Penchant for misusing the trappings of power

Rina Jimenez-David could not have drawn a darker characterization of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona’s persona than in her March 16 column when she asked: What horrendous deeds would force a nun like Sister Flory Basa to come out in the open to assail Corona and his wife Cristina?

The “oppression” heaped on the Basas by the Coronas has already been well written by others, but I think David drew a more complete picture of “Corona’s character” when she cited Corona’s “penchant” to take advantage of the trappings of power, like getting special treatment to acquire his doctorate in civil law from the University of Santo Tomas.

I think a more recent incident which should give us pause that there’s really something fatally flawed with Corona was the reported use by his witness Demetrio Vicente of a Supreme Court van as a service vehicle.

To me this is the height of arrogance on Corona’s part. He is already accused of so many improprieties and is in fact in the middle of his trial in the Senate, yet here he comes again being caught with another shenanigan.

Who told Corona that he can use the resources of the Supreme Court to save his own skin, or taxpayers’ money to have his witness chauffeured to and from the Senate? Is there a need for anyone to remind Corona of the legality, morality or propriety of any given action?

Is there a need to tell Corona that the law on the filing of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth mandates that he report the acquisition costs of his properties, along with their assessed and fair market value?

As chief justice, Corona stands at the vanguard of ensuring the truthfulness of the SALNs of all court officials and employees, yet his own SALNs were riddled with undervalued assets, if not undeclared ones, which would have escaped public attention had they not been brought out into the open by the House of Representatives.

—JACKY GARCIA,

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