Renato Corona Will Not Appeal Guilty Verdict

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano lauded on Friday the decision of former Chief Justice Renato Corona not to appeal the decision of the Senate impeachment court finding him guilty of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution for his failure to disclose his entire assets in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) as required under the Constitution.

"I think it's admirable that they chose to favor the country this time and did not appeal the case anymore," Cayetano, one of the 20 senator-judges who rendered guilty verdict, said.

Cayetano said bringing the Senate verdict to the Supreme Court might result to a constitutional crisis since the Senate has the sole power to try and decide all impeachment cases.

"The mere fact that if the Supreme Court would instruct the impeachment court to answer could have started a constitutional crisis. I admire the defense team and the former chief justice for preventing that," Cayetano said.

Cayetano explained that the impeachment court "should not be answerable to any other tribunal in the country."

"So what they did was very admirable that although they felt they have the right to appeal and for us, they have none, the Supreme Court will eventually have to act on it one way or the other," he said.

Though he rendered guilty verdict, Cayetano commended Corona for signing a waiver authorizing the Senate and other concerned government institutions, particularly the Office of the Ombudsman, to examine his peso and dollar bank deposits.

"What he did is commendable," Cayetano said in his explanation of votes, adding "if you will look at his waiver, very encompassing. All accounts, including Central Bank."

Cayetano has even encouraged all the government officials to sign similar waiver to promote accountability and transparency based on the government's slogan 'Tuwid Na Daan' (right path).

Although the Senate has terminated its function as impeachment court, Cayetano clarified that Corona's waiver will remain valid "unless revoked."