Ramon Tulfo deserves kudos for setting the record straight on the reported denial by retired Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas, head of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s defense team, of his claim that a Malacañang emissary was pressuring him (Cuevas) to withdraw as Corona’s lead counsel in exchange for dropping the case against sacked NBI director Magtanggol Gatdula. “It was a bad reflection on his client, impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona,” Tulfo said, adding that “Cuevas’ denial made him look either like a petty liar or a garrulous old man who has memory lapses.”
If Cuevas can lie with a straight face notwithstanding a tape-recorded interview with an Inquirer reporter, think of what he can do to twist and mangle the truth so that his client can be acquitted and retain his seat as chief justice. Tulfo also reported that the Bellagio condo where Corona has a P14.5-million penthouse is now a tourist attraction. Yes, The Bellagio Tower is now a fitting symbol of official perfidy.
—ANNA MARIE BELMONTE,
annamariebelmonte@yahoo.com