Miriam Santiago, Senator-Judge

She was scolding the prosecution for dropping the five charges against the Chief Justice Renato C. Corona. Facing her was private prosecutor Vitaliano Aguirre, who stuffed her ears in order not to hear her diatribe. The she got angry and asked the chair of the impeachment court to cite Aguirre for contempt. Juan Ponce Enrile banged his gavel and cited the lawyer for contempt.

It was a case of freedom to insult vs freedom not to hear the insult. She insults people with impunity, but she can't take an insult, if Aguirre's behavior is considered an insult.

Freedom to Insult Vs. Freedom Not to Hear the Insult

Senator Miriam Santiago's behavior in the Impeachment Court is despicable. She insults everybody in the prosecution team. Yesterday, she did it again. Against private prosecutor Vitaliano Aguirre, who did not like her insult by stuffing his hears with his palms. He was cited for contempt as Miriam angrily suggested. She insults with impunity, but could not take insult and she goes "ballistics" against it.

Journal of February 27

70th BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

On the big TV screen against the wall in the sala, the birthday girl, Lourdes my niece, was smiling. The greeting was written in red script saying, Happy 70th Birthday, Mom. I am four years older than her, but she does not look her age. It must have been her happy disposition that drove away the wrinkles and whatever that makes the hair gray.

Agapito "Peter" Yumul, her husband, was there, but he could no longer recognize me--three or four years ago we were speaking Spanish. He had suffered a stroke or two and his brains and cognitive function definitely were affected. He could not walk without being assisted.

Peter is a Kapampangan was a small businessman, as were all the others from Pampang who came to Laoag in the 50s. They were itinerant vendors, peddling mosquito nets, and other household items. I remember Peter selling "chicherias" in his own rented place at the old public market. How he met Lourdes who lived with her family on the street next to us is an interesting story. I will have to talk to Lourdes.

Earlier before lunch yesterday, Lourdes came to the house inviting us--my sisters Linda and Cencia and I for a dinner at their two-story house.

Journal of February 26, 2012

Still in Laoag City. Sis Linda will be flying back to Hawaii on February 28. Jorge and Edith Peralta came to the house to get their paw-it from Elma, Linda's sister in law and half sister of Jorge. They heard the "pakaammo" from DZJC, and motored all the way from Bangui where they reside.

The impeachment complaint may be flawed, the prosecutors may be inept and inarticulate, but the trial has opened a can of worms, a lot of slimy worms that gnawed at the fabric of whatever honesty and integrity that Chief Justice Renato C. Corona possesses.

Journal of February 22, 2012

May be good weather today. Mama for Isabela on board GMW bus bound for Santiago City. Trip sked at 8:30 am.

Our laws are flawed in favor of criminals and robbers in sheep clothing. The impeachment trial maybe about the rule of law and rules of procedures, but it is also about what is right and what is wrong, about honesty and integrity as applied to government officials especially the country's number one interpreter and enforcer of the law.

Acquitting Chief Justice Renato Coronado Corona will only prolong the agony--government and the people--because the House majority will not stop until he is convicted and removed from office. They will always be a Plan B or Plan C.

Journal of February 17

Waiting for Gene Sumaoang who will be coming to the Laoag hideaway for a copy of TJ where his novel is being printed. He would also be bringing his Ilocano translation of his romance novel, Siksika Laeng. He will be coming from Paoay, where he is residing with with his son-architect and his family.

Thursday, February 16, 2012, to Laoag City with Mama Estel on board GMW bus Line, that we took at the junction of Cabatuan. The bus originated from Santiago, taking the Cauayan route. None of the kind that forced me to take the Santa Fe road the last time I was in Laoag and was going back to Isabela via Cagayan.

It was raining in Northern Cagayan, and I feared a landslide on the Ilocos Norte-Cagayan border. Arrived at GMW terminal in Laoag past 6:00 pm. Took a tricycle, where T rode on the seat back of the driver, because the ride for two could not accommodate our luggage, which aincluded my laptop. Paid the rricycle driver P34.

ANOTHER DAY FOR ABOITIZ AD

This Thursday, Feb 16, for another try at getting an advertisement from SN Aboitiz Power Magat

THE DEFENSE STRATEGY: MISTRIAL OF CHIEF JUSTICE RENATO C. CORONA

THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO MEDDLING IN THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS?

The prosecution has successfully presented evidence that showed that Chief Justice Renato C. Corona is hiding oodles of money that were not reflected in his Statement of Assets and Net Worth. Now the defense is resorting to dirty tactics in connivance with the powerful Iglesia ni Cristo that let loose a horde of their members to the premises of the Supreme Court and staged a rally in support of the beleaguered Corona, who shed crocodile tears, when he saw the crowd.

With all its legalities, the impeachment trial is about what is right and what is wrong. It is, for the most part, moral judgment. It is about honesty and integrity required of the position of the Chief Justice like Renato C. Corona.

Moral judgment is the domain of the Roman Catholic Church. The Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines has made comments that the proceedings should be stopped. Is the CBCP credible? Remember the bishops who received expensive cars from President Arroyo? Remember the bishop who successfully asked money from the former President for the purchase of an expensive car as his birthday gift? Lapses in moral judgment?

Yes, what is wrong with keeping a dollar account? But there are laws concerning dollar accounts. The CJ has five dollar accounts, which were not reflected in his SALN. Is he an exception? But the Chief Justice is not an ordinary person. He is the country's number one interpreter and enforcer of the law.

Even with the backing of the Iglesia ni Cristo or the RC, the CJ has crossed the line beyond redemption and should be punished.

NO-WAY SITUATION

Suddenly, the prosecutors in the impeachment case against Chief Justice Renato C. Corona has hit a gold mine: his hidden accounts at the BPI Bank. He has not only peso accounts but dollar accounts. Now, the CJ has a lot to explain to the Filipino people. And a lot to answer to medium persons. Where did he obtained those dollars? Did he convert his millions into green bucks? Did he profit from the Supreme Court decision to nullify its earlier decision awarding P2-billion to Philippine Air Lines employees in their dispute with Lucio Tan? Is he a thief in robe?

Another Bad Day for the Prosecution

Feb 2, 2012, the 9th day of the Impeachment Trial of CJ Renato Corona. Another bad day for the prosecution. Can they score a "hit" in the other articles of impeachment? They should now stop the proceedings and let the Senate do their job as legislators.
Started the day at 3:30am with a cup of hot water.
I have been rooting for the prosecution. As things go now, there is no chance for them to dislodge the CJ from his position. I go down in defeat with them. But I am telling myself I will not feel bad. Now I remember Alexander Pope: "Blessed are they who expect nothing, for they will not be disappointed." I should have pinned the quotation against the wall behind the TV when I started monitoring the proceedings on Day 1. Those guys in the prosecution team are a great disappointment. Will I be disappointed with Laoageno Rep. Rudy Farinas, who will be handling Article 6 of the impeachment complaint?

It's just in Article 2 that the prosecution is bungling it's job, I say. But judging from the performance of the team, it does not augur well for them in succeeding hearings.


MARGARITA DENISE DE LOS SANTOS JULIAN, daughter of Peter, Jr.