “they can speak for themselves, they know who they are”.

  11. What’s next? Time to look for another diversion. Lest the people will start noticing the country’s progressive decline.

        1. That is probably a computerized document, signed by no one, placed inside a brown envelope, and given to him/her by a small lady inside a bank.

          Seems legit, if you ask me, since it was accepted in the highest court of the land. 😀

  12. The prosecution knew that the weaker senators which comprise the majority would somehow be pressured by public opinion, which is why they would never comply when asked to refrain from turning this into a trial by publicity or media.

    For change to actually happen, the 188 representatives plus 1 senator, and then the rest of our public officials must sign a waiver ASAP to open all their assets and accounts for public scrutiny.

    In fact, it must best be a requirement for those seeking public office or, particularly, re-election to sign such a waiver. Otherwise, transparency would only be applied to the current admin’s political enemies and not to ALL public officials—perverting not only the law but the very concept of justice itself, making things worse for the people—This would also prove that this exercise was nothing more than political posturing and opportunism on the part of the admin’s lackeys.

    If, as a consequence of this impeachment trial, the HL decision is somewhat modified or even reversed, then corruption have simply assumed a different form, making it not only even more insidious but ever more deeply ingrained, with all its adverse effects, in our society—A worse kind of corruption simply replaces the old—the proverbial white wash tombs filled with rotting corpses.

    1. No need to sign the waiver because they file their SALN in complete and honest declarations unlike what Corona did to hide his wealth

      1. Suuuuuuure. They are hiding nothing. They are all saintly, hiding nothing in those dollar accounts.

        Sarcasm ends.

        1. Miriam has a point after all. Since the senators voted the guilty verdict, does that mean we are all honest?

          It’s all politics.

      2. @Fishball

        That’s what they all say. But if they’re not hiding anything, they should not have any problem signing any such waiver. No double standards this time. We’re tired of partisan politics. Wala dapat na palusot.

        188 + 1 especially should sign the waiver!

        We should insist on this until it’s done. Otherwise, bistado na sila na meron itinatago!

  13. Regardless of the missteps of the prosecution, Corona’s conviction mainly arose from his OWN testimony when he admitted that he did NOT declare his dollar and peso account holdings in his SALN’s, as required by law. What other evidence do you need? Corona was unequivocally his own worst witness. Isn’t that the reason why most defendants are NEVER placed on the stand in other normal trials?

    Corona’s “palusot” of using the bank secrecy laws does NOT make any sense either because if he were acquitted, it would send a dangerous precedent to all public officials that they can simply hide their wealth in dollar accounts, which defeats the purpose of SALN’s in the first place. If you don’t want to truthfully declare all your wealth, then don’t enter government service.

    Moreover, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the highest judge and interpreter of the Constitution, of all people is held to the highest of legal and moral standards. If lowly administrative officers can be dismissed for not being truthful in their SALN’s, why should the Chief Justice be exempt? Corona’s conviction is a good first step in ridding the Philippines of corruption from high places.

    1. Juan Carlos, I’m with you all the way!

      And I’m also totally in agreement with the “Sign a waiver call” in Jonathan De la Cruz CROSSROADS column in today’s (05/30/2012) issue of the Daily Tribune http://www.tribune.net.ph/

      [W]e reiterate the almost unanimous call of an exasperated nation for all our public officials, especially those who skewered Corona no end to face up to his challenge: Sign a waiver to open their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALns) to full scrutiny to include, among others, a clear listing of all their real property assets and their bank accounts.

      As Corona himself advised, this unconditional signing of the waiver initially by the parties in this impeachment trial and, later, by all other public servants should culminate in a revision of the SALn rules to clearly state what the requirements of disclosure and accountability will go a long way in bringing our people together into the light of transparency and accountability.

      By this effort, such will no longer just empty slogans and political gestures but real and responsible performance of their oaths as public servants.

      And allow me please to add that the following should lead the WAIVER way:

      PNoy as head of the Executive Department and the heads of the Legislative Department, Senator Enrile, President of the Senate, and Rep. Belmonte, Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as Rep. Tupas together with the over 180 Representatives who signed the impeachment complaint, including, of course, the 20 Senators who voted to convict and remove from office the Chief Justice.

      Finally, the battlecry should now be–
      “DISCLOSE OR RESIGN!”

      1. They declare their SALNs completely and with honesty and signing a waiver is making them look like impeached. File an impeachment complaint first and pass it to the Congress.

        1. I agree on Teddy Locsin:

          “Can the chief justice be impeached for his interpretation of the law that his accusers completely agree with by not signing their own waivers? That is hypocrisy and a violation of the equal protection of the law.”

          It’s really unfair for Corona. Then why wouldn’t they do the same? It seems the fact is ALL government officials are corrupt.

        2. How are you so sure that they declare their SALNs completely and with honesty? Have you seen their wealth to say so?

          Moreover, the 188 congressmen (+PNoy and Drilon) should walk their talk. They dared Corona to sign a waiver opening his bank accounts to the public (which he did), so should they. Also, the congressmen and senators are not impeachable, so your statement makes absolutely no sense.

    2. Right on! If low profile people can be guilty of such crime, then why not Chief justice himself? And the investigation of his wealth and disbarment is now next.

      &jailcorona

    1. I would not go through them. If it is not in their favor they will take the blindside. #fact
      All they care about this their hides. That’s not transparency.

  14. The only thing that this conviction will lead us to is to give us a new CJ that will undo the Hacienda Luisita division done by Corona(simply because the Cojuangco-Aquino clan, being the “powers behind the throne” that they are, since the Philippines is also a “familiocracy”, that is, ruled by the family of a leader; will choose the CJ for PNoy). Those pseudo-leftists who betrayed our ranks(like De Lima and company) also helped with this fiasco. Even the media(esp. the Lopez family and their ABS-CBN)helped with this. Oh,yeah, these morons like to boast that they toppled the USSR through People Power(which they claimed as if it influenced other later revolutions) and now they are doing it for the sake of themselves without the people. Bunch of feudalism revivalists…

    1. we need a cj that is incorruptible and brilliant. Thats why Corona was removed because he is a follower of Gloria. And what helped to convict him was the truth that he hid his wealth, not by what you said.

      1. Incorruptible and brilliant, my a$$. It’s rare to find one. If you count Carpio and Serreno as one, then you have problems in your brain. 😛

        When Noynoy appoints a CJ, it will be a conflict of interest. When the Hacienda Luisita decision is reversed, I’ll say “I told you so.” Noynoy is also known for his incompetence, you know that. You’re happy that innocent people will be killed. It’s 2004 all over again.

      2. And do you think PNoy and his minions are morally fit? How can you explain on how the Congress voted for Corona’s impeachment e walang DELIBERATION na ginawa basta pirma lang. Noynoy used his pork barrel to bribe the Congress. When Noynoy appoints a CJ, it will be a conflict of interest. When the Hacienda Luisita decision is reversed, I’ll say “I told you so.” Noynoy is also known for his incompetence, you know that.

    2. same people who won’t mind to rename EDSA after Cory Aquino!! They didn’t invent People Power! Its people like Epifanio Delos Santos.

  15. As I said before… the worst is yet to come. The subtle control of the creeping dictatorship continues. Those who adore Mr. BS Aquino can never see him doing wrong. Yet he and his KKKK cronies continue with their impunity. Are we gullible enough to believe BS Aquino that there is no more corruption in his government? Divide and conquer is still the name of the game. Like many others here I saw already what was coming. The senatorial elections is coming. Opportunism is in the air again! The conviction is seen by the Aquino yellows as a “people’s victory.” It reminds me of the often used statement of triumph against the decadent enemies of communism. The socialist party list will still continue in its promotion of participatory socialism. They are with the one in the highest corridors of power. What will happen to our country when socialism prevails and capitalism is discarded? I repeat, the worst is yet to come.

    1. @Der Fuhrer

      Here we go again with your ‘pink and purple’ arguments. Who do you think you’re fooling? Reading between the lines of your arguments, all you’re saying is — “I will miss that cutie-pie hunk Quimbo”.

      Aminhin

      1. Try harder boy… Besides why don’t you ask the hidden flaming mariposa of the prosecution lead what it is all about. I answered your ad hominem, lies and fallacy. The truth is written on the wall. Thank you for validating your Nutzi style and character.

      1. Wrong again! 🙂

        The best is yet to come if Corona will stay. No pointless witch hunts. Justice to the poor farmers of HLI.

        Ang tunay na nagugulo ay ung mga nakaupo sa pwesto, inlcuding your schizophrenic incompetent president. Does that make sense?

        Your comments prove that you’re anti-intellectual. Because you want to focus on TRIVIAL matters.

      2. You are a true Nutzi follower fishball. When you, your family or friends become victims of the creeping dictatorship you will remember me. But then, if you are highly loyal to the one… you will reap a lot of benefits.

  16. THE FIRE RISES (an epic):

    The brainless chums are celebrating their victory by putting a supposed ‘corrupt’ official to jail. Most of them are partying like there is no tomorrow, even those who are part of the so-called ‘trial’ also take part.

    But when everyone is on their own bed to go to sleep, there is someone or something that is lurking in the shadows: a mysterious man with a group of ragtag men loaded with guns and some mysterious vehicles. From the shadows, they succeed on taking down any opposition; the police seemed powerless after all. They never find a way to stop this shadowy threat.

    And at 6AM in the morning, when the sun rises, multiple explosions were occurred in the whole Metro. Not only the commercial and business establishments, but all government institutions and buildings, like all of them are demolished. The city of Makati is in turmoil because of those explosions; buildings were completely destroyed and many innocent people were hurt or killed. The people and even the police went into hysteria due to the spreading chaos.

    Next is the culprits are raiding the PSE, killing all the personnel, destroying their records, sabotaging the whole economy. The mysterious man walks up to a helpless man, who is a businessman and a staunch supporter of the present government, grabbed him and beat him up until his bones were broken. Then the helpless man, beaten and bruised, asked the mysterious man in a stutter.

    “What are you?”

    The mysterious man answered: “I’m the Philippines’ reckoning.”

  17. It paves way for the demonstration that Filipinos can actually finish something they have started. :p

    It is funny how most in the GRP blog call PNoy both a dictator and a laggard when it is clear to me that it is impossible to be both. A bully can’t be a pushover. And PNoy is demonstrating, subtly, that he’s not a pushover.

    People have missed a lot about this man. While outside he projects the image of a fumbling playboy with a penchant for guns and fast cars, I am seeing lots of calculated moves underneath: keeping mum on and not challenging the Luisita decision but openly pursuing the impeachment, being hush-hush on improving economic numbers (compared to his predecessor) while everyone is focused on Corona’s fate, keeping a seemingly hands-off approach to the China situation, letting the US outwardly spurn a request for assistance, while quietly eliciting support and/or receiving equipment from Japan, India, Australia, Korea, and the US.

    This guy is cooking something away from our eyes, and while we’re “feasting” on the scraps he’s been laying on the table we’re oblivious to what’s on timer in the oven. This conviction is only a whiff of what’s cooking. To a point, it’s scary.

    I hate to say this lest people accuse me of being a yellowtard but it’s clear to me: either there’s more to PNoy than meets the eye, or naisahan tayo. I think it’s the latter.

    Time to dig deeper.

    1. @Jon

      I more or less expected a conviction from Day One but of course I personally did not want to let that happen without giving my two cents. Besides, as a pundit, it’s all about putting things on record. It’s good for reference and quoting myself in future articles 😉

      Like the presidential election, this impeachment was a numbers game. As I’ve said in the past, we cannot underestimate the power of irrational people moving in large groups. PNoy could not have done it on his own. He had people working for him to undermine Corona.Some volunteered themselves to become the small lady and fairy godmother dropping documents on gates. We gotta admit, he’s got a cult following. The members would do almost anything for him. If only he can learn to utilise their efforts for something good.

      I even wrote about these people’s devotion in my very first article about Noynoy Aquino before the election:

      The enormous number of men and women charging ahead with Noynoy Aquino without using a bit of brain to understand why they are doing so, is enough indication of what the most likely outcome of this election will be. It’s like Normandy all over again except this time, the troops are storming the beach for the wrong reasons. As they say in a war, it does not matter who is right or wrong, what matters is who is winning the war. But then soldiers are trained to follow orders without question. That’s not something we expect of voters.

      As for the perceived progress, that would be good if it’s real. But the evidence can speak for itself. Our diplomatic relations with China, our number one trading partner has gone pear shaped. We still rely on remittances to keep our economy afloat; our population is still growing at an alarming rate; people are still living along coastal areas where it is disaster prone and etc. Not much has changed, unfortunately. It’s just all perception that something is cooking. If the public believes it enough, they’ll stop breathing down his neck. And that is exactly what he wants until 2016.

      1. I’m not too concerned about China because there is a pattern to their saber rattling. It only happens during the Communist Party’s leadership shift. The machismo is all show, pero matatalo tayo if we lunge on the bait. Key example is the Sino-Vietnamese war of the early 90s: remember that that’s almost precisely the same time the Spratly islands issues cropped up.

        I am keenly aware that nothing has changed. Only the flavor of (non)leadership and petty elite.

      2. Your brilliant observations hit spot on. Like you… I already knew the outcome of the verdict. Tis the season of political opportunism and expediency… and the senators must act the part. Cheers!

    2. @JonLimjap: Perhaps there is no conflict between an assertion that BS Aquino (BSA) is a laggard and a dictator, because it is possible he swings between both in the same manner a puppet quickly changes character when passed between puppeteers.

      When given clear marching orders, say (hypothetically), from Uncle Peping, he snaps into jackboots mode. But when left to decide things on his own, he reverts back to that flaccid Yellow boy that we all know well and love.

      You can see that his most organised, sharp-edged, and fully-resourced initiative is the campaign to oust Corona — an initiative that has a pretty straightforward bigger-picture, shall we say, feudal goal. To me it looks like that one’s got true-blue seasoned executive management written all over it — a style that even by the longest stretch of the imagination cannot be attributed to BSA. Uncle Peping’s possible oversight in all this is something I explored in this article.

      Even the way BSA was made to run for the presidency came across as a project engineered from the outside and not motivated by his own personal sense of purpose. So your hats off may be better directed at those shadowy figures in the background (if they do exist) who managed to find themselves the perfect sideshow ape to serve their overarching purposes.

      In the past, we had foreign imperialism to thank for that bigger purpose and context to our politics. Today, we have advanced a bit more in that, at the very least, it may actually be possible that the imperialism we depend on for a bigger purpose is now domestic in origin. 😉

      1. I would posit that these elite of the late 20th century are, in their minds, merely reclaiming what had been lost to their members who were brazen enough to claim everything for themselves. Marcos (almost?) succeeded. Arroyo gave it a go but tried doing it too fast. 😉

        It looks feudal, perhaps, but we have to move beyond the social models of the middle ages and the imperial colonialist ages and give notice to the rise of a different force, comprised of an economic elite that does not necessarily represent families, or nations, or geopolitical divisions or even race.

        At this point it’s all speculation, of course, but it’s a game all of us have to play in anyway.

      2. @JonLimjap: Then again Pinoys may not be ready to move past the feudal model as they still seem to think the same way superstitious fire-and-brimstone-fearing serfs thought back in the 12th Century.

        Back then, lords of manors changed but serfs remained serfs. That cycle kinda sounds like the last 100 years of Philippine history, doesn’t it? The cycle period seems to have considerably shortened in the last 30 years though what with “representative democracy” simply accelerating the musical chairs. Perhaps democracy succeeded in improving the turnover of names and faces but didn’t do much as far as improving the turnover of cash across a broader swath of Pinoy society.

    3. Im sorry to say this but I think Noynoy is the greatest president we ever had by making all the people from the previous administration accountable for the damage that they have done to our country.

      1. Nope, he’s not. Gloria is much better compared to him when it comes on doing the job of a president. She is the perfect example of what a leader should’ve been: shut your mouth and do your job. What Noynoy did is keep on blaming the past administration while there are many important things to do.

        Saying that he is the greatest president because of his ‘anti-corruption’ drive. Yet those things are TRIVIAL matter. So how about the economy and having more jobs. I call that a very bad joke because it seems you’re glorifying his cowardice, childishness, and incompetence. I bet you’re all like that on the 3 things that I’ve mentioned.

        Fishball, you’re also… ABNOY! 😛

      2. Still, you have no ball to explain the 7.6% GDP increase during the past administration. That means that you’re like whiny little kid just like PNoy. 😛

        Deal with it.

      3. @Nutzi Fishball

        “I think Noynoy is the greatest president we ever had…” You be jesting. In a deck of cards the one would be the joker not the king. Why don’t you ask the people of Mindanao what they think? His indolent ways in neglecting his duties and responsibilities while focusing on his perceived enemies makes him great? What did he do for the country and the people?

      4. Making people accountable is well and good if done properly and not in a polarizing manner.

        PNoy was very, very sloppy in handling this issue, and have been gloating in their bias instead of allowing his prosecution team to do the talking.

        The prosecution team, on the other hand, was downright idiotic and criminal. That’s NOT the way to impeach anyone whether or not they’re associated with Arroyo or not.

    4. Interesting post, Jon. I wasn’t too concerned with the outcome of the impeachment trial as much as I was concerned with the aftermath. Either way, no one’s life was going to change anyway. We’re back to the daily grind of song-and-dance routines and mind manipulation through media. Hey, it’s da pinoy way! 😉

      I don’t associate the word “dictator” with Pnoy either, simply because he doesn’t seem to have what it takes to be a good one (are you kidding me? hahaha). However, I agree with you that something is lurking out there. The media is too dumb to pick-up on anything like this, so thanks for sharing that thought and formulating the words better than I can.

  18. Step 1: GTFO Corona.
    Step 2: Enter Carpio.
    Step 3: Luisita farmers are FUBAR.
    –OR–
    Step 3: All your government are belong to us. (“Us” being the Yellow Army.)

    Heil PNoy!

  19. The conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona paves the way for WHAT exactly?

    Answers:
    1. Rule of law will prevail
    2. Justice will rule the land
    3. Corona will be convicted for criminal charges
    4. Corona will be disbarred
    5. Prosperity of the Philippines

    1. I look forward to item number 5. I just don’t know why you think it has to come after 3 and 4. It should be after 1 and 2 and definitely not after the blatant violations committed by the prosecution on the very law you are talking about.

      It’s like you are saying Filipinos cannot follow the law unless he is out of the picture.

      Check your logic.

    2. @puke_of_law

      “The conviction of Chief Justice Corona paves the way for WHAT exactly?

      Truth:

      1. Expediency and opportunism will prevail in support of the creeping dictatorship.

      2. Double standards of Injustice and inequity will rule the land.

      3. Corona will still be persecuted pending the filing of criminal cases.

      4. Corona will be the subject of disbarment proceedings. This comes first as you are so sure he will be disbarred by the one.

      5. You must be jesting… The economy is down, there is massive unemployment, poverty is increasing, prices are going up, investors are still assessing the economic, peace and order and security situation. “Prosperity in the Philippines”???

    3. “You are remembered for the rules you break. Not the rules you follow.”
      -Gen. Douglas MacArthur

  20. “The conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona paves the way for WHAT exactly?”

    If The Constitution is upheld, it will certainly pave the way for a new morally-fit, no-alibi, no-drama, non-midnight-appointee Chief Justice. 🙂

      1. The bottom line is political expediency, opportunism and double standards combined with political deception and manipulation will feed the growth of the creeping dictatorship. Watch the dictator as he continues his destructive ways. The ends justify the means. Total control combined with divide and conquer is still his goal.

        1. @ Der Fuhrer

          From what I recall, history clearly narrates that dictatorship happened only when a despotic ruler went hyper-drive power-tripping that consequently led to a series of unfortunate events – the proclamation of Martial Law; the abolition of Congress; the closure of rival print and broadcast media; the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus; the detention and torture of opposition leaders; the assassination of political enemies as Ninoy Aquino; the snap election turned nationwide cheating; the escalating insurgency problem; the gargantuan budget deficit; the aggravating economic crisis; the colossal foreign debt; and the large-scale graft and corruption via bribery, racketeering and embezzlement of unparalleled proportion perpetrated by no less than the dictator himself. And so far, none of these atrocious incidents of the worst kind is happening now. 🙂

        2. @Princess Urduja

          His is an informal dictatorship. Very subtle as he slowly controls even you without firing a shot, declaring martial law or another yellow coup. I sometimes have nightmares when I remember the presentation video of Baron Buchokoy. The yellow bars are closing slowly… If you think BS is squeaky clean and not a subtle dictator then you must be living in another dimension.

    1. @ Der Fuhrer

      Before it’s “creeping dictatorship”. (Is there even a running or flying dictatorship?) And now “informal dictatorship”. (So was Marcos’ dictatorship, formal?) So what’s next? Invisible dictatorship? Imperceptible dictatorship? Unfathomable dictatorship? My gosh, is there a form of dictatorship from another dimension? Or parallel universe perhaps? 🙂

      1. @PrincessUrduja
        I defined my terms. You like Quantum Physics? Do not deal with fallacies and ridicule. The bottom line is there is an informal dictatorship without a written and signed declaration.

        1. The Princess is stuck in the 20th century. She is ignorant of the fashionably subtle style of dictatorship for the 21st century. It’s pitiful, actually, to be seen still wearing shockingly outdated paradigms.

          So what’s next? Invisible dictatorship? Imperceptible dictatorship? Unfathomable dictatorship? My gosh, is there a form of dictatorship from another dimension? Or parallel universe perhaps?

          Look at that, her ignorance exposed, the Princess enumerates whatever fancy notion comes into her mind to pretend to have a grasp of the situation.

        2. @ Der Fuhrer

          “I defined my terms.”

          Yes, you did. But it doesn’t mean that your brand of “dictatorship” exists in the real world, meaning above the earth’s crust, specifically in the Philippine archipelago.

          “You like Quantum Physics?”

          Sometimes. 🙂

          “Do not deal with fallacies and ridicule.”

          I apologize if I ridiculed you but who committed fallacy is debatable.

          “The bottom line is there is an informal dictatorship without a written and signed declaration.”

          And my point is whether “informal” or “subtle” dictatorship, most probably it only exists in your head. And I’m not kidding.

        3. @ Anonimo

          “The Princess is stuck in the 20th century.”

          I was just enumerating some important details in our country’s recent history but it doesn’t mean I was stuck in the past. FYI, the study of history determines the future. As a wise man once said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

          “She is ignorant of the fashionably subtle style of dictatorship for the 21st century.”

          Am I really that “ignorant” or you just happen to have a proclivity to the genre of FUTURISTIC FICTION? 🙂

        4. You think the 21st century is still in the future? Yup, you’re stuck in the past.

          Also, you said it yourself, gotta learn from history. Look who has learned that Ferdinand Marcos’s style will not work now because people are watching for things like declaration of Martial Law, suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, media closure, etc.

        5. Ooopsss….

          I underestimated, my mistake. I never thought there will come a need to change my username to “fortheslowerwitted”.

          My bad.

      2. @ Anonimo

        “You think the 21st century is still in the future?”

        Are you sure your question is logical? FYI, the 21st century is the current century of the Anno Domini, so its first 11 years are historical but the rest are still in the future. Check your Gregorian calendar, please. LOL

        “Yup, you’re stuck in the past.”

        That’s impossible. I don’t have a time machine. Do you?

        “Also, you said it yourself, gotta learn from history.”

        And did you learn any lesson from “history”? I doubt it. So far you’re just sharing your interest on futuristic fiction while gazing at your crystal ball. LOL

        “Look who has learned that Ferdinand Marcos’s style will not work now because people are watching for things like declaration of Martial Law, suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, media closure, etc.”

        And you learned them all from your gift of fortune-telling? Wow, where exactly in Quiapo is your spot? 🙂

        1. My past comments show that I was talking in terms of centuries, with the 21st century being the present century. But since you were caught flatfooted with your outdated 20th century mindset exposed, you try to make it appear that we were talking in terms of years.

          Oh, and it’s getting stuck in the past in a figurative sense, by the way. I realize I have to spell that one out for you, because you’re dim-witted to figure it out yourself, just as you have poor intellectual capacity to learn from history such that your attempt at grasping my brilliant conclusion adds up to calling it fortune-telling. As they say, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

          Also, you’re the one who keeps mentioning time machines and crystal balls. It seems you’re the one with a knack for fiction.

        2. “…such that your attempt at grasping my BRILLIANT conclusion adds up to calling it fortune-telling.”

          brilliant as in:

          “BRILLIANT performance today from Chief Justice Renato Corona. He laid himself out in a manner ordinary Filipinos could relate with. The simplicity of his lifestyle, the straightforward manner with which he accumulated his wealth,…”

          I guess having 20:3 conviction/acquittal ratio succinctly puts the BRILLIANCE in it.

        3. @ Anonimo

          You couldn’t even write the precise century so who’s “dim-witted” again?

          You’re “ignorant” of sense of humor so who’s with “poor intellectual capacity” again?

          What “brilliant conclusion” are you talking about? Your “fashionably subtle style of dictatorship” that you saw from reading your mystical tarot cards? LOL

          Sorry, no critical thinking person can ever argue with Madam Auring. 🙂

        4. @ Daido Katsumi

          This one I agree with you completely. Only an idiot will sense sarcasm in your “clear-as-day” reply.

        5. @ Daido Katsumi

          By the way,

          “BRILLIANT performance today from Chief Justice Renato Corona. He laid himself out in a manner ordinary Filipinos could relate with. The simplicity of his lifestyle, the straightforward manner with which he accumulated his wealth,…”

          is an excerpt from Benigno’s article 🙂

        6. What the hell happened here?

          Anyway, thank you impostor, I now realize who I was facing against: a princess lost in time and fantasy. One who weasels out by saying “’twas a joke.” Although she did make me laugh when her fantasy now involves me being Madam Auring.

          And just to be charitable to slow witted ones: different people and different contexts leads to different valuation of adjectives like “brilliant.” Nice try at picking up on one mistake you thought I made and making a big deal out of it.

        7. Nope. ‘Just goes to show how easily your minions will pounce on a perceived dissenter without comprehending the other side’s argument first; Too damn proud to accept mistake.

          And p-a-l…leassssssse.

          “Is that all you got? Brandish an ill-thought statement you managed to hook with your trap?”

          As if the direction of your discourse is going somewhere say, cerebral?

        8. “As if you can steer the discourse into something cerebral.”

          Hooked the fish by the mouth – check!

        9. Hindi na tinatanggi ang kanyang sariling kababawan, hanggang panghuhuli na lang ng mga tao sa kanyang patibong ang kaya nyang gawin.

        10. @ witwiw

          I guess the mixture of idiomatic expressions, analogies and other figures of speech is not something most posters can readily comprehend.

          It is inevitable in the process of deliberation to include explanations that may seem “unrelated” but are in fact relevant to the discussion as framing the argument strictly on the subject is arguably impossible.

          Furthermore, it is also imperative to have a relative good command of the medium.

          Some words may seem highfalutin to some but hackneyed to others. If I may add, there are a generous amount of words coined in the last couple of decades that have not found their way to standard dictionaries. There are lots of books with the said topics. So in case you can not google the word, that does not mean it does not exist. And that does not mean the writer is not well read. The truth may be the contrary. Case in point, Fallen Angel’s take on Filipinos as opposed to Pinoys, might, in the near future make it to the books. Here in GRP alone, there is already an implied meaning differentiating the two.

          Some, on the other hand, would like to project a certain degree of sophistication by virtually substituting mathematical equations such that if A = B, then B = A, which is oftentimes not the case, at least in logic.

          There are of course a plethora of other noteworthy “nuggets” that will help you discern and comprehend.

          My point in this though is for you to step back a little, learn no matter how incremental that is, then comprehend (in the truest sense of the word).

          After that, give me the honor of engaging you – i.e. after that.

        11. @ fortheslowwitted

          So you think explaining this to witwiw will enlighten him?!

          For all you know, he might agree with you it’s just that this language barrier is preventing him because he comprehended it differently.

          Just a suggestion:-)

        1. @PowerBoy: NOPE. YOU are. 😛 Der Fuhrer’s post made sense and the ‘TROLL’ term goes to someone named rule_of_law.

          *thumbs down*

    1. @Der Fuhrer

      Yes, indeed the truth will set you free. So, what are you waiting for … just come out of the closet!

      1. Der Fuhrer said that YOU should come out of the closet. From the Yellow Fever that you are experiencing. 😛

  21. Corona got convicted.

    But some idiot Fliptard still got run over at Commonwealth Avenue despite the big pink sign that says “Bawal Tumawid – May Namatay Na Dito”.

    Call it a perverse pleasure, but I enjoy watching Pinoys do stupid things despite their clamor for “justice”, “truth”, and “accountability”. That dope who got run over certainly comes from the demograph who hate Corona for the drama not the offense: People who think they have absolute right to do anything, including being fatally stupid to themselves.

    Oh, and Tupas et al. didn’t prove squat; they were too stupid carrying out their master’s hate down to the paper. Corona admitted what turned out to be an offense, so Enrile rightly says, and I think he is correct.

    And now that Corona is down and out, who is going to call out on the 188 speed readers in the legislature? Not the yellow crowd, to be sure. They think they won out of sheer yellowness.

    1. Wow!!!

      What a shocking example! The poor guy (whom you referred to as idiot, Fliptard, dope, stupid) could have been your kin. You better check!

      You judged that person with just that single incident that cost him his life.

      I guess it’s only common sense that you found Corona overwhelmingly guilty, with his not-so-shining incidences coming from both left and right, up and down……right? Or like Corona, you have another set of standard?

      1. You also better check because if Corona got convicted like this, then how much more the ordinary Filipino? Oh yeah, the poor guy that he’s talking about will also go play victim if he does something wrong and say ‘Mahirap lang kami.’

        It’s really bad to defend the dysfunctional Filipino culture if you ask me. Filipinos can never progress if we never follow simple guidelines.

        Stop being so EMO and use your brain for once. It seems you’re trying to insult everyone here with your ‘Pinoy’ thinking.

        1. “You also better check because if Corona got convicted like this, then how much more the ordinary Filipino?”

          Suddenly, the plight of the “untouchables” becomes the plight of the ordinary Filipinos. It’s the other way around, actually. The plight of the ordinary Filipino becomes the plight of the untouchables. Now, that is equality.

          “Oh yeah, the poor guy that he’s talking about will also go play victim if he does something wrong and say ‘Mahirap lang kami.’”

          That is of course a baseless assumption. You could have played victim yourself if you do something wrong and say ‘Mahirap lang kami.’

          “It’s really bad to defend the dysfunctional Filipino culture if you ask me.”

          Indeed it is! That depends on our standards though. I also find “going-ballistic-and-cursing-in-front-of-National-TV” dysfunctional. I also find saying something like “I will jump on a flying airplane if so-and-so wins” then maniacally saying “I lied” like eating puke is a palatable human endeavor, dysfunctional. But people have entirely different views that there are some who find these are hallmarks of a role model.

          “Filipinos can never progress if we never follow simple guidelines.”

          Simple guidelines like you do not leave the courtroom unless expressedly given by the court? Damn right!

          “Stop being so EMO and use your brain for once.”

          Now this is the classic “I-even-threw-the-toilet-now-I-ran-out-of-ammo” parting shot. Like you indeed established something, right?

          “It seems you’re trying to insult everyone here with your ‘Pinoy’ thinking.”

          No, I am not insulting everyone here: only those who contradict themselves.

          However, I find that post of Hugh very, very perverted and revoltingly distasteful.

        2. Nang-iinsulto ka pa rin. At kung ikaw ang nasaktan sa insulto, tinamaan ka kasi. Nagbibigay ka ng insulto, matuto kang magtanggap ng insulto.

          I guess it’s only common sense that you found Corona overwhelmingly guilty, with his not-so-shining incidences coming from both left and right, up and down……right? Or like Corona, you have another set of standard?

          Ikaw na ang walang double standard sa pag-iinsulto!

        3. If the poor accident victim is related to you, then I may probably give his post some deeper thought but will still leave room for doubt. After all,

          (1)one mistake does not necessarily earn him the name-callings made
          (2)there is no conclusive study that “shortsightedness” (to put it correct, politically) is indeed hereditary

          If it were you, that will be a totally different scenario.

          Ciao

  22. http://ph.news.yahoo.com/palace-scouting-cj-replacement-160000759.html

    Sen. Franklin Drilon, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Henares and Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza are among those President Aquino is eyeing to replace Chief Justice Renato Corona, sources said yesterday.

    Justice Antonio Carpio might not be named chief justice because he does not seem to enjoy the trust and confidence of the other justices in the tribunal, sources hinted.

    If this is true then good luck for the yellows.

    1. No way.

      We’re screwed all the more.

      Also, @Jon: Man, ‘di puwede — edi dun naman siya manggugulo sa SC. D:

  23. CARPIO is now the acting chief justice…something for the KKK to rejoice about…they can now really really really get away with murder…sabi ko na nga ba yun ang ending eh, talo pa din tayong hamak na tax payers…ay caramba!

  24. I’ve shown the Justice Corona DVD Trial to a good friend, who is a District Judge, here in California…he just burst into laughter. He told me: “It’s a Kangaroo Court put by Enrile…going thru a Mockery of a Trial, with real actors and a comedian, playing their role”…

  25. CHALLENGE! CHALLENGE! CHALLENGE! CHALLENGE!

    TO: Any supporter of the Aquino administration lurking around and reading this

    I challenge you to answer this question: now that Renato Corona has been convicted and removed from office… what now? What will change? How do you envision the Philippines 365 days from the date of the proclamation of the impeachment court’s judgment?

    Will we no longer hunger? Will we no longer suffer unemployment? Will Mindanao no longer suffer widespread blackouts? Will there be no more vagrants walking the streets? Will there be no squatters dirtying the Pasig anymore? Will all public officers, from the top to the bottom, both allies and enemies of the administration, be required or compelled to disburse to the public the contents of their SALNs as part of the “crusade” for transparency and accountability? Will news about the President’s love-life stop occupying screen time? Will all corruption cease?

    Will anything change, anything at all?

    Answer this question concisely and briefly.

    1. You got the worst perspective. Let’s put it this way:

      Compare the problem using your house as an analogy:

      You have a stench problem emanating from the toilet because of poor plumbing. You fix the plumbing so you can arrest that stinking mess that makes you vomit whenever you and your family are having your meal.

      Fixing the plumbing though does not mean you will have your food on your table, or electricity on your appliances, or decent clothing or at least nausea-free sleep.

      You still have to work.

      I guess what some of us is inclined to do is to just stay in his house, wait for their meals and electricity to come, and then curse the plumber.

        1. Marami namang nagbantay. Yung iba mga “certified” tubo inspector kaya sa 23 na nag-quality check, 20 ang nagsasabi ayos na ang pagkakagawa. 3 lang nagsabi na mali ang pagkakagawa.

          Tignan na lang natin. Medyo nabawasan naman ng isang amoy e.

        2. Bakit “certified”, may “” pa? Tingnan na lang natin? Hindi mo rin pala sigurado.

        3. You lost your analogy there. Kindly review your Literature.

          Can’t catch up, eh?

          I guess so.

          One thing I am certain though, the toilet just lost a relatively substantial amount of stench. Corona was one large chunk of toilet impediment.

        4. Ito ang tinatawag na lumilihis sa usapan. Paano ba nasira ang analogy, aber? Ikaw nagsimula ng tungkol sa kubeta. Ngayong pinakita ko na ikaw mismo, hindi ka naman siguradong naayos na nga ang kubeta sasabihin mong nawala na ako sa analogy. Sarili mong analogy, ikaw pa ang pumalpak.

        5. Ganyang-ganyan ang palusot ninyo ni Corona.

          “Wala akong alam sa debit/balance na yan” or words to that effect.

          Kakahawa yan.

        6. Aba, nagkakalat ka pa rin dito. Malinaw ang pagkakaintindi ko sa iyong Ingles. Ikaw yata ang hindi nakakaintindi ng Tagalog kasi hindi mo pa sinasagot ang tanong ko: paano nasira ang analogy?

          Ganyang-ganyan ang palusot ninyo ni Corona.

          A ganun pala, kapag di mo na maintindihan, tatawagin mo na lang palusot. At dahil si Corona sa wari mo ay “masamang” tao, ang iyong opinyon na sumasalungat sa kanya ay tama dahil “morally superior”.

        7. Hahaha

          @ witwiw

          Let’s see…..

          Posted June 4,

          Responded June 10

          Slow?!

          No, Slowest!!!! I underestimated you.

          A snail could have made it the other day. It took you really that long for that …..trash of a construction as……rebuttal?!

          Hey, dictionary is just a click away, for your information. Hahaha.

          Try changing your handle and then apply a different tack. Tsk! Tsk!

        8. “A ganun pala, kapag di mo na maintindihan, tatawagin mo na lang palusot. At dahil si Corona sa wari mo ay “masamang” tao, ang iyong opinyon na sumasalungat sa kanya ay tama dahil “morally superior”.”

          Duh?! ….di natin alam yang debit…..?

          Chief Justice, professor, SGV,”first among equals”, doesn’t ring a bell?

          You still don’t get it don’t you?

          If you still don’t get it this last one, you’re wit went wiw already.

          3 : 20 ?!

  26. did you know na ang reason why pina alis yung gov’t employee na plaging na memetion ng mga senador noong nag decide na cla kung guilty or not c corona is that she is getting double compensation from 2 gov’t office.. hindi yung dahil hindi nya na ilista yung kanyang negosyo sa SALN nayan.. yung SALN ay pwedeng ma correct dba? matuwid na daan daw sabi ni PNOY yan ba ang prosesyo, ni simpleng fact nga mali2x payung pag preenta. Is our president really doing us this big favor that we are blinded by his families reputation? Manipulation ang nang yayari lalagay nya lahat nang pabor sa kanya para hindi obvious na wala syang ginagawa! mabuti pa si Sen. Lapid kahit hindi marunong mag engles highschool graduate lang nakapasa pa nang CARABAO BILL. what a shame anong gnawa nya before na ging presidente xa? hahaha anyone?

    1. Weh!

      That is the problem with those who defend those with problems in credibility: they share the same predicament.

      1. Weh!

        everyone is entitled to there opinion. i’m not saying that dapat hindi xa pa-alisin akin lng naman is na yung stand dito ni pnoy is if your not with me alis ka dyan sa pwesto mo.. saan and democrasya dyan.

        1. Personally, I don’t like the idea of having Lito Lapid and his likes in the Senate.

          In your case ann, check your grammar and spelling, baka magkamag-anak kayo ni Lito Lapid. The said fact is walang impeachment sa katulad nyo kasi nga democracy tayo.

        1. it hurts, doesn’t it?

          I personally do not find satisfaction nor a sense of accomplishment in defending the brazen and the unprincipled just because “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”.

          Cheer up though, the worst is yet to come 🙂

        2. @fortheslowwitted: So you think the 20 senators who voted for the had principles? I don’t think so.

          It’s like saying “Let’s just get over with it” w/o any second thoughts. It seems you find satisfaction on gloating, do you?

        3. Sino na nga ba may sabi na

          Personally, I don’t like the idea of having Lito Lapid and his likes in the Senate.

          pero ok lang kasi dagdag boto na rin sila.

          “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”

        4. @ quickwitted daw

          “pero ok lang kasi dagdag boto na rin sila.”

          I do not remember posting that. I do remember though posting

          “Personally, I don’t like the idea of having Lito Lapid and his likes in the Senate.”

          I find his likes boring and slow witted, but I never mentioned them being brazen and unprincipled, magkaiba yun; Or do you need me to translate in Filipino?

        5. The most basic no-brainer issue here is:

          The Law used to convict that lowly court interpreter should be that same Law to be used to convict her mighty judges.

          That is a principled stand, is it not?

        6. Hayan napakita rin ang kawalan mo ng alam.

          http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=812796&publicationSubCategoryId=63

          Flores was reportedly just reprimanded for failing to declare in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) a market stall she owned, but the Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s ruling to dismiss her from government service for betrayal of public trust for allegedly receiving double compensation after she received salaries as municipal government employee and as interpreter.

          Parehong batas pala, ha? So dapat pala na-reprimand lang si Corona sa “mali” nya sa SALN. Kung may double compensation sya, dun lang sya masisibak sa pwesto.

        7. @ witwiw

          Really now? So where did you get your source, uhm….Supreme Court?! Sa Judiciary?! Sa Defense?! Kay Corona?!

          Yun din ang nagpaskel ng track record ni Corona a. Pero tinanggal na rin, medyo may “irregularity” e.

        8. E ikaw, saan galing yang alam mo? Kay Noynoy? Executive? Prosecution? ABS-CBN?

          Yung nagsasabi ng 45 properties pero 5 lang pala?

        9. I took the liberty of posting this verbatim from Wikileaks since you did not mention this on your list of bias sources:

          “In the Philippines, “betrayal of public trust” is one of the impeachable offenses. In Francisco, Jr. vs. Nagmamalasakit na mga Manananggol ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino, Inc., the Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that the definition of “betrayal of public trust” is a “a non-justiciable political question which is beyond the scope of its judicial power” under the Constitution.[1] It did not prescribe which branch of government has the power to define it, but implies that Congress, which handles impeachment cases, has the power to do so.”

          Read:

          ….which is beyond its judicial power

          Sa Filipino, ibig sabihin, di kasama sa kapangyarihan ng Hudikatura ang pagsasabi kung ano ang maaaring sakop ng betrayal of public trust o pagtataksil sa pagtitiwala ng publiko.

          “…..but implies that Congress, which handles impeachment cases, has the power to do so.”

          Ibig sabihin ay… ngunit ipinahihiwatig na ang Kongreso, na syang humahawak ng kaso ng Impeachment, ay syang may kapangyarihan na gawin ito (ang pagpapasya kung ano ang maaaring sakop ng pagtataksil sa pagtitiwala ng publiko)

          Ergo?

        10. Aba lumihis na naman ng usapan. Ano ngayon kung hindi ito betrayal of public trust? Nagkasala pa rin sya ng double compensation.

        11. Hanggang ganyan ka lang. Malinaw naman na mali ang alam mo tungkol sa kaso ni Flores at kung bakit talaga siya nasibak, humanap ka pa ng makakalihis sa usapan.

        12. http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1997/may1997/am_97_1247_1997.html

          I’ll just leave this here.

          I find it funny how, when confronted with information contrary to what he peddles, fortheslowwitted panicked. He had to divert the discussion by insisting that the SC has no right to say which is “betrayal of public trust.” The SC tagging Flores’ offense as betrayal of public trust is what can be read in the Philstar link, but is nowhere in the actual court record as my link above shows.

  27. I just got goosebumps . Fishball direct messaged me. She is really Kris Aquino. She saw my picture and wants to sleep with me. Then she changed her mind when she found out I was not married.

    1. Haha. Ingat ka Gogs.
      Judging from his logic and writing style, I fear that the paid troll once known as Vincenzo Arellano has learned English and changed his handle into “fishball”. ^_^

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