March 22 Senate Impeachment Court Record

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012
Republic of the Philippines
Senate
Pasay City
Record of the Senate

Sitting As An Impeachment Court
Thursday, March 22, 2012
AT 2:13 P.M., THE PRESIDING OFFICER, SENATE PRESIDENT JUAN PONCE ENRILE, CALLED THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE RENATO C. CORONA TO ORDER. The Presiding Officer. The continuation of the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona is hereby called to order. We shall be led in prayer by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson. Senator Lacson. Thank you, Mr. President. First of all, let us pray for our Senator-Judge Pia Cayetano who is celebrating her birthday today. [Applause] As we suspend the trial today to go on Lenten break, let us pause to atone for our sins and pray for miracle that can cleanse our souls. God, Almighty, I know that today I will be praying for the impossible. But I will give it a try just the same, bearing in mind that You do not expect the impossible from us but want us to expect the impossible from You. Grant us, O Lord, even for a second, the supernatural power of being able to read the mind and feel the conscience of the Respondent standing trial before this Impeachment Court, we will be spared the agony of acquitting a guilty man or worse pronouncing the guilt of an innocent person. And, whatever is the outcome of this trial, we pray that the accuser and the accused, and all the participants in this painful exercise will learn to forgive and forget all the harsh and cruel words said and heard for the sake of our beloved country and Your children in this part of the world.
Basbasan po Ninyo ng mas mahabang buhay at malusog na pangangatawan ang aming Presiding Officer, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, at ang Chief Legal Defense Counsel, Justice Serafin Cuevas, upang matugunan nila ang marami pang tungkulin para sa aming inang bayan. All these we ask in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. ROLL CALL The Presiding Officer. The Secretary will please call the roll of Senators. The Clerk of Court, reading: Senator Edgardo J. Angara ............................................................... Present Senator Joker P. Arroyo ................................................................... Present Senator Alan Peter Compaero S. Cayetano ................................. Present* Senator Pia S. Cayetano ................................................................... Present Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago .................................................... Present Senator Franklin M. Drilon ................................................................ Present Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada ....................................................... Present Senator Francis G. Escudero ............................................................. Present Senator Teofisto L. Guingona III ....................................................... Absent Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II ........................................................ Present Senator Panfilo M. Lacson ................................................................ Present Senator Manuel Lito M. Lapid ....................................................... Present Senator Loren Legarda ...................................................................... Present* Senator Ferdinand Bongbong R. Marcos Jr. .................................. Present Senator Sergio R. Osmea III ........................................................... Present* Senator Francis N. Pangilinan ............................................................ Present Senator Aquilino L. Pimentel III ........................................................ Present Senator Ralph G. Recto .................................................................... Present Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. ..................................................... Present Senator Vicente C. Sotto III ............................................................. Present Senator Antonio Sonny F. Trillanes IV ........................................... Present Senator Manny Villar ......................................................................... Present The President ..................................................................................... Present The Presiding Officer. With 19 Senator-Judges present, the Presiding Officer declares the presence of a quorum. The Floor Leader is recognized. Senator Honasan. Mr. President, may I ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to make the proclamation. The Presiding Officer. The Sergeant-at-Arms is directed to make the proclamation.
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*Arrived after the roll call
The Sergeant-at-Arms. All persons are commanded to keep silent under pain of penalty while the Senate is sitting in trial on the Articles of Impeachment against Chief Justice Renato C. Corona. The Presiding Officer. The Floor Leader. Senator Honasan. Mr. President, I move that we dispense with the reading of the March 21, 2012 Journal of the Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court and consider the same as approved. The Presiding Officer. Is there any objection? [Silence] There being none, the March 21, 2012 Journal of the Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court is hereby approved. The Secretary will please call the case. The Clerk of Court. Case No. 002-2011, In the matter of the Impeachment Trial of Hon. Chief Justice Renato C. Corona. Senator Honasan. Mr. President. The Presiding Officer. Appearances, the Floor Leader. Senator Honasan. Mr. President, may we ask the parties and/or their respective Counsels to enter their appearances. Representative Farias. Good afternoon, Mr. President. Same appearance for the Prosecution. We are ready, Mr. President. The Presiding Officer. It is noted. The Defense. Mr. Cuevas. For the Defense, Your Honor, the same appearance. We are ready. The Presiding Officer. It is noted. The Floor Leader. Senator Honasan. Mr. President, we are ready for the continuation of the presentation of evidence by the Defense. The Presiding Officer. Proceed. The Defense is still presenting its evidence. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Proceed. Mr. Cuevas. We are calling to the stand one Ms. Mosuela, our next witness, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Please call her to the Chamber, take the witness stand and swear her to testify. Representative Farias. Mr. President, while waiting for their witness, may I make a very short manifestation, Mr. President. The Presiding Officer. Go ahead, Mr. Prosecutor. Representative Farias. In behalf of the House of Representatives, may I greet Sen. Pia Cayetano a happy birthday and wishing her all the best, Mr. President.
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The Presiding Officer. Dios ti agngina. Representative Farias. Dios ti agngina met, Apo President.
The Clerk of Court. Madam Witness, please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in this impeachment proceeding? Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor. The Clerk of Court. So help you God. Mr. Cuevas. Your Honor please, may we request for permission for Atty. Jose Roy to conduct the direct examination on the Witness, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. It is granted. Proceed. Mr. Roy. Good afternoon, Your Honor. May I please the Court? Madam Witness, would you be so kind as to state for the record your name, your employment and other personal circumstances? Ms. Mosuela. Good afternoon, Your Honors. I am Miriam S. Mosuela, I am 57 years old, married and a resident of Baguio City, and I work with John Hay Management Corporation. Mr. Roy. Mr. President, Your Honors, the testimony of the Witness is offered for the purpose of establishing the salaries, allowances and benefits received by Mrs. Corona during the years 2007 to 2010 with the John Hay Management Corporation. Representative Aggabao. Your Honor please. The Presiding Officer. Yes, Prosecution. Representative Aggabao. Thank you, Your Honor. May we interpose an objection on the purpose, the reason being that if the only purpose, Your Honor, is to establish how much Mrs. Corona earned from John Hay, we submit that it is totally immaterial, irrelevant and impertinent. And very briefly, Your Honor, we laid out a charge against Chief Justice Corona for omitting assets in his SALN and we do not see how much Mrs. Corona earned could shed light on that. In other words, there is disconnect and we believe that this is immaterial and irrelevant. Mr. Roy. Your Honor, if Counsel is willing to allow us, we would like to present the compensation received by Mrs. Corona because they are required to disclose this in the SALN which is filed jointly by the spouses. The Presiding Officer. All right. Objection overruled. Proceed. Mr. Roy. Thank you, Your Honor. Ms. Mosuela, what exactly is your function with the John Hay Management Corporation? Ms. Mosuela. Your Honor, I am the current Finance Manager of John Hay Management Corporation. Representative Aggabao. Your Honor, please.
The Presiding Officer. Yes. Representative Aggabao. To abbreviate the proceedings, Your Honor. There was marked yesterday morning one piece of evidence as exhibit for the Defense. To abbreviate the proceedings, we would not mind going to admissions of fact if the Defense is minded to do so, to abbreviate the proceedings. The Presiding Officer. What is the pleasure of the Defense? Are you willing to stipulate? Mr. Roy. Your Honor, if they are withdrawing their objection to the testimony and they are admitting the figures on the table, it will be faster. Representative Aggabao. All right, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Are you willing to accept? Representative Aggabao. We are willing. We are willing, Your Honor. Mr. Roy. Then we take it, Your Honor, that these figures are admitted and that the certification of Ms. Mosuela attests to the truth of these facts as appearing on the summary prepared by Camp John Hay. The Presiding Officer. You examine the document and if you.... Mr. Roy. They have a copy, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. You are referring to Exhibit 219? Mr. Roy. That is right, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. Yes, Your Honor. We accept.... First, we admit the authenticity of Exhibit 219. Of course, the content therein, Your Honor, is subject to the best evidence rule. Mr. Roy. Your Honor, may I clarify. Do you also accept that Ms. Mosuela, the finance officer, is authorized to attest to the authenticity of these numbers as appearing in the records of the corporation? Representative Aggabao. Yes, we admit that, Your Honor. Mr. Roy. Well, if they admit, Your Honor, then I suppose there is no need.... The Presiding Officer. You accept.... Representative Aggabao. The correctness of the figure, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Just a minute. Prosecution, do you accept the authenticity of that document, that exhibit? Representative Aggabao. We do, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. You accept the contents? Representative Aggabao. Subject to the best evidence rule, yes, we accept, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Subject to?
Representative Aggabao. The best evidence rule, Your Honor, because the subject of inquiries, the content of this writing, yes, Your Honor, we accept it. Mr. Roy. Your Honor, this is an entry in the course of business. The Presiding Officer. The Witness was under oath and I do not think she will perjure herself. Mr. Roy. Your Honor, but the best evidence amounts to an objection, Your Honor, to the content. Representative Aggabao. All right. To meet the objection of the Defense, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Either you agree or not agree. Representative Aggabao. We agree, your Honor. We agree. The Presiding Officer. All right. Representative Aggabao. We agree, Your Honor, that the figures are correct. The Presiding Officer. Then make the proper manifestations, for the record. Representative Aggabao. Your Honor, insofar as the figures appearing on Exhibit 219 are concerned, the Prosecution accepts them, we admit them. Insofar as the authority of Miriam Mosuela, the Witness, to authenticate Exhibit 219 is concerned, the Prosecution accepts them, we admit them. Mr. Roy. Very well, Your Honor. Then we would like to read into the record that on the year 2007, the total salary, allowances and benefits, Your Honor, Representative Aggabao. Then, Your Honor, that would not be necessary because we already admitted the evidence. The best evidence would be these figures appearing on this document, Your Honor. Mr. Roy. Exactly, Your Honor, we would like to put it on record Representative Aggabao. The danger, Your Honor,... The Presiding Officer. Gentlemen, you are too technical. It is true, to us, that is the best evidence that we will appreciate. We just want it to be established in the record. That document is not recorded. The exhibit number is recorded. So read it into the record. So ordered. Mr. Roy. Thank you, Your Honor. We wish to manifest that the document as appearingand can be confirmed by the Prosecution will show that in the year 2007, the total salaries, allowances and benefits received by Ma. Cristina Corona amounted to One million three hundred fifteen thousand, seven hundred forty-six pesos and thirty centavos (P1,315,746.30); In the year 2008, the total salaries, allowances and benefits received by Ma. Cristina C. Corona amounted to One million nine hundred fifty-nine thousand one hundred seventy-eight pesos and fifteen centavos (P1,959,178.15); And in the year 2009, the total salaries, allowances and benefits received by Ma. Cristina C. Corona amounted to One million nine hundred fifteen thousand, two pesos and seven-nine centavos (P1,915,002.79);
And in the year 2010, the total salaries, allowances and benefits received by Ma. Cristina C. Corona amounted to Nine hundred seventy-two thousand one hundred forty-eight pesos and thirty centavos (P972,148.30) showing a total for the period of 2007 to 2010, amounting to P6,162,075.54. This is what is contained, Your Honors, in Exhibit 219 which the Defense adopts. The Presiding Officer. All right. Are you through with the Witness? No cross? Are you through with the Witness, Counsel for the Defense? Mr. Roy. Your Honor, just to establish that this was actually received by Mrs. Corona, that is all. The Presiding Officer. Precisely, are you through with the Witness? Mr. Roy. I would just propound a question for one point, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. All right. Mr. Roy. Madam Witness, your certification on this document, can you explain to us what this document represents, whose compensation is reflected here? Ms. Mosuela. It is the summary, Your Honor, of all the salaries, allowances and benefits received by Ma. Cristina C. Corona for the period 2007 to 2010. Mr. Roy. Can you please tell us what is the connection of Ma. Cristina Corona with the John Hay Management Corporation during this period? Ms. Mosuela. During this period, Your Honor, she was the President, the Corporate Operating Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, she was the Chief Executive Officer and also the Acting Chairman of the Board. Mr. Roy. How long were you employed with the Corporation? Ms. Mosuela. I have been with John Hay Management Corporation since December of 2008, Your Honor. Mr. Roy. Do you have personal knowledge of the connection or employment of Mrs. Corona with the corporation? Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor, she was all of the above, Your Honor. Mr. Roy. Did you serve under her? Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor. When I first came in in 2008, I was the budget officer. Mr. Roy. Can you attest to this Court that you are aware that she personally received this compensation reflected in the exhibit? Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor. Mr. Roy. No further questions, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. All right, cross? Representative Aggabao. Very, very briefly, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Proceed.
Representative Aggabao. Madam Witness, do you have a copy of Exhibit 219 with you? Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. May I ask you to please take a look at these items, Salaries and Allowances, and I ask you to take a look at Tab D for the year 2007. There is indicated in Exhibit 219 Salaries and Allowances of P556,605.83, do you have it with you? Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. My question is, how much of this amount constitutes salaries, and how much of this amount constitutes allowances, if you know? Ms. Mosuela. It is actually all salaries, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. These are all salaries. Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. And so, therefore, this is the entire amount that was subject to withholding tax. Is that correct? Ms. Mosuela. Right, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. And that would be true also for the years 2008, 2009, and 2010? Ms. Mosuela. That is correct, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. You mentioned that Mrs. Corona was what, the President of John Hay in 2007, and she was also the Chief Executive Officer, the CEO in 2007? Ms. Mosuela. That is correct, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. And she was also the Chief Operating Officer, the COO? Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. Would you be able to know when Mrs. Corona joined John Hay? Ms. Mosuela. Since I was employed only in 2008, Your Honor, I am not very familiar but I have seen records that she was a Board of Director in 2001. Representative Aggabao. 2001. Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. And you would not know, for example, that in 2007, she was first elected as President of John Hay. You would not know that, would you? Ms. Mosuela. She was, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. She was? Ms. Mosuela. Yes. Representative Aggabao. So in 2007, she was elected as President of John Hay. Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor.
Representative Aggabao. And would you know when she stepped down as an employee or as an officer of John Hay? Ms. Mosuela. It was in June 2010, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. The total as appearing here in Exhibit 219, the total of all salaries, allowances such as RATA, rice subsidy, uniform, et cetera, amounted to P6,162,075.54. Do you confirm that this is exactly the same amount that she received over the years covered in Exhibit 219? Ms. Mosuela. For the given period, Your Honor, yes. Mr. Roy. Your Honor, I was under the impression that this had been admitted. Representative Aggabao. One final question, Your Honor. I asked earlier that the salaries and allowances were made subject to withholding tax. What about the allowances here stated as RATA? Were they subject to withholding tax? Ms. Mosuela. No, Your Honor. May I check myself, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. Go ahead, please. Ms. Mosuela. These are the amounts she was entitled to, Your Honor, but the salaries will have to be subject to the withholding tax. Representative Aggabao. But the allowances, would they be subject to withholding taxes? Ms. Mosuela. As provided, Your Honor, some are subject and some are not. Just like the fringe benefit which is subject to 32% final tax. Representative Aggabao. I see. But with respect to rice subsidy, with respect to uniform, with respect to medical benefits, with respect to cash gifts, these were not subject to withholding taxes, right? Ms. Mosuela. Some will be subject, Your Honor, and some will not be. Representative Aggabao. Last two questions, Your Honor. Included in Exhibit 219 are the amounts received by Mrs. Corona as per diem being member of the Board of Directors. In fact, the entire amount received over the period of four years is P1,128,139.00. Was this subject to withholding tax? Ms. Mosuela. Yes, Your Honor, 10%. Representative Aggabao. Ten percent. Would you be aware if Mrs. Corona filed a separate income tax return to cover this? Ms. Mosuela. I would not be privy to that information, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. I guess that will be.... Mr. Roy. Are there more last questions, Your Honor? The Presiding Officer. Are you through with your cross-examination? Representative Aggabao. One final last question, Your Honor. Mr. Roy. Thank you, Counsel.
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Representative Aggabao. I made reference to the amount of P6,162,075.54 representing the total. This is the gross amount, correct? Ms. Mosuela. You are correct, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. So you did not consider here the deductions such as withholding taxes or any other deductions for that matter? Ms. Mosuela. It is not yet considered here, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. Okay. So this is not the net amount that Mrs. Corona received? Ms. Mosuela. No, Your Honor. Representative Aggabao. All right. Thank you very much, Your Honor. No further cross, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. All right. Mr. Roy. No redirect, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Redirect? Mr. Roy. No redirect, Your Honor. May we.... The Presiding Officer. The Witness is discharged. Mr. Roy. Thank you very much. The Presiding Officer. Next witness, but one-minute suspension. The trial was suspended at 2:35 p.m. At 2:38 p.m., the trial was resumed. The Presiding Officer. The trial is resumed. Defense, present your next witness. Mr. Cuevas. Your Honor please, we are now ready with our next witness, former Mayor Lito Atienza, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. The former good mayor of Manila is placed on the witness stand. The Clerk of Court. Mayor, please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth in this impeachment proceeding? Mr. Atienza. Opo. The Clerk of Court. So help you God. The Presiding Officer. Proceed. Mr. Cuevas. If Your Honor please, may we request permission for Dean De los Angeles, member of the Defense panel, to be allowed to conduct the direct examination, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Granted.
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Representative Tupas. Your Honor, on the part of the Prosecution, may we request that Atty. Renato Samonte Jr. be recognized to receive the direct testimony and to conduct the cross, if necessary. The Presiding Officer. Granted. Representative Tupas. Thank you. Mr. De los Angeles. With the permission of the Honorable Court, the testimony of former Mayor Jose L. Atienza is offered to prove that early 2001, Basa-Guidote Enterprises owned, at least, one parcel of land in the corner of Legarda and Bustillos Streets, Sampaloc, Manila; that Cristina Roco Corona was authorized by the Board of Basa-Guidote Enterprises to sell such property; that the City of Manila passed an ordinance to expropriate such property, and pursuant to law, it first offered to buy, and Cristina Corona for and on behalf of BasaGuidote Enterprises agreed to sell such property, which would be used by the City of Manila as a relocation site of its then Sampaloc Market; that Cristina Corona received for and on behalf of Basa-Guidote Enterprises P34,703,800.00 from the City of Manila for such property. I manifest, Your Honors, that a subsequent witness will then testify that from the P34,703,800.00, Respondent Chief Justice borrowed P11 million as stated in his SALN, and which amount he used to purchase the La Vista property. The Presiding Officer. Proceed. Mr. De los Angeles. Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte, Jr. Subject to our cross, Your Honor. Mr. De los Angeles. Kayo ba ang dating alkalde ng Maynila? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. De los Angeles. Kailan ba kayo naging alkalde ng Maynila? Mr. Atienza. Simula po noong 1998 hanggang 2007. Mr. De los Angeles. Noong kayo ang alkalde ng Maynila, nalaman ba ninyo ang naging problema ng palengke ng Sampaloc dahil sa MRT project? Mr. Atienza. Ako ay bagong mayor pa lang noon, bagong halal, nang kami ay pinasabihan ng LRTA na kakailanganin yung bahagi ng aming pag-aari ng lungsod na kung tawagin ay old and new Sampaloc Market, sapagkat magtatayo sila roon ng Legarda Station, kayat mapipilitan silang i-expropriat-tin (expropriate) yung property. Iyon po ang simula ng aking pagkaalam doon sa nabubuong problema na kinakailangan naming harapin, sapagkat iyon po ay palengke. Iyon ang ginagamit ng buong Sampaloc para sa kanilang pangangailangan. Mr. De los Angeles. Saan ho ba lugar iyang Sampaloc na palengke? Mr. Atienza. Doon po sa harapan lamang ng property ng mga Basa. Medyo napapaloob lang ng konti. Kasi, yung Basa property nasa kantong-kanto po ng Legarda and Bustillos. But the old Sampaloc market was a bit set back, siguro mga 50 meters from the Legarda Street. Mr. De los Angeles. Pumayag po ba kayo sa LRTA na ipagbili ang palengke ng Sampaloc?
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Mr. Atienza. Alam ninyo, alam kong makakabuti sa lungsod yong transportasyong iyon, ano po. Iyon po yung LRT-2 na dudugtong doon sa LRT-1 na dumadaan sa Taft Avenue. So, alam ko po ang magiging benipisyo ng lungsod sa pagtatayo ng linyang iyon at iyong pagkakatatag ng sinasabi nilang Legarda Station, sapagkat magkakaroon po ng sakayan at babaan ang mga taga-Sampaloc na napakalaking bahagi po ng Maynila. Kaya minabuti ko talagang tulungan ang LRTA makahanap ng solusyon. They needed the land, humanap po ako ng paraan para iyon ay aming mapagkasunduan, at matulungan namin sila. Mr. De los Angeles. Sino po ba ang may-ari ng lupa ng palengke ng Sampaloc? Mr. Atienza. City government po. Iyon po ay property ng city government, and we were really in control of the property. Mr. De los Angeles. Noong sinabi ho ng LRTA na gusto rin niyang bilhin itong lupa kung nasaan ang Sampaloc na palengke, magkano ho naman ninyo sinabing gusto ninyong ipagbili itong lupa na ito? Mr. Atienza. Alam ninyo, pinag-isipan naming mabuti iyon sapagkat napakalaking problema, eh, ang aming susuungin. Aalisin namin iyong palengkeng luma, eh, samantalang may mga stallholders po na umaasa roon, at mayroong mga mamamayang bumibili ng kanilang mga bilihin doon. You cannot just erase a public market out of existence. So, the challenge called for an immediate replacement. Hindi dapat maputol po iyong serbisyo publiko as public markets are public service. One of the essential services of the city government is to render and operate public markets. So we had to look for a solution right away. Humanap kami ng maaaring paglipatan noong mga manininda who were already agitated noong kumalat po ang balita na magtatayo ng Legarda Station doon. Mayroon ding mga kumontra lalo na ho iyong mga stallholders, na nagsabi: Papaano kami? Saan kami kikita? Ano, mawawalan na lang kami ng stall nang ganito? I had to assure them that No, we will not allow the demolition of this public market until we are able to find a relocation site for you and for the public. Kaya humanap po kami ng lupa agad within the vicinity, sinundan po namin ang prinsipyong minimum dislocation. Mr. De los Angeles. Nakakita po ba kayo ng kapalit? Mr. Atienza. Mayroon pong mga ilang potential. In fact, several parcels of land were pointed out to me by our city engineer and our city architect, my secretary to the Mayor. And ang aking nakita talaga, very ideal iyung nasa kanto ng Bustillos at Legarda sapagkat iyon po ang napakalapit doon sa palengkeng gigibain. Mr. De los Angeles. Noong panahon iyon, kilala po ba ninyo kung sino ang may-ari? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. I had to direct my city administrator, Col. Antonio Fernando, to immediately seek out the owners of this property because iyon ho sa tingin ko ang pinaka-ideal, eh. Iyong iba nasa interior, eh. Mahirap naman magtayo ng palengke sa looban. Sabi ko, hanapin ninyo ang may-ari niyan and immediately get in touch with them. Mr. De los Angeles. Sa pagkaalam ho ninyo, nalaman ba kung sino ang may-ari nung lupa na gusto ninyong makuha?
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Mr. Atienza. After a short period of research ay nakita po nila, owned by the Basa-Guidote Enterprise or Mercantile. Mayroon pong dalawang kumpanya doon, eh. Mr. De los Angeles. Noong natuntun ninyo ang may-ari, ano ang ginawa ninyo? Mr. Atienza. Immediately, pinasulatan ko po doon sa aking city administrator na sabihan sila para huwag silang mabigla that we have a need for their property at kung maaaring makipagkita sila agad upang maumpisahan ang pag-uusap at maipaliwanag sa kanila ang gamit na aming kinakailangan. Mr. De los Angeles. Paano po ba ninyo pinaalam sa Basa-Guidote? Mr. Atienza. Sa pamamagitan po ng isang liham, alam ko po iyon dahil ipinakita sa akin ng city administrator ko po, na pinayagan ko. Mr. De los Angeles. Pinapakita ko po sa inyo ang isang liham na may petsang Mayo 13, 1999. Mr. Atienza. Tama po, naaalala ko po iyon. Mr. De los Angeles. Maaari bang ipakita? Ano ang kaugnayan nitong sulat na ito sa inyong sinabi? Mr. Atienza. Sinasaad po roon ang aming intensyon at pangangailangan ng serbisyo publiko na iyong kanilang lupa na covered by Certificate of Title No. 76220 ay kinakailangan po ng lungsod. Kayat, gaya po ng sinabi namin, the earlier we talk about it, discuss the matter, ay makakabuti po para sa lahat. Mr. De los Angeles. Iyan ba ang sulat na inyong sinasabi? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, please, I observed that it is just a photocopy. May we know from the Defense if they have a certified copy or an original copy of the said document or instrument? Mr. De los Angeles. We have requested the present, just for proper guidance. We are trying to get the original and in the meantime we ask for conditional marking. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, you do not have yet the original? Mr. De los Angeles. As of now, not yet. Mr. Samonte Jr. I just want to be clear on that. Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that this letter dated May 13, 1999 be marked as Exhibit 226. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Sinasaad sa sulat before that, meron hong nakapirma diyan sa sulat na iyan sa itaas ng city administrator. Kaninong pirma ho iyan? Mr. Atienza. Ito po iyong city administrator nang panahong iyon, Antonio Fernando. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Isinasaad sa sulat ng city administrator na mayroong cadastral map na kalakip iyang sulat na iyan. Natatandaan ba ninyo iyang mapa na iyan?
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Mr. Atienza. Opo, ito po iyong location nuong lote na aming tinitingnan at hinihingi. Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that that cadastral map attached to the letter dated May 13, 1999 be marked as Exhibit 226-A. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Ano ba ang inyong profession? Mr. Atienza. Ako po ay kumuha ng arkitektura sa UST pero hindi po ako nagpapraktis at hindi po ako nakakuha ng board. Mr. De los Angeles. Bilang isang estudyante na kumuha ng arkitektura, nakakaintindi po ba kayo ng cadastral map and sketch? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Ako po ay naging National Housing Authority general manager din eh noong 1986 after the EDSA Revolution under President Corys administration. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Ipapakita ko sa inyo itong mapa. Saan dito yung lupain ng Basa-Guidote na gusto ho ninyong makuha para relocation site ng Sampaloc, Manila? Mr. Atienza. Nasa kanto po, panulukan ng Legarda at Bustillos. Ito po ay dalawang main avenue sa street ng Sampaloc. Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor please, again, it appears to be a mere photocopy. So, same manifestation. Mr. De los Angeles. May we request that that portion of the map be marked as Exhibit 226-B. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. What is the exact name now of Legarda and Bustillos if there was any change? Mr. De los Angeles. Ano raw ho ang pangalan ng kalye ng Legarda at Bustillos kung napalitan na? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. Legarda pa rin po. The Presiding Officer. Ah, Legarda pa rin. Mr. Atienza. Opo. The Presiding Officer. At Bustillos pa rin. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Bustillos pa rin po. The Presiding Officer. Sige, salamat. Mr. Atienza. Hindi po kami nagpapalit ng pangalan noong mga panahong iyon. Mr. De los Angeles. Pakitingnan nga ho uli ninyo itong mapa o sketch at ituro ninyo kung saan iyong lupa ng old and new Sampaloc market. Mr. Atienza. Gaya ng sinabi ko po eh iyong old and new Sampaloc market na due for demolition ay nasa harapan lamang, in this portion. Ito po iyong Basa-Guidote property across, medyo inward, may setback ng konti from Legarda, about 50 meters away from Legarda.
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Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that the area that was pointed out by the Witness be marked as Exhibit 226-C. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Nasabi ninyo kanina na inutusan ninyo ang city administrator na sumulat sa Basa-Guidote noong Mayo 13, 1999. Sinagot ho ba iyong sinabing sulat? Mr. Atienza. Wala po eh. Matagal na panahong hindi tumutugon kaya ni-na-nag ko nga po iyong city administrator ko at napapagalitan ko, sabi ko, Bakit walang reply, walang reaksiyon? Are they interested or not? Warningan mo. Siyempre, ako po, bilang mayor, I was agitated. I was being pressured by the LRT people that they were going to take over the public market. There was agitation among the stallholders. There were, of course, the barangays in the area demanding for a solution to the impasse. Eh pinagagalitan ko ang city administrator ko. You get action done. Hindi puwedeng sumulat ka lamang. Mr. De los Angeles. So, ano po ang ginawa ninyo? Mr. Atienza. Noong hindi po sumasagot, ang naaalala ko, I went to the City Council and talked to Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna and asked them to prepare an expropriation measure. That seems to be the only way we can take hold of the property. Kung ini-expropriate tayo sa kanan, iexpropriate din natin sa kaliwa. Mr. De los Angeles. Ano ang nangyari sa pinasulong ninyong.... Mr. Atienza. Umaksyon po naman kaagad si Vice Mayor Lacuna. Immediately, an expropriation measure was discussed and passed at hinawakan ko na po iyon. And I told my staff, Kung hindi lalapit iyang mga yan, kasuhan na lamang natin. Mr. De los Angeles. Ipinapakita ko po sa inyo ang Ordinansa Bilang 7975 na may petsang Enero 24, 2000 na hinihingi ko pong mamarkahan na Exhibit 227. Mr. Atienza. Iyan po ang Ordinansa Bilang 7975. Mr. De los Angeles. Meron pong mga pirma diyan sa ordinansang iyan doon sa itaas na pangalang Danilo Lacuna. Kanino pong pirma iyon? Mr. Atienza. Ito po ay pirma niya sapagkat kilala ko po ang pirma ni Vice Mayor. Ito po namang sa kaliwa, kilala ko po ito, pirma ko po ito. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Doon po sa Attesting Witnesses. Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ay pirma naman ng aking sekretaryo, si Atty. Emmanuel Sison, at iyong sa kanan po naman ay secretary of the City Council, Atty. Rodolfo Lapid. Mr. De los Angeles. Bakit po ninyo alam na iyan ang kanilang pirma? Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ang aming madalas na pirmahan ng aming mga dokumento na nagmumula po sa City Council. Mr. De los Angeles. Napuna ko po na isinasaad sa Section 1 ng ordinansang iyan na ang lupa na i-expropriate ay sa pag-aari ng Guidote Mercantile Corporation. Ngunit ang sinabi ninyo kanina ay ang may-ari ng lupa na paglilipatan ng palengke ng Sampaloc ay Basa-Guidote Enterprises. Maaari ba ninyong ipaliwanag ito?
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Mr. Atienza. Kung mababasa po ninyo sa ordinansa, nababanggit po rito ang ilang parsela. In fact, there are about five (5) parcels of land mentioned in the ordinance and based on what the City Council may have researched, a number of these parcels of land, or maybe a majority of them, belong to the Guidote Mercantile Corporation. Kaya iyon ang ginamit po sa heading. Pero sa amin pong pagsasaliksik, eventually, iyong Lot No. 76220, a Basa property, belongs to the Basa-Guidote Enterprise. Iyon po ang kadahilanan kaya hindi po naging eksakto ang impormasyon sa ordinansa. Mr. De los Angeles. Nasabi po ninyo ang TCT No. 76220. Pinapakita ko po sa inyo ang certified true copy ng TCT No. 76220 na gusto naming markahan ng Exhibit 228. Mr. Atienza. Ito po ang nakita kong titulo. Ito po ang nakatala, Basa-Guidote Enterprise, Incorporated. Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that this TCT No. 76220 consisting of four (4) pages be marked as Exhibit 228. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. May I also request, Your Honor, that the registered owner of this TCT No. 76220, namely, Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. be bracketed and submarked as Exhibit 228-A. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Kung mapupuna ninyo, meron pong dalawang lote na nakasaad diyan sa TCT No. 76220. Ano ho ba diyan sa dalawang lote ang gustong makuha ng Lungsod ng Maynila upang maging relocation site ng palengke ng Sampaloc? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Dalawang bahagi po itong titulong ito. Iyong isang 200 square meters at saka iyong 1,027 square meters. Iyon pong mas malaking bahagi ang aming talagang interesado kami. Mr. De los Angeles. Nag-appropriate po ba ang City Council ng halaga upang maexpropriate iyong lupa na ginugusto ninyo? Mr. Atienza. Mayroon po. Immediately they appropriated P30 million available or authorized for this particular ordinance and purchase of the parcel of land. Mr. De los Angeles. Is that appropriation found in the ordinance that you earlier mentioned? Mr. Atienza. Nandito po. Nandito po sa heading: Appropriating P30 million or so much thereof. Iyon po naman ang colatilla sa expropriationor so much thereof. In other words, it can be a bit higher; it can be a bit lower, depende po sa magiging final pricing. Mr. De los Angeles. Pagkatapos na ipasa iyang ordinansa na iyan, ano ang nangyari?
Mr. Atienza. Dumaan po ang panahon na wala rin pong aksiyon iyong kabilang bahagi. And I remember, agitated na po kami dahil parang ayaw yata maniwala sa ating desisyon. Akin pong binigyan ng direktiba iyong secretary to the Mayor and our legal officer to draft a letter clearly stating our determined effort to get that parcel of land. Because we are already running out of time, we cannot allow the old market to be demolished without a relocation lot assured or at least the emergency stalls to be constructed in. Kaya inatasan ko po iyong sekretaryo ko to draft a letter practically stating that and quoting a price as a first step towards our communication lines.
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Mr. De los Angeles. Did your secretary actually draft the letter? Mr. Atienza. Opo, immediately. Mr. De los Angeles. Pinapakita po sa inyo ang isang sulat na may petsang Nobyembre 28, 2000, na hinihingi ko pong mamarkahan na Exhibit 229. Mr. Atienza. Ito po iyong sulat. Gusto ko lang idiin na in the second to the last paragraph, I personally asked the secretary to include this: If we still do not hear from you within five (5) days from receipt of this demand, we shall be constrained to file the necessary complaint of expropriation against you and take possession of your property upon deposit of 20% of the assessed value thereof. Mr. De los Angeles. Kanino ho ba naka-address....
The Presiding Officer. Are you marking the document? Mr. De los Angeles. Yes, Your Honor. We are requesting that it be marked as Exhibit 229. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. Atienza. Naka-address po ito sa Basa-Guidote Enterprises, iyon pong nagmamay-ari according to the title, and Attention: Mrs. Cristina Corona. Mr. De los Angeles. All right. There appears a signature at the bottom of that letter above the name Emmanuel Sison. Whose signature is that? Mr. Atienza. Ito po ay doon sa aking sekretaryo for a long period of time. Sekretaryo ko po ito from my vice mayorship. Mr. De los Angeles. Ano ho ang alok ninyo sa Basa-Guidote para sa lupa nila?
Mr. Atienza. We offered them, of course, the lowest possible that we couldP25,000 per square meterknowing very well that we had to have a starting point. Mr. De los Angeles. Ano ho ba naman ang presyo na ipinagbibili ninyo doon sa old and new Sampaloc market na gustong kunin ng LRTA? Mr. Atienza. At that point nabenta na namin iyong kabila. Mr. De los Angeles. Magkano ho ninyo binenta iyon?
Mr. Atienza. Nabenta po namin ng P155 million. Mr. De los Angeles. At, more or less, magkano ang per square meter na lumalabas? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko na po maaalala iyon dahil binili po nila iyon lock, stock and barrel kasama po iyong lumang palengke na may bubong at mayroong mga stall sa loob. At alam ko naman na hindi nila gagamitin iyon dahil gigibain nga nila iyon. Pero pineresyuhan ko ng presyong hindi ibinebenta para ma-delay ng kaunti. Umoo at nagbayad agad. So, that placed me in another predicament. I have to now get hold of the property that we are eyeing. Mr. De los Angeles. Alam po ba ninyo, humigit-kumulang, kung ano lumalabas ang presyo per square meter nuong old and new market?
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Mr. Atienza. Ang prevailing prices po roon sapagkat namimili ang LRT, alam ko, we knew what the LRT people were doing in the area and they were buying properties to accommodate their requirements. The prevailing price then was between P45,000 to P50,000. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Gaano po ba kalayo itong dalawang lupa na itoitong old and new Sampaloc Market at saka itong lupa ng Basa-Guidote Enterprises? Mr. Atienza. Across the street lamang po iyan. Iyong palengkeng luma ay nasa harapan nitong Basa property. Kaya lamang ay nasa loob ng kaunti iyong old market, may setback po. Iyon ang kinaroroonan ng Legarda Station ngayon, Central Station. Mr. De los Angeles. Nasabi po ninyo na iyong Legarda Market o Sampaloc Market ay mayroong bubungan. Ano po ba naman ang nakatayo doon sa Basa-Guidote na lupain? Mr. Atienza. Mayroon pong lumang gusali na nakatayo na mayroong mga ilang tenants sa second floor at mayroon pong commercial activities sa ibaba. Kaya, it was a combination of a residential and commercial use. Mr. De los Angeles. Mukhang napakababa naman po ang turing ninyo sa lupa ng BasaGuidote, bakit ganoon? Mr. Atienza. Mr. President, talaga pong medyo kilala kami noong panahon namin. Kami po ay nagbebenta ng lupa ng gobyerno, aba eh, sky-high. Kapag kami naman ang bibili ng lupa ng pribado lalung-lalo na para sa public use na kailangan ng Lungsod, aba eh, talagang rockbottom. Kami ay tinagurian ng lahat ng pangalanbarat kung barat pero nakukuha po namin sa tamang presyo. Mr. De los Angeles. Pagkatapos po ninyong sinulatan ang Basa-Guidote noong Nobyembre 28, 2000, ano ang nangyari? Mr. Atienza. Noong 2000 nang ipinadala na iyong sulat, nagresponde na po iyong may-ari. Dumating sa opisina at humingi ng appointment po iyong si Mrs. Cristina Corona at akin namang agad ini-schedule kaya nagkita for the first time. Mr. De los Angeles. Saan po kayo nagkita? Mr. Atienza. Sa opisina ko po. Mr. De los Angeles. Ano ang pagpapakilala sa inyo ni Gng. Cristina Corona? Mr. Atienza. Sila nga raw po iyong kinatawan ng may-ari ng lupa at handa na po silang makipag-usap. Nabasa na nga iyong letter namin with finality that we are going to expropriate; we are going to file the necessary case. At medyo may pakiusap ng kaunti, Huwag muna ninyong madaliin, huwag ninyo munang ituloy ang kaso sapagkat baka naman mayroon tayong mapagkaisahan na fair price. Hindi naman po kami kumukontra. Iyon ang kanilang purpose for the meetingto let us know that they were not against, but they were after a fair price. Mr. De los Angeles. Sinabi po ninyo na ang sinabi ni Gng. Cristina Corona ay sila ang kinatawan ng Basa-Guidote Enterprises. Mayroon po ba siyang ipinakitang pagpapatibay sa kaniyang sinabi? Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ang aking unang-unang itinanong. Ang sabi ko ay, Papaano po namin malalaman na kayo ang authorized representative of the corporation? Because we are talking to the corporation and you are saying that you are the authorized party.
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She submitted to us a Certification of a Board Resolution, stating very clearly that the Corporate Board assigns a certain Cristina Corona to act for and in behalf of the corporation and to negotiate and to even accept payment for whatever agreements that we may arrive at. So that was sufficient to continue meeting with Mrs. Corona to discuss the details of the purchase. Mr. De los Angeles. Ipinapakita ko po sa inyo ang isang notaryadong Secretarys Certificate na may petsang Hunyo 19, 1987 na ginawa ni Asuncion Basa Roco, Corporate Secretary ng BasaGuidote Enterprises. Ano ho ang kaugnayan nito doon sa sinabi ninyong certification? Mr. Atienza. Ito po iyon. Ito po iyong ipinakita sa amin at aming tinanggap na authorization ng pagkatao ni Mrs. Corona to continue talking to the city government. Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that this Secretarys Certificate be marked as Exhibit 230. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, may we adopt the same as our own Exhibit Eleven H (HHHHHHHHHHH). The Presiding Officer. Are you adopting that same document? Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, as our own, Your Honor, this early. And the other document which was not yet marked by the Defense, which is the letter, we would like to mark it now as our own Exhibit I, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Mark them accordingly. Mr. Samonte Jr. And the notation appearing on the right upper portion thereof to be encircled and be marked in evidence for the Prosecution as Exhibit I-1, Your Honor, which reads: Received, 5 December 2000, with a signature on top of the readable portion: R. C. Corona, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. There is a name appearing at the bottom of this Secretarys Certificate under Attested by. Can you please read to us the name of that person? Mr. Atienza. Ang akin pong pagkakabasa rito noon at hanggang ngayon, kasi medyo malabo, Sister Concepcion Basa; at iyon po namang nasa itaas, Asuncion Basa Roco. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Mayroon ho bang kasama si Gng. Cristina Corona noong nakipagkita sa inyo? Mr. Atienza. Kasama po iyong kaniyang butihing kabiyak. Mr. De los Angeles. Ano ho ba ang pagpakilala nila sa iyo. Mr. Atienza. Si Atty. Renato Corona, abogado. Mr. De los Angeles. Kilala ba ho ninyo iyong Ginoong Corona noong panahong iyon? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. Iyon po ang unang pagkakataon ng pagkikita namin, bagamat nababasa ko sa dyaryo sapagkat alam ko na naging bahagi siya ng Presidential Legal Office noong panahon ni Pangulong Ramos. Mr. De los Angeles. Sa pagkakaalam ba ninyo ay mayroong katungkulan si Ginoong Corona noong nakipagkita sa inyo?
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Mr. Atienza. Wala po. Ang pagpapakilala niya sa sarili niya at pagkakakilala ko po ay he was a private practitioner. Mr. De los Angeles. Noong nakipagkita sa inyo sina Ginoong at Ginang Corona, ano ho ang sinabi ninyo sa kanila? Mr. Atienza. Ipinaliwanag ko po iyong intention ng Maynila na the case will be filed unless we come to terms and there is no way that we could possibly let go of that particular property because ang laki na po ng problema at that point. The stallholders were really agitated na napasukan na po ng ideological issuesthe government being anti-poor and how can we allow the demolition of public market for whatever purpose. Meanwhile, the Sampaloc residents were also becoming very worried about the loss of a public market. So ipinaliwanag ko kay Attorney Corona, nandoon na siya noon. Ang sabi ko, Wala kaming magagawa, we will have to go to court. We will expropriate your property and be ready to face the consequences, but we will take hold of the property to serve the purposes of public service. Mr. De los Angeles. Mayroon ho bang sinabi si Ginang Corona tungkol sa inialok ninyong presyo para sa lupa nila? Mr. Atienza. From the very start, alam ko naman na they were responsible people, realizing the predicament of the city government and not miscalculating the intentions of the administration. But they were willing to talk. So, Mrs. Corona was somehow requesting, Baka naman puwede hong itaas ninyo dahil iyon lamang naman ang aming pakiusap eh, hindi naman po kami tumatanggi. Mr. De los Angeles. Magkano ho ang ipinapakiusap ni Ginang Corona?
Mr. Atienza. Ang sabi nila, Nagbebentahan naman po dito ng up to P50,000, baka naman puwedeng iyan po ang gamitin ninyo, di wala na pong expropriation, P50,000 per square meter. Mr. De los Angeles. Eh ano naman ang sagot ninyo? Mr. Atienza. Napatawa ako dahil hindi naman ako papayag ng singkuwenta mil (P50,000.00). Alam na namin ang aming strategy and when we were dealing with them, we had a game plan and we cannot possibly pay P50,000 per square meter. So sinabi ko flat, No, we will have to stick to the 25. Mr. De los Angeles. Ano ho ang sinabi nila sa sagot ninyo? Mr. Atienza. They will consider it. They will meet and they will again come for another meeting. Ang sabi ko, Bilis-bilisan ninyo because we can only wait so much. Mr. De los Angeles. Alam ba ni Ginoong at Ginang Corona na may balak kayong iexpropriate iyong lupa nila? Mr. Atienza. Malinaw po iyon. Ipinakita ko pa ho iyong kopya ng expropriation eh. And as a lawyer, ang sabi niya, Kung maaari naman, huwag na nating paabutin diyan. Alam ko ang consequences ng expropriation. He knows they will only get 20 percent. Meanwhile, we will take possession of the property and the public project will still go up. Kaya ang sabi ko, Bilisan ninyo ang pag-iisip at kami po naman eh, we will reconsider and we will consider your request so that we will communicate to you as soon as possible our last and final offer and you decide from there. Otherwise, we will see you in court.
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Mr. De los Angeles. Nagkita pa ho ba kayo pagkatapos noong Mr. Atienza. Sumulat muna ako clearly defining our intentions, pumapayag na kaming i-adjust ng konti iyong presyo, gawin nating P34,000 per square meter, hindi na kami makikipag-usap from there. And then pumayag naman sila. Sumulat agad. Mabilis iyong sagot nila eh. Reluctantly, I remember the key word. Reluctantly we are giving in to your price. Mr. De los Angeles. Nasabi ho ninyo na sumulat kayo? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. De los Angeles. Ipinapakita ko po sa iyo ang isang sulat na may petsang Enero 8, 2001 para sa Basa-Guidote. Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Sapagkat ito na po eh. Enero na po ito, Enero 8, 2001. Eh medyo magulo na ang panahon noon. We were in a very restive condition. I had my own backyard agitated with this issue alone and so therefore, ako na mismo ang sumulat eh. First time po akong nagcommunicate. Because I thought ako po ang kausap na nila, ako na ang sumulat para maniwala na sila na magkikita na tayo sa korte kung hindi kayo papayag. Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that this letter dated January 8, 2001 be marked as Exhibit 232. The Presiding Officer. That is the letter to whom? Mr. De los Angeles. I am sorry, 231, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. May we know if that is an original or a duplicate original? The Presiding Officer. Just a minute. That is a letter from whom to whom? Mr. De los Angeles. That letter is from the mayor to Basa- Guidote. So the original, Your Honor, is with Basa-Guidote. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. Samonte Jr. May we know if at least that is a duplicate original or a plain photocopy? Mr. De los Angeles. Mayor, do you have a duplicate original of this letter? Mr. Atienza. Palagay ko nasa Mayors Office po ngayon iyon. Lahat ng records dito eh nasa City Hall po. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay, we will endeavor to look for that duplicate original for comparison purposes. Mr. Samonte Jr. So that this copy came from the Defense? Mr. De los Angeles. Yes, Your Honor.
Mr. Samonte Jr. Not from the mayor? Mr. De los Angeles. No. This copy
Mr. Samonte Jr. I just want to be clarified. Is this very copy, now being marked, came from the Defense or from the good mayor?
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Mr. De los Angeles. If I am not mistaken, it came from the good mayor. Mr. Samonte Jr. Himself. Mr. De los Angeles. Himself. Mr. Samonte Jr. He brought it over this afternoon. Mr. De los Angeles. I think that was shown to me when I talked to him the other day. Mr. Samonte Jr. So it came from him? Mr. De los Angeles. Yes. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. De los Angeles. Now, there appears a signature above the name Jose Atienza in that letter, whose signature is that? Mr. Atienza. Pirma ko po ito. Akin po. Mr. De los Angeles. Ano ho ang reaction ng Basa-Guidote sa sulat na iyan? Mr. Atienza. Sumagot na po sila formally. After this letter, they formally accepted the price and that caused the negotiation. Mr. De los Angeles. Ipinapakita ko po sa inyo ang isang sulat na may petsang Pebrero 13, 2001, iyan ho ba iyung sinasabi ninyong sulat na galing sa Basa-Guidote? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Ito po ay addressed sa akin at pinirmahan po naman noong Cristina R. Corona, authorized representative of the Basa-Guidote Enterprises. Mr. De los Angeles. May we request, Your Honor, that this letter dated February 13, 2001 be marked as Exhibit 232. The Senate President. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. There appears a signature below that letter under the words Received original, whose signature is that? Mr. Atienza. Pirma po noong secretary to the mayor. Siya po ang tumatanggap ng mga communications. Mr. De los Angeles. And who is he? Mr. Atienza. Atty. Emmanuel Sison. Mr. De los Angeles. Pagkatapos noong matanggap ninyo iyong pagsang-ayon ng BasaGuidote Enterprises, ano ang nangyari? Mr. Atienza. Noong pumayag na po sila at natapos iyung negosasyon, eh kami po ay pinatakbo namin iyung proseso na consummation. The necessary Deed of Sale was directed by us to be prepared, and our City Legal Office went into action at gumawa na po ng draft Deed of Sale. Mr. De los Angeles. I am showing to you a copy of a Deed of Sale which we would like to mark as Exhibit 233.
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The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Is this the Deed of Sale that you referred to? Mr. Atienza. Opo. The Presiding Officer. What is the date of that Deed of Sale? Mr. De los Angeles. This Deed of Sale is dated March 26, 2001, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Between whom? Mr. De los Angeles. March 26. The Presiding Officer. Between whom? Mr. De los Angeles. Between the City of Manila and Basa-Guidote Enterprises. Mr. Atienza. Opo. The Presiding Officer. Okay. Mark it accordingly. Mr. de los Angeles. May we make of record that this Deed of Sale consist of five pages and that the original of this Deed of Sale will be presented by the next witness, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. The original is, Counsel? Mr. De los Angeles. Yes. The Presiding Officer. The original is... Mr. De los Angeles. ...is with the next witness, the acting custodian of records of the City of Manila, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. That ought to be in the Register of Deeds. Mr. De los Angeles. No, Your Honor. I think the original is still with the acting records custodian of the City of Manila, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Not registered? Mr. De los Angeles. I am not very clear about that, Your Honor. But it seems that the Deed of Sale has not yet been registered. The Presiding Officer. Okay. Mr. De los Angeles. But I am not sure about that, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Proceed. Mr. De los Angeles. There appears signature on the Deed of Sale, can you please identify the signature above the name Jose L. Atienza? Mr. Atienza. Pirma ko po ito. Mr. De los Angeles. And, there is also a signature above the name Cristina Corona, whose signature is that?
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Mr. Atienza. Pirma po ni Mrs. Corona ito dahil nagpirmahan kaming magkaharap, eh. And meron kaming testigo, si Atty. Emmanuel Sison at saka si Atty. Melchor Monsod, our City Legal Officer. Mr. De los Angeles. Meron ho bang ebidensya na itong Deed of Absolute Sale ay dumaan sa Legal Office ng Lungsod ng Maynila? Mr. Atienza. Natitiyak ko po sapagkat hindi naman ako pipirma ng anumang dokumento na hindi sinuri, pinag-aralan ng aming abugado, to make sure that all the requirements that we are expecting from the document are all contained in the final Deed of Sale. At meron po namang mga dokumento ito, I am sure, on the endorsements of the necessary documents that we are asking for to be acted on. Meron pong mga endorsement letters iyan. Mr. De los Angeles. Okey. Pinapakita ko po sa inyo ang isang endorsement dated March 9, 2001 marked as Exhibitna hinihingi naming markahan na Exhibit 234. Pakitingnan ho ninyo iyong nakapirma diyan sa Exhibit 234 at pakisabi ninyo kung kaninong pirma iyan. Mr. Atienza. Ito po ay endorsement ng City Legal Office pirmado po ng City Legal Officer, Atty. Melchor Monsod, na nagsasaad na iyong kanilang inihandang Deed of Absolute Sale ay kalakip at hinihingan po nila ng approval ng inyong lingkod. Mr. De los Angeles. Pinapakita ko ang first endorsement na may petsang Mayo 16, 2001, ano ho ba itong endorsement na ito? Mr. Atienza. Ito po naman ay again another referral, endorsement of the secretary to the mayor to the Office of the City Accountant requesting issuance of the necessary certificate of availability of funds in the amount of P34 million for payment of the property located along Legarda, Sampaloc covered by TCT No. 76220. Mr. De los Angeles. Meron hong pirma diyan sa first endorsement na iyan. Kaninong pirma iyan? Mr. Atienza. Si Attorney Sison iyan. Kilala ko po iyang pirmang iyan. Mr. De los Angeles. May we request, Your Honor, that this first endorsement dated May 16, 2001, be marked as Exhibit 235? The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Pinapakita ko rin sa inyo ang second endorsement na may petsang Mayo 22, 2001, ano ho ito? Mr. Atienza. Ito po naman ay referral din ng tanggapan ni Attorney Sison to the Chief, Accounting and Property Division, the attached certificate. Na-isyuhan na ho ng certificate of availability of funds ng halagang P34,700,000 as payment of the property. Mr. De los Angeles. Merong pirma diyan sa second endorsement. Mr. Atienza. Pirmado po ni Atty. Emmanuel Sison. Mr. De los Angeles. May we request, Your Honor, that the second endorsement dated May 22, 2001, be marked as Exhibit 236. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly.
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Mr. De los Angeles. Alam ho ba ninyo kung ano ang nangyari sa dalawang requests at endorsements na ito? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Iyon po ay tumakbo na sa proseso at nagbunga na iyan ng Mr. De los Angeles. Nang sinabi ninyong nagbunga, gusto ho ba ninyong sabihin naaprubahan ang availability of funds? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Nagkaroon po ng certification of funds availability that should lead to the preparation of the necessary checks. Mr. De los Angeles. Pinapakita ko ho sa inyo ang isang sulat na may petsang Mayo 18, 2001. Ito ho ba iyong sinasabi ninyo? Mr. Atienza. Ito na po iyong sulat ng city accountant na nagmumula po sa Office of the City Treasurer and the Office of the City Budget Officer. Tatlo po silang nag-certify ng availability of funds. Mr. De los Angeles. Mayroon hong mga pirma diyan, paki-identify ho nga ninyo kung kanino iyan? Mr. Atienza. City Treasurer Liberty Toledo, City Accountant Gloria Quilantang, City Budget Officer Alice Moscaya. Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that this letter dated May 18, 2001, be marked as Exhibit 237. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Pagkatapos i-issue ang certificate of availability of funds, ano ang ginawa ng City of Manila tungkol sa Deed of Absolute Sale? Mr. Atienza. Nagpirmahan na nga po kami at mayroon na pong perang pambayad. Mr. De los Angeles. Paano ho ninyo binayaran itong P34,703,800? Mr. Atienza. In the form of a check of the city government of the City of Manila. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Pinapakita ko ho sa inyo ang isang tseke ng Land Bank No. 188804 dated June 5, 2001 na may halagang P34,703,800, ito ho ba yung tseke? Mr. Atienza. Bagamat hindi po ako nakapirma rito, ang nakapirma po rito ay City Treasurer at yong secretary to the mayor, by authority of the mayor, as he was the signatory to all our payments at that time. The Presiding Officer. Who is the payee of that check? Mr. Atienza. Ito po ay naka-address po sa Cristina Corona, ITF (In Trust For), Basa-Guidote Enterprises Incorporated. Mr. Samonte Jr. If I am not mistaken, this was previously marked as Exhibit 44 for the Defense early on. The Presiding Officer. Are you marking the check? Mr. Samonte Jr. I have a copy here coming from the Secretariat, Your Honor, which we will adopt as our own as Exhibit
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Mr. De los Angeles. If, Your Honor, please. The Presiding Officer. Just a minute. Has the Defense marked the check as exhibit?
Mr. De los Angeles. Your Honor, what we marked earlier was a xerox copy. But this check which is now being presented came from the auditing office, Your Honor, the COA. The Presiding Officer. Of? Mr. De los Angeles. The Commission on Audit, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Yes. And you are marking it? Mr. De los Angeles. We would like to mark it as Exhibit 238, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. So mark it accordingly. Mr. Samonte Jr. And for the Prosecution as Exhibit JJJJJJJJJJJ. The Presiding Officer. Mark it. Mr. Samonte Jr. for the front portion, and the dorsal portion as JJJJJJJJJJJ-1, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Mark the same accordingly for the Prosecution. Mr. De los Angeles. Exhibit 238-A. May we also request that the dorsal portion be marked as
The Presiding Officer. For the Defense? Mr. De los Angeles. Yes, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, may we request for further submarking? We would like to request that the entry at the back portion thereof, reading, For deposit to Account 001512-0029-74 in the name Cristina R. Corona, be encircled and be further marked Exhibit JJJJJJJJJJJ-2, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly for the Prosecution. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. De los Angeles. Ginang Corona? Mayroon ho bang katibayan na itong tseke ay natanggap ni
Mr. Atienza. Ay iyan po ay natitiyak ko sapagkat sa opisina ko po nagkaroon kami ng simple ceremony of agreement na ikinatuwa ng lahat. Mr. De los Angeles. Mayroon ho bang voucher ito? Mr. Atienza. Mayroon po at covered by the necessary vouchers. Mr. De los Angeles. Pinapakita ko po sa inyo ang isang voucher, ano ho iyong kaugnayan nitong voucher na ito doon sa inyong sinabi?
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Mr. Atienza. Ito po ang official document that allows the preparation and the release of the money. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. There appears at the bottom of the voucher under Received a signature, whose signature is that? Mr. Atienza. Ang tumanggap po ay si Cristina R. Corona. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. May I request, Your Honor, that this voucher be marked as Exhibit 239. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. Tinatawag ko ho ang pansin ninyo, Ginoong Mayor, sa paragraph 2 ng Deed of Absolute Sale. Pakipakita kay Mayor ang Deed of Absolute Sale na nagsasaad, Simultaneously with the payment of the said sum, Basa-Guidote shall voluntarily surrender to the city its owners duplicate copy of TCT No. 76220. Ano ba ang nangyari pagkabigay ng tseke kay Gng. Cristina Corona? Mr. Atienza. Ang akin pong nakita at sa kaalaman ko po eh ay tinurn-over (turnover) po iyongnakita ko po iyong titulo at tinanggap naman po ng aming City Legal Officer at ni Secretary Sison. Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that a xerox copy of the title, TCT No. 76220, be marked as Exhibit 240. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. If, Your Honor please, my attention has been called that a certified true copy of TCT No. 76220 has already been marked as Exhibit 228-A. So I withdraw my earlier request. The Presiding Officer. All right. Exhibit No. Mr. De los Angeles. Exhibit 240 is withdrawn because the certified true copy of the title has already been marked as Exhibit 228-A. The Presiding Officer. Request of the Defense is granted. Mr. De los Angeles. Binigyan din ho ba kayo ng Tax Declaration ng Basa Enterprises through Gng. Cristina Corona? Mr. Atienza. Not personally anymore. and my lawyer already handled that. Iyong portion na iyon eh it wasMy secretary
Mr. De los Angeles. Anyway, Your Honor, may we mark the Tax Declaration as Exhibit 240. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly.
Mr. Atienza. Nabasa ko rin po ito at dumaan sa akin. Ito po iyong nagsasaad ng value nuong lupa na aming binili.
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Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Pagkatapos ninyong bayaran ang Basa-Guidote Enterprises, ano ang ginawa ninyo tungkol sa lupa? Mr. Atienza. Immediately po ay tineyk-over (take-over) na namin. At dahil nga po kapos na kami sa panahon, nabayaran na iyong kabilang palengke, may salapi na po kaming nakalaan para po roon sa pangangailangan, the first order of the day was to construct an emergency relocation market para po iyong tatamaang mga vendors doon sa lumang palengke at mawawalan ng hanapbuhay ay mailipat namin agad. It only took us about two weeks to build a makeshift temporary emergency market doon sa bahagi ng property nila Mrs. Corona at agad po naming dinimolis iyong kanilang istraktura roon. Halos simultaneous iyon. While we were demolishing the structure, we were also building a temporary emergency market. Mr. De los Angeles. Mayroon ho bang tumutol sa mga nagtitinda sa paglipat ng palengke? Mr. Atienza. Marami po, pangkalahatan. There was a total refusal to transfer because they feel they really had a right to the old public market. Naku, ang dami po naming dialogues na ginanap dahil sa paliwanag kami nang paliwanag. Hindi natin mapipigil iyan at hindi po mababago ang pangangailangan ng LRT line at ito ay kapalaran ng Sampaloc na iyong Central Station ay dito mailagay. Hindi roon sa labas ng Maynila at hindi rito sa bandang Sta. Mesa kundi dito sa Legarda and Bustillos, malapit sa university belt, malapit sa commercial area ng Sampaloc. It took us a lot of effort. I remember, nag-meeting kami sa umaga, tanghali, gabi. Meanwhile the radicalization and polarization was happening, iyong isyu sa lansangan ito ay anti-poor measure, na iyong LRT project is a...maraming mga bintang na useless. Samantalang iyong pangangailangan nila ang importante. Naiintindihan ko po lahat iyon kaya we were acting with dispatch to address the legitimate reasons for the objection to the whole project. The Presiding Officer. What is the relevance of that question to the present impeachment case? Mr. De los Angeles. Well, I just would like to ask a follow-up question, Your Honor, to show that the City of Manila eventually took possession, physical and legal possession, of that property, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. All right. Mr. De los Angeles. So, pagkatapos po noon ay lumipat din po ba itong mga nagtitinda sa bagong lugar na dating lupa ng Basa-Guidote? Mr. Atienza. Noong naitayo na namin iyong emergency relocation facilities dahil kailangan ipakita po ninyo na mayroon silang lilipatang palengke kahit na makeshift pero mapagtitindahan. Iyon lamang ang nakakumbinsi sa kanila. At iyong mga informal settlers po naman na kasali rin sa gulo, itinayo pa namin ng kaunting temporary shelter doon sa likod po naman noong property. About 16 families were given temporary shelter there. Mr. De los Angeles. Magmula noon hanggang ngayon, mayroon ba kayong alam kung mayroon pong nag-claim diyan sa lupa na iyan? Mr. Atienza. Wala na po. Definitely, the property was owned by the corporation and the transaction was respected and honored. As I understand, there was peaceful possession that we initiated and was never contested.
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Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Sa COA naman, Commission on Audit, lalo na doon sa inyong resident COA, mayroon po bang tutol? Mr. Atienza. Initially, wala po. Dumaan po naman lahat iyang prosesong iyan sa kanilang pagsusuri. But a year after, lumabas sa report ng isang audit team coming from the central office of COA, which is normal, and according to regular practices, ino-audit po lahat ng transaction ng city government, LGUs. Lumabas po sa kanilang report na mayroong order for suspension for that particular transaction asking for documents to be submitted before they act on the contract favorably. Mr. De los Angeles. Okay. Pinapakita ko po sa inyo ang isang notice ng suspension na may petsang March 5, 2002. Ano po ba ang kaugnayan nito doon sa nasabi ninyong notice of suspension? Mr. Atienza. Kagaya ng sinabi ko po, a year after, a year after the transaction nagkaroon ng review ng central office at gumawa ng rekomendasyon iyong local COA. The Presiding Officer. Counsel, what is the relevance of this issue regarding the sale of the property? There was already transfer of the property to the city, payment to the seller who is involved in this case. Mr. De los Angeles. I just want to complete the picture, Your Honor, and this will be my last question, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Yes, please go ahead. Mr. De los Angeles. So that, Your Honors, we will have the complete picture. Mr. Atienza. Gusto ko lamang pong sabihin, Your Honor, Mr. President, although there was an order for suspension in 2002, every year thereafter, we had been reviewed by the central office 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Hindi na po lumabas iyong usapin na iyan. Meaning, I assumed that my people were able to submit the necessary supporting papers that they were asking, that they were demanding and that removed that particular transaction from the list of suspended transactions. Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor please, may I move to strike out that last portion for being a volunteered statement, done without the benefit of a proper question? The Presiding Officer. Let it remain into the record. But, anyway, as far as this Court is concerned, whatever is the problem with respect to the transaction between the seller and the buyer is of no moment here. The fact is that money was transferred to Mrs. Corona. Mr. De los Angeles. May I request, Your Honor, that the Notice of Suspension dated March 5, 2002 be marked as Exhibit 244. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly. Mr. De los Angeles. That will be all with this Witness. The Presiding Officer. All right. Before the cross-examination, suspension. Mr. De los Angeles. I am sorry, 241.
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Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, we just like to mark that particular document as Exhibit KKKKKKKKKKK. Yes, Your Honor, suspension. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly for the Prosecution. Before the Prosecution starts its cross-examination, let us have a recess for five minutes. The trial was suspended at 3:45 p.m. At 4:14 p.m., the trial was resumed. The Presiding Officer. The Impeachment trial is resumed. The Floor Leader is recognized. The Prosecution will now start its cross-examination. [Pause] Is the Prosecution ready to cross-examine? Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor, we are ready to start with our cross-examination. But may we make an announcement, a manifestation, that because of the lengthy direct examination and numerous documents presented through our good Mayor, we might not be able to wind up our cross-examination and we would need a reasonable time to go over them for further and more intelligent cross-examination, Your Honor. But we can start now. The Presiding Officer. You can continue your cross-examination. You have all the time to do this. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor, until such time that we have to suspend for the meantime as we have to go over the other documents. The Presiding Officer. You want to.... Mr. Samonte Jr. We can start. We will start now, right now, we will start. The Presiding Officer. All right. You can start. Mr. Samonte Jr. May I proceed, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Yes, proceed. Mr. Samonte Jr. Magandang hapon po, Mr. President, and Mr. good Mayor. The Presiding Officer. Magandang hapon po uli sa inyo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Dumating po kayo sa hearing ngayong hapon dito sa Impeachment Court ng sarili po ninyong kusa o voluntarily? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Wala pong hiningi ang depensa na subpoena sa kagalang-galang na Impeachment Court para kayo ay dumalo at tumestigo? Mr. Atienza. Ako po ay inanyayahan. I was invited. Mr. Samonte Jr. Sino po ang nag-anyaya sa inyo?
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Mr. Atienza. Si Atty. De los Angeles. Mr. Samonte Jr. Kailan po kayo inanyayahan kaya? Mr. Atienza. Noong isang linggo. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, as early as last week alam na ninyo na tetestigo kayo? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. At pinag-usapan ninyo.... Mr. Atienza. Let me correct that. Initially, hesitant po ako to.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Can you just kindly answer my question, Mr. Witness. Mr. Atienza. Initially, hesitant ako pero nag-decide ako finally to.... Mr. Samonte Jr. And when did you finally decide to take the stand? Mr. Atienza. Two days ago. Mr. Samonte Jr. Two days ago. Okay. And no subpoena was issued to you as you earlier admitted? Mr. Atienza. Wala po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Did Atty. de los Angeles explain to you the nature of your testimony? Mr. Atienza. Vaguely, because I came here on my own volition. I know what I was going to say. I wanted to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, whatever I know is the truth. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes. Thank you for that. Thank you, Mayor. Sabi po ninyo dahil sa pangangailangan ng siyudad ng Maynila sa lugar na paglilipatan ng mga stallholders naghanap kayo ng lugar? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Noong una iniisip ninyo na by way of expropriation. Hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. At sabi ninyo nagpahanap kayo sa mga staff ninyo? Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. Puwede po ba ninyong sabihin sa amin specifically sino iyong staff ninyo na inyong naatasan for this purpose? Mr. Atienza. City Administrator Fernando; City Secretary Emmanuel Sison; City Engineer Magdiwang Recato; City Architect Jun Tablan; and, of course, members of the City Council who are also equally concerned especially those from Sampaloc. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, practically, all the high-ranking city officials you have given the instruction to look for the place to be the subject of relocation and, of course, to find out the owners or the proper parties that you have to deal with for the purpose of acquisition. Mr. Atienza. Tama po.
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Mr. Samonte Jr. Meron po tayong tinatawag na due diligence. I hope you understand that. Mr. Atienza. Medyo po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Ang ibig sabihin po noon magsisikap kayo na saliksikin lalo na kung sino ang may-ari, kung may titulo man iyong pag-aaring gusto ninyong kunin by way of expropriation. Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Ginawa po ba ninyo iyon? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Inatasan po ba ninyo kung sinuman doon sa mga high ranking officials na nabanggit ninyo na tingnan nga ninyo kung sino ang may-ari nito? Mr. Atienza. Palagay ko ako po iyong pinaka-highest ranking official. Mr. Samonte Jr. I mean, lower than you na inutusan ninyo. Mr. Atienza. Kasama ko po sila kapag nag-i-inspeksiyon kami sa bandang Legarda, naghahanap po kami ng ideal site. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, natumbok ninyo po, natukoy ninyo na ito iyong ideal site. Mr. Atienza. The most ideal. Mr. Samonte Jr. Which happens to be the property owned by an entity named Basa-Guidote Enterprise, Inc. Mr. Atienza. When I got.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Nalaman po ba ninyo iyon? Mr. Atienza. When I got that impression, wala po akong alam kung sino ang may-ari. Mr. Samonte Jr. Hindi po ba naging bahagi ng due diligence ninyo para malaman kung sino talaga ang may-ari ng nasabing propriedad na inyong dapat bilhin o kunin? Mr. Atienza. Eventually, lumabas po iyong pangalan. Pero when we decided, ito, ideal ito, wala pong pangalan. Mr. Samonte Jr. Kailan po ba? Puwede po bang sabihin ninyo sa amin kung kailan ninyo nalaman na ito na nga ang gusto ninyo? Kailan? Mr. Atienza. Noong 1999. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, as early as 1999. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Kailan ninyo po nalaman naman sa pagsasaliksik at sa pag-i-exercise ng due diligence ng inyong matataas na tauhan na ang may-ari pala nito ay isang korporasyon na nagngangalang Basa-Guidote? Kailan po kaya? Matatandaan ninyo ba? Mr. Atienza. First quarter na po siguro iyon ng 1999 entering the second quarter at hindi na po ako iyon. Iyong city administrator namin went on his own to seek the owners of the property and siya po ang nakakuha ng detalye.
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Mr. Samonte Jr. Pero siyempre po, from time to time, ina-update niya kayo sa kung ano mang impormasyon na nakita niya. Mr. Atienza. Noong isusulat na niya iyong intensiyon namin, doon ko lamang nakita kung sino ang susulatan namin. I did not care kung sino ang may-ari. Ang importante iyong lupa kailangan. Mr. Samonte Jr. Opo, wala po tayong quarrel doon kung sino iyong dapat na may-ari na dapat ninyong malaman. Ano nga po ulit ang petsa ng unang sulat na pinadala ng tao ninyo? Mr. Atienza. Palagay ko Mayo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Puwede po bang mahiram iyong kopya ng unang sulat? Ito po ba iyong May 30, 1999? Mr. Atienza. Iyan po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Na minarkahan ninyo bilang Exhibit 226, Mr. Defense Counsel. Ito po ba iyon? Tama po ako, Exhibit 226. Mr. De los Angeles. Titingnan ko lamang iyong records ko. Yes. Mr. Samonte Jr. At samakatuwid, nalaman ninyo na ang nagmamay-ari pala nito by that time, May 30, 1999, na ang sinasabi ninyong administrator ayon sa sulat ninyo mismo ay isang Ms. Cristina Corona. Tama po ba ako, Mayor? Mr. Atienza. Iyan po ang nakalagay sa sulat. Mr. Samonte Jr. At ito po iyong mismong sulat na pinadala ni City Administrator Antonio A. Fernando. Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Bago po ba pinadala ito nakita ninyo na ito? Mr. Atienza. Iyong sulat? Mr. Samonte Jr. Iyong sulat. Kinunsulta po ba ito sa inyo? Mr. Atienza. Iyong sulat kinunsulta sa akin. Mr. Samonte Jr. So nakita po ninyo ito bago ipadala. Mr. Atienza. Iyong sulat, oo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Nalaman po ba ninyo kung papaano pinadala ito sa addressee? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam. Mr. Samonte Jr. Ginoong Mayor, pakibasa nga po ang addressee sa sulat na iyan pati iyong address niya. Mr. Atienza. Ms. Cristina Corona, Administrator, Basa-Guidote Enterprises. Mr. Samonte Jr. Sasang-ayon po kayo sa akin na walang detalye kung saan siya, kung sino itong si Cristina Corona, saan mismo ang address, number ng bahay, number ng opisina, at kung
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saang lugar, kung sa Makati, sa Maynila o saan. Ito po ay plain na Ms. Cristina Corona, Administrator, Basa-Guidote Enterprise, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Kapag ito po ba ay pinadala sa koreyo, halimbawa, inaasahan ninyo ba na matatanggap ito? Mr. Atienza. Alam ninyo.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Hindi. Sagutin ninyo lamang ako, yes or no. Mr. Atienza. Palagay ko hindi sa koreyo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Hindi matatanggap, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Palagay ko hand-carried iyan. Mr. Samonte Jr. Hand-carried. May proof po ba kayo? Tatanggapin ko iyang sinasabi ninyo. Mr. Atienza. Nakarating po, e. Mr. Cuevas. May we request, Your Honor, that the Witness be treated very courteously. Mr. Samonte Jr. I am sorry. Mr. Cuevas. I do not know why you are picking a quarrel with the Witness. Mr. Samonte Jr. I am not, I am not. Mr. Justice, I am not. Pasensiya na po kayo, medyo.... The Presiding Officer. No, just an emphasis. Mr. Samonte Jr. Opo. Nasa cross-examination po ako. Pasensya na po. Mr. Cuevas. In the first place, the letter has not been authored by the Witness on the stand, Your Honor. It is by somebody else. How it was drafted, how it was sent to the addressee, it is not within his capability. The Presiding Officer. Let the Witness answer please. Mr. Samonte Jr. Salamat po. The Presiding Officer. Let the Witness answer. Mr. Cuevas. Nakasagot na yata. Mr. Samonte Jr. May I know the last answer? Mr. Atienza. Ang importante po nakarating. Mr. Samonte Jr. Hindi, sagutin ninyo lamang po ako kung... Mr. Atienza. Nakarating ang sulat. Mr. Samonte Jr. Tinatanong ko po kung ito ay pinadala sa pamamagitan ng koreyo, naniniwala ba kayo na matatanggap po ito? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam kung iyan ay pinadala sa koreyo, kung iyan ay hinand-carry, ang importante nagkaroon ng resulta. Iyon po ang trabaho ng mayor.
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Mr. Samonte Jr. So, sa pamamagitan po nitong mismong sulat na ito, ito po ba iyong mismong kopya na pinadala kaya? Mr. Atienza. Iyan po ang lumalabas na kopya at wala naman akong nakitang ibang kopya. Mr. Samonte Jr. Sasang-ayon po ba kayo sa akin na sa ordinaryong pagbasa ng sinasabi ninyong sulat na ito na May 13, wala pong nakalagay rito kung papaano ninyo sinasabing natanggap ito? Mr. Atienza. Kasi pagkatapos po nito, iyong city administrator ko ay mananagot sa akin. Siya po ang managot sa akin, sa aking follow-up sa kanya. Mr. Samonte Jr. City administrator po ba o... May kinalaman po ba iyong secretary ninyo rito, si Attorney Sison, sa pagpapadala nito? Mr. Atienza. Iyan po sa unang-unang kontak, iyong city administrator po ang humawak. Mr. Samonte Jr. Kilala po kaya ni Mr. City Administrator Fernando si Gng. Cristina Corona para sinasabi ninyo kanina na baka hand carried or personal service ito? Mr. Atienza. Palagay ko hindi ko masasagot iyan sapagkat kung alam niya dapat nasabi na niya agad sa akin. Mr. Samonte Jr. Hindi ho ba sabi ninyo kanina walang reply? Mr. Atienza. Wala po. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, paano ninyo nasabing natanggap itong sulat na ito? Mr. Atienza. Siyempre marami pong trabaho ang mayor. Hindi ko po masusundan iyan on a day-to-day basis. Ang importante nakita po iyong sulat na pinadala at naghintay ako ng resulta. Mr. Samonte Jr. Ano po ba ang totoo? Nagkaroon ho ba ng reply o walang reply sa mismong sulat na ito? Mr. Atienza. Wala po akong alam na naaalalang reply after that. Mr. Samonte Jr. Hindi ho ba? So, wala rin po tayong patunay na natanggap ito dahil walang reply.
Mr. Atienza. Ang alam ko ay hesitant iyong may-ari sapagkat ang report ng city administrator ay ayaw makipagkita ng may-ari. Mr. Samonte Jr. Conclusion ninyo po siguro iyon, Mayor? Mr. Atienza. Siyempre mayroon tayong kanya-kanyang conclusion. Kayo mayroon. Ako mayroon. Mr. Samonte Jr. Sige po. Salamat po.
Nagpautos ho ba kayo ng sinumang mataas na opisyal ng inyong tanggapan na halimbawa nalaman ninyong Basa-Guidote Enterprise, magpunta sa tamang sangay para mag-verify tulad ng Securities and Exchange Commission. Mayroon po ba kayong natatandaang nilabas na instruction, O, puntahan ninyo nga ito sa SEC para malaman ninyo kung sino ang mga taong involved dito.
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Mr. Atienza. At this point in time, I will not.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Mayroon ho ba kayong ginawa o wala?
Mr. Atienza. At this point in time, I will not remember the personalities involved. But every week we have a department heads meeting, this item would come up and reports are being made by the city administrator. As to the details of how they are doing it, hindi ko na po alam iyon as mayor. Mr. Samonte Jr. Pasensiya na po kayo, pero parang hindi ninyo nasagot iyong tanong ko. Ang tanong ko po: Mayroon ba kayong nautusan specifically na pumunta sa SEC? Mr. Atienza. Si city administrator po ang may hawak nung usapin. Siya po ang tinatanong namin. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, wala po kayong mismong binigay na instruction? Mr. Atienza. Si city administrator po ang aking kausap. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, naatasan ninyo po ba siya o hindi? Mr. Cuevas. Already answered, Your Honor. Mr. Atienza. Alam ninyo, ulit-ulitin ninyo man iyong tanong, pareho ang isasagot ko: the city administrator acted. The Presiding Officer. Reform the question. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor. So, dumating po kayo sa dako na nalaman ninyong...Paano po ninyo nalamang si Cristina Corona ang... Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko rin po alam. I am not competent to answer, paano mo nalaman? Ang importante nalaman mo. Iyon ang importante sa akin. Mr. Samonte Jr. Hindi po. Ang sinasabi ko po, Mayor, pakiunawa lang po iyong tanong ko. Kasi lumalabas po sa sulat na lumabas sa Office of the City Administrator ninyo na ito po ay dapat ipadala kay Cristina Corona bilang administrador ng Basa-Guidote. Mayroon ho bang nakapag-report sa inyo na, Mayor, Sir, dito natin ipadala ito kay Cristina Corona. Mayroon ho bang ganoong report? Mr. Atienza. Iyan po ay in-assign ko kay city administrator. He reported to me with this letter. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, samakatuwid po, wala kayong detalyeng natanggap kung bakit kay Cristina Corona nai-address itong sulat na ito? Wala po? Sagutin lang po sana. Mr. De los Angeles. Objection, Your Honor. Mr. Atienza. I cannot answer that question by a yes or no. The Presiding Officer. What is the pleasure of the gentleman from San Juan? Senator Ejercito Estrada. Thank you, Mr. President. Attorney Samonte, ako ay sumasang-ayon doon sa sinasabi ng dating Mayor Atienza sapagkat ako ay naging mayor din ng San Juan sa loob ng siyam na taon. Alam ninyo, once you expropriate
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a property, ang aking ginawa noong araw, ay inuutusan ko lamang ang aking municipal administrator at ang aking municipal attorney to make the necessary negotiations with the seller, doon sa may-ari ng lupa. Kaya sa aking pananaw, sa aking paningin, hindi na siguro trabaho ng mayor ang makipagusap doon sa may-ari noong property. At saka palagay ko ay tiningnan lamang siguro ni Mayor iyong address noong property doon sa kaniyang city assessor. Kaya siguro iyong administrator niya o iyong kaniyang city attorney ang nakipag-usap doon sa mga opisyales ng Basa-Guidote. Just for your information. Mr. Samonte Jr. Maaaring ganoon nga po iyon. The Presiding Officer. Anyway, the Prosecution is making the cross-examination and we have to give them the leeway to ask their questions for whatever purpose the question is asked, whether to test the credibility of the Witness or whether to search his real knowledge of the facts. Let them, give them the leeway to do it. Mr. Samonte Jr. Maraming salamat po. Kaya ko po naitatanong mayor kasi iyon, ang sabi ninyo kanina na parang naka-hands on kayo rito dahil pressured din kayo ng LRTA. Kaya po inaaasahan ko na iyong mga ganoong detalye ay dapat alam ninyo rin at inire-report sa inyo. May I proceed, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Proceed. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, natukoy na ninyo na ang property ay pag-aari ng Basa-Guidote, malinaw na po iyon noong bandang huli? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. At katunayan, doon sa susunod na sulat na ipinadala noong inyong, this time secretary to the Mayor, Atty. Emmanuel R. Sison, ito po ay naka-address na sa Basa-Guidote Enterprises, this time with address at 903 Sergio Loyola St., Sampaloc, Manila. Again, attention: Mrs. Cristina Corona. So, nito pong November 28, 2000, identified ninyo na po kung sino talaga iyong kinakausap ninyo? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. In between these two dates, May 13, 1999 at nito pong November 28, 2000, bilang mayor at bilang head of the office, may nalaman po ba kayong ibang negosasyon in between? Mr. Atienza. Ang alam ko po ay.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Kung mayroon po, kung wala po ay sabihin ninyo lamang. Mr. Atienza. Ang alam ko po ay si city administrator and after a period of time, a city secretary, nagtulungan na to try and get the other party to sit and negotiate. Dahil every Monday that item comes up in our meeting and no development has been reported. Kaya ako po naman ay nina-nag ko sila dahil kapag hindi po tumugon, we will have to act with more legal force. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, it is clear that you paid special attention to this particular....
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Mr. Atienza. Of course, yes. Mr. Samonte Jr. Special attention. Mr. Atienza. Because of the public service component required. Mr. Samonte Jr. Almost weekly ay pinag-uusapan ninyo ito?
Mr. Atienza. Lumalabas po iyan kasi mayroon kaming meeting every week. Mr. Samonte Jr. May sinabi po ba sa inyo si Administrator Fernando na si Mrs. Cristina Corona ay siyang dapat kausap at authorized representative ng nasabing Basa-Guidote Enterprises? Mayroon po bang ganoong impormasyon na nasabi sa inyo Mr. Atienza. I took that for granted. Mr. Samonte Jr. o wala? Mr. Atienza. I assume that because he wrote Mrs. Corona. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, evenpasensiya na po kayobefore this May 13, 1999 letter was sent, you already knew as the mayor that the person to contact or to talk to was or is Mrs. Cristina Corona? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Not yet. Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Kailan po ninyo nalaman? Mr. Atienza. With that letter. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, from then on, alam ninyo na? Mr. Atienza. From then on, alam ko na na Basa-Guidote Estate ang aming kausap. Alam po ninyo.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Wala pa po akong tanong, pasensiya na kayo. Mr. Atienza. Hindi, tuloy po ang sagot ko sa tanong ninyo. Nakalimutan ninyo na.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Wait for my next question. Can you just wait? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko pa nasasagot iyong tanong ninyo. Mr. Cuevas. Your Honor, please. The Presiding Officer. Order. Mr. De los Angeles. May the witness be allowed to answer completely, Your Honor? Mr. Samonte Jr. I thought he is finished already, Your Honor, and I should propound the.... The Presiding Officer. Counsel, propound your question and may I request the honorable Witness to wait for the question to be finished and answer the question, and the Counsel to allow the Witness to complete his answer.
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Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. So ordered. Mr. Samonte Jr. May I borrow our Exhibit 229? That is the letter of Attorney Sison. Defense, may I borrow, 229, the marked exhibit. Mr. Witness, will you agree with me that this photocopybecause we do not have the marked exhibitis the exact copy of the letter that you identified earlier and which was marked in evidence as Exhibit 229? The Presiding Officer. Where is the marked exhibit? Mr. Samonte Jr. It is being xeroxed, according to the Secretariat, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. It is....? Mr. Samonte Jr. Being xeroxed. So, just for me to continue, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Go ahead. Mr. Samonte Jr. I am showing to our Witness with a xerox copy which, as an officer of the Court, I am sure this is The Presiding Officer. Proceed. Mr. Samonte Jr. this is the same copy of that letter you earlier identified? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, can you read again the entry appearing at the right upper portion thereof, if you can? Mr. Atienza. I can vaguely decipher received by somebody: R. C. Corona. Mr. Samonte Jr. Will you agree with me that this is the signature of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam ang signature ni Chief Justice. Mr. Samonte Jr. Okay. Mr. Atienza. I have no way. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, may I go back to that meeting when Mrs. Corona, according to you, visited you at your office. Do you remember having stated that? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Atty. Renato Corona? And you admitted that she was in the company of her husband,
Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Is it your statement now that that was your first time to meet this couple? Mr. Atienza. Yes.
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Mr. Samonte Jr. And you declared today that the representation is just that he is an ordinary Atty. Renato Corona, that is correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, will you admit that at one time or the other, early this month, you have talked to Ms. Marites Vitug? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. And that you met somewhere at Shangri-La Makati? Mr. Atienza. No, we did not meet. We casually.... Mr. Samonte Jr. But you casuallyaccidentally bumped.... Mr. Atienza. Puwede po bang sagutin ko? Kayo yata ang gustong sumagot, di kayo na ang sumagot. The Presiding Officer. May I request the gentlemen to talk one after the other so that Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, please answer. The Presiding Officer. the statements can be properly recorded. Mr. Atienza. We casually bumped on the sidewalk while she was alighting and I was riding my car. Since she is an old friend, she asked me a number of questions which I responded automatically. Hindi po interview iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. Anyway, interview or casual talk, but the point is you were able to talk with each other at that time? Mr. Atienza. Yes. Mr. Samonte Jr. For about how many minutes, 10 to 15 minutes? Mr. Atienza. Siguro mga two to three minutes, the most. Mr. Samonte Jr. And she was able to ask you a number of questions? Mr. Atienza. A number of questions, I remember. Mr. Samonte Jr. Includingand you talked about this Basa-Guidote property? Mr. Atienza. Tinanong ako on how.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Did you talk about this? Mr. Atienza. Yes, we talked about it. Iyon ang point of interest niya. Mr. Samonte Jr. And you told her that when this Attorney Corona or this husband of Cristina Corona approached you, you told him, the husband, that you dont have to introduce yourself as I know you. Mr. De los Angeles. No basis, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. I am on cross.
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Mr. De los Angeles. Yes, but no basis. The Presiding Officer. Let the Witness answer. Mr. Samonte Jr. I am asking him, Your Honor. Mr. Atienza. No, because he was being introduced by my city administrator as somebody who served the government, well, under President Ramos. And I said, No need for any introduction, I have read about him, I know about him. Mr. Samonte Jr. So at that point, you already know the person of this Atty. Renato Corona. Mr. Atienza. At that point, yes.
Mr. Samonte Jr. And, in fact, you came to know that he was the Chief Legal Counsel of Malacaang at time. Mr. Atienza. Alam ko iyong kaniyang stint with President Ramos, and then may binanggit iyong City Administrator ko about his having served then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, you mentioned a certain Emmanuel Sison? Mr. Atienza. No, no, no, Attorney Fernando.
Mr. Samonte Jr. No, I mean your secretary. Mr. Atienza. My secretary is Atty. Emmy SisonEmmanuel Sison. Mr. Samonte Jr. He was your secretary all throughout in your stint? Mr. Atienza. In my nine (9) years as mayor. Mr. Samonte Jr. Okay. And you came to know that this Attorney Sison is a batchmate of Chief Justice Corona, the Respondent in this case, in law school. You came to know that? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam iyan at that point. Mr. Samonte Jr. Ah, okay. But Attorney Sison was there during that meeting, I suppose? Mr. Atienza. I would remember Attorney Fernando. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, did you ever come to know that they are batchmate at Ateneo? Mr. Atienza. Later on. Mr. Samonte Jr. Ah, eventually, you came to know. Mr. Atienza. Later on.
Mr. Samonte Jr. And when was that? Mr. Atienza. Eh mahaba na iyong aming pag-uusap noong nalaman kong mayroon silang same school. At na-trace po naming, ako ay Ateneo rin po ako galing. Ateneo rin pala si Chief Justice. Mr. Samonte Jr. And that took place, I mean the knowledge that you came to know, that information was before the sale, the actual execution of the Deed of Absolute Sale?
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Mr. Atienza. Yes.
Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, Mr. Mayor, according to you, because of your need, because of the need of the City of Manila for a location to transfer the market to accommodate the construction of the LRT, it came to a point that you have to come up with an expropriation ordinance. That is correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon.
Mr. Samonte Jr. And the City of Manila finally came up with City Ordinance No. 7975? Mr. Atienza. Tama po.
Mr. Samonte Jr. May I borrow the marked exhibit. The Presiding Officer. Which marked exhibit is that? Which marked exhibit is that? Mr. Samonte Jr. Exhibit 227, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Is that the ordinance? Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor, City Ordinance No. 7975. Your Honor, with the indulgence of this Honorable Court, may I ask our good mayor, considering the brevity of the title of this ordinance, to read into the Records, with your permission. Please read it aloud. Mr. Atienza. An ordinance expropriating that certain parcel of land owned by Guidote Mercantile Corporation, under TCT Nos. 76220, 194782, 120802, 241957, 94769 and 39078, measuring 4,643 square meters, more or less, located along Legarda Street, Manila and adjacent to the old and new Sampaloc Markets, to be used as relocation site of the stallholders of said market who will be displaced by the construction of MRT Line 2 Project, appropriating P30 million or so much thereof as may be necessary and for other purposes. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you for reading it, Your Honor. So, it is therefore clear, Mr. Mayor, that City Ordinance No. 7975, marked in exhibit for the Defense as 227, pertains specifically or this is an expropriation ordinance, as you may call it? Mr. Atienza. Opo, opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. And this Expropriation Ordinance No. 7975 pertains specifically to a certain parcel of land owned by Guidote Mercantile Corporation. That is correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. As stated clearly herein. Mr. Atienza. As stated. Mr. Samonte Jr. And it also pertains to six properties covered by the titles mentioned in this case? Mr. Atienza. Six parcels of land. Mr. Samonte Jr. Six parcels of land which according to you are located in the vicinity of Legarda-Bustillos area.
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Mr. Atienza. As we saw it, separate from each other. Nakakalat po iyan. Mr. Samonte Jr. But contiguous. Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. Nakakalat po iyan sa ibat-ibang bahagi noong area. Mr. Samonte Jr. Okay. All in Legarda. Mr. Atienza. In the same district, in the same area but not contiguous. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, there are six titles mentioned in this specific ordinance? Mr. Atienza. Yes. Mr. Samonte Jr. That is correct. And allocation or appropriation in acquiring by way of expropriation, these six properties is the amount of P30 million as stated in the title. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Covering a total area of these six properties of 4,643.7, that is correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. The Presiding Officer. What, 40? Mr. Samonte Jr. 4,643.7 square meters, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Square meters. Mr. Samonte Jr. Early on, you also made mention of the other ordinance which is City Ordinance No. 7976, you remember having identified this ordinance? Mr. De los Angeles. Excuse me. Mr. Atienza. Iyan po iyung Mr. De los Angeles. Excuse me. That is misleading, Your Honor. That has not been mark an evidence, and he did not mention that. The Presiding Officer. Was that not mentioned in this? Mr. De los Angeles. It was only 7975, which was presented. Mr. Samonte Jr. In that case, Your Honor, I will have to reform my question. The Presiding Officer. That was not mentioned in the testimony of the Witness? Mr. De los Angeles. No, Your Honor, nor was it presented. The Presiding Officer. All right. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, I will have to confront our good Mayor with this. The Presiding Officer. Then reform your question. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor, accordingly. Now, Mr. Mayor, you will agree with me thatin relation to this City Ordinance No. 7975, you relied on the succeeding City Ordinance No. 7976 in acquiring eventually the subject property, that is correct?
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Mr. Atienza. The 7976 is. Mr. Samonte Jr. Just answer the question. Mr. De los Angeles. He is answering the question, Your Honor. Mr. Atienza. I have to answer it accurately.
Mr. De los Angeles. If Your Honor please, may we request that the Witness be allowed to complete the answer because the Counsel is. The Presiding Officer. Let the Witness answer first before you propound your next question. Mr. Samonte Jr. I am sorry, Your Honor. But I just believe that it is answerable by yes or no, Your Honor. Anyway, I am allowing him to answer. Mr. Atienza. 7976, Mr. President, pertains to the annual budget of the City of Manila. Mr. Samonte Jr. Okay. So it is a budget ordinance, in short? Mr. Atienza. Yes. Mr. Samonte Jr. But eventually, in the negotiation and completion of this particular transaction involving the property of Basa-Guidote Enterprises, you referred and you derived your authority to transact on behalf of the City of Manila, out of this City Ordinance No. 7976? Mr. De los Angeles. Misleading, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. I am asking, Your Honor. Mr. De los Angeles. Misleading, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. That is why I am asking. The Presiding Officer. Let the Witness answer. He is the Mayor of Manila, he should know. Mr. Atienza. Eventually, we had to rely on 7976 because we feel that the result of the negotiation was outside of the expropriation ordinance. We had to come up with a solution and we had in our hands 7976 provided for the necessary funds. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, I will be correct to say that you eventually relied on this City Ordinance No. 7976, in relation to the acquisition of the Basa-Guidote properties? Mr. Atienza. Tama po, sapagkat available na po ang pera. The Presiding Officer. Just a minute, for clarification, there are two (2) ordinances here mentioning two (2) different corporate enterprises, am I correct? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. Isa lamang po iyung. The Presiding Officer. Ah, isa lang iyon? Mr. Atienza. Isa lang po ang Expropriation Ordinance 7975 which talks about one corporation, the Guidote Mercantile. The Presiding Officer. That is the first ordinance?
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Mr. Atienza. Opo. Iyung isang ordinansa namang binabanggit po ng Counsel ng Prosecution ay budget ordinance of the City of Manila. The Presiding Officer. Walang sinasabi kung anong korporasyon? Mr. Atienza. Wala po. Wala po. Iyun po ay appropriations for the different needs. Para pong national budget iyon. Ito po naman ay local budget. The Presiding Officer. Okay. Proceed. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you, Your Honor. So, I will have to even correct my statement earlier that Budget Ordinance No. 7976 was eventually used or referred to, relied upon in relation to Expropriation Ordinance No. 7975 in connection with the properties owned by Guidote Mercantile, is that correct? Mr. Atienza. tama po kayo. Ang nagamit na po naming kapangyarihan iyong coming from 7976,
Mr. Samonte Jr. Tama po ako? Mr. Atienza. Sapagkat hindi po naging totally expropriation iyong aming conclusion doon sa requirement. Mr. Samonte Jr. Ah, yes, Mr. Witness, thank you. So, I will be correct to say that in connection with this acquisition of this Basa-Guidote property under TCT No. 76220 with an area of 1,020.7 square meters, these are the only two (2) city ordinances that you made use of or referred to, and no other, is that correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, did you notice, Mr. Mayor, that nowhere in City Ordinance No. 7975 can you find the entity reading or named Basa-Guidote Enterprises Incorporated, nowhere in this exhibit? Mr. Atienza. Wala po diyan sa ordinansa. Mr. Samonte Jr. Wala po. And also nowhere in this City Ordinance No. 7975 can you find a figure reading P34 million, none? Mr. Atienza. Wala po diyan. Mr. Samonte Jr. The amount mentioned in this Expropriation Ordinance No. 7975 speaks of P30 million, is that correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. And this City Ordinance No. 7975 speaks of six properties? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, on the other hand, it speaks of a total area of 4,643.7, is that correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, I call your attention to the other only ordinance that you relied upon in the completion of this transaction, and that is Budget Ordinance No. 7976. I am giving you enough
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time, Mr. Mayor, to go over again, once again, this city ordinance and please help us find any entry, any mention of an entity named Basa-Guidote Enterprises. Mr. Atienza. Ito po ay Mr. Samonte Jr. Just answer the question, please. Mr. Atienza. Wala pong pangalan dito dahil ito po ay pondo ng gobyerno ng Maynila. Ito po ay mga items from the different departments, kung iyon po ang tinutukoy ninyo. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, you will agree with me that there is no mention whatsoever. Mr. Atienza. Meron po, pero meron po ditong Mr. Samonte Jr. No, in the Mr. Atienza. Wala pong Basa-Guidote rito. Meron po ritong paggamit ng salaping bayan. Mr. Samonte Jr. My question is about Basa-Guidote, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Atienza. Wala po rito. Mr. Samonte Jr. None. And there is also no mention of the specific amount of P34 million which eventually was the agreed purchase price by way of negotiated sale for the property owned by BasaGuidote? None, there is also none. Mr. Atienza. Wala po rito. Mr. Samonte Jr. None also. Mr. Atienza. Hindi po transactional ito, eh. Ito po ay appropriations budget. Mr. Samonte Jr. Okay. Because you have been a mayor of Manila for three terms, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Atienza. Proudly. Mr. Samonte Jr. Proudly. I know. Mr. Atienza. The only three-term mayor. Mr. Samonte Jr. Okay. Now, are you not aware, Mr. Mayor, that for a transaction like this, acquisition of a property by way of expropriation or by negotiated sale, that there should be a specific ordinance to treat that particular transaction, as provided for by the Local Government Code? Mr. De los Angeles. Objection, Your Honor, calling for a legal conclusion. Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, he is the mayor. He said proudly. The Presiding Officer. Let the Witness answer. Mr. Atienza. Alam ko po iyon sapagkat kailangan merong pondo at nakalaan doon sa paggamit. Eh, iyon pong bilihan ng lupa ay merong pondo ang Department of Engineering for capital outlay. Mr. Samonte Jr. Maliban po sa pondo, dapat po identified iyong property, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Eventually, ma-identify po. Pero hindi po sa budget iyan. Pag capital outlay, pwede pong land acquisition, pwedeng road construction, building construction and other requirement.
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Mr. Samonte Jr. So, sasang-ayon po kayo sa akin na dapat mayroong partikular or specific ordinance for that purpose? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po sa general appropriations. Kaya po general appropriations iyon. The Presiding Officer. Senator Lacson. Senator Lacson. I just have to clarify. The Presiding Officer. Counsel, will you allow Senator Lacson to take the floor? Senator Lacson. Mr. President, may I just help clarify this particular issue regarding 7975 and 7976. Mr. Mayor, hindi ninyo lang po siguro naalala, yung ginamit na pondo doon sa 7975, continuing appropriations po iyon doon sa previous budget, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Senator Lacson. Kaya hindi po iyong budget sa 7976 ang ginamit dito sa 7975? Mr. Atienza. Ang pagkaalam ko po yong pondong nagamit namin eventually sa pagbili po ay kinuha na namin doon sa appropriations measure. Senator Lacson. Hindi po. Continuing appropriations for the engineering services, Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) for the construction of the new Sampaloc Market. Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Senator Lacson. budget year. So, pag sinabing continuing appropriation, previous year po iyon,
Mr. Atienza. Tama po yon. Senator Lacson. Ang problema ninyo lang po dito, eh, hindi kayo nagpasa ng ordinance para i-realign iyong budget for the expropriation. Nandoon po ang problema, hindi doon sa between 7976 at 7975. Kasi hindi po pwedeng gamitin iyong 7976 kasi current year iyon, eh. Nauna pa po iyong 7975 sa 7976, I suppose. Mr. Atienza. Tama po yon. Iyong 7975 ay nauna po iyon dahil kailangan namin iyong expropriation measure dahil kung hindi, wala po kayong makakausap na may-ari ng lupa. Senator Lacson. Pero wala pong issue doon sa nauna iyong expropriation kaysa doon sa appropriation ng pondo para sa expropriation? Mr. Atienza. Halos sabay po iyon, eh. Senator Lacson. Tama po iyon, pero Mr. Atienza. Naaprubahan yata iyon on the same day. Senator Lacson. hindi po pwedeng gamitin iyong budget ordinance para doon sa expropriation kasi hindi po saklaw na iyon, eh. Mr. Atienza. Mayroon pong kinalaman sapagkat engineering requirement po iyon. Senator Lacson. Hindi po. Ang may kinalaman lang doon wala kayong subsequent ordinance para i-realign iyong budget na galing sa continuing appropriation doon sa kung ano man iyon
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7974 man iyon o 7973, eh dapat mayroon kayong subsequent city ordinance para i-realign iyong budget ng previous year, budget year, doon sa pag-expropriate. So, wala pong kinalaman iyong pinag-uusapan ninyo. Kasi nahihirapan po akong makinig dahil magkaiba po iyong inyong pinag-uusapan. Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Senator Lacson. Salamat po. The Presiding Officer. Counsel for the Prosecution, continue. Mr. Samonte Jr. May I proceed, Your Honor? Mr. Mayor, ang nangyari po dito sa pagkakabili or in the acquisition of the property covered by TCT No. 76220 is by way of negotiated sale, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Eventually, iyan po ang nangyari. Hindi na po umabot doon sa expropriation. Mr. Samonte Jr. Expropriation. Hindi po expropriation ang nangyari, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, by way of negotiated sale? Mr. Atienza. Dahil iyong kung expropriation dapat, eh, sinampahan namin ng kaso. Mr. Samonte Jr. Opo. Hindi na po umabot doon? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po umabot doon. Mr. Samonte Jr. However, ang ginamit ninyo pong basehan ng inyong karapatan na pumasok sa transakyon bilang alkalde ng Maynila ay ito rin pong 7975, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Ay alam po ninyo Mr. Samonte Jr. Sagutin lang po sana, pakisuyo po. Mr. Atienza. Ang sagot po diyan, pagka mayroon po kayong lupang tina-target for public use at gagamitin ninyo yong power of eminent domain, gagawa kayo ng expropriation measure. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, pero ang nangyari po rito hindi expropriation, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Hindi na po umabot sa korte. Mr. Samonte Jr. Kaya nga po. Just the same, you made use of or you relied on the provisions of Expropriation Ordinance No. 7975, according to you for expediency purposes? Mr. Atienza. To get the parties to respond, yes. Mr. Samonte Jr. Did it not occur to you that you should have asked your council, the City Council of Manila, to pass a specific and separate ordinance to correct the measure you were to rely upon because 7975 speaks of expropriation and you ended up. Mr. De los Angeles. Misleading, Your Honor. Also speculative. May answer.
The Presiding Officer.
Mr. Atienza. Sa tingin ko po ang City Council ay tumugon na substantially. They gave me a shotgun blast. Binigay na nila iyong lahat ng available parcels of land in the area. Nagbigay
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na po sila ng authority to appropriate certain sums of money, kaya hindi na po ako bumalik at tinuloy ko po na iyong bisa nuong kanilang ordinansa. Mr. Samonte Jr. At sang-ayon nga po kay Kagalang-galang Senator Lacson, tungkol naman doon sa isang ordinansa, hindi rin ho ba pumasok sa isip ninyo na dapat ay humingi kayo ng separatespecific ordinance para maglagay ng pondo para dito sa negotiated sale kasi hindi naman po expropriation ang nangyari. Iyon hong 7976 ay budget ordinance for the general fund of the City of Manila. Hindi ho ba pumasok sa inyo na para areglado ang usapan at ang transaksyon dapat may separate ordinance para sa pondo at para sa property kasi wala rin pong ordinansa kayong pinagbabasehan na nagte-treat sa property belonging to Basa-Guidote. Iyon pong pinag-uusapan ninyo is. The Presiding Officer. What is the purpose of this line of questioning? You are questioning the source of power of the Mayor to buy the property or what is the relevance of this? Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor. Because the good mayor is saying that he derived his authority from these purported city ordinances. The Presiding Officer. To buy the property. Mr. Samonte Jr. To buy. But apparently. The Presiding Officer. And that you are saying, in effect, that the mayor was not authorized to buy the property? Mr. Samonte Jr. Not properly authorized, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Not properly authorized. But since the property was bought by the City of Manila which is relevant to the issue at hand, well, if he committed any infraction of his duties as a mayor, that is a separate issue, is not it? Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes. We are not concerning ourselves on that.
The Presiding Officer. With the possible legal responsibility of the Mayor with respect to the way he handled his power. Mr. Samonte Jr. We are just pointing out the infirmities and flaws of the transaction entered into, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. The Chair just wants to know the purpose of this line of questioning. Because we are using time of the Court on this issue and we are concentrating on this issue instead of relating the purchase to the present issue of impeachment. But anyway, you proceed. Senator Pangilinan. Mr. President. The Presiding Officer. The gentleman from Pampanga. Senator Pangilinan. Yes, Mr. President. If I may just add, Mr. President, because. Well, we are interested in the Basa-Guidote aspect of this transaction rather than the local governments participation in it and whether or not there are infractions. So, I share the concern of the Senate President that we seem to be moving towards another direction. The Presiding Officer. A collateral issue. Senator Pangilinan. Precisely, Mr. President.
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The Presiding Officer.
But anyway, we will give you all the leeway and
Mr. Samonte Jr. We will go to another point. The Presiding Officer. impeachment trial. Mr. De Los Angeles. show us the connection, the link of this particular issue with the Your Honor, may I just make a manifestation?
The Presiding Officer. Yes, please. Mr. De Los Angeles. If Your Honor, please, under the Local Government Code, when a local government authorizes expropriation, it is first required that the local executive or the chief executive of the city or municipality, should first try to negotiate a sale. And only if it fails should the local executive go through expropriation. And this is why an ordinance for expropriation implicitly includes the authority to negotiate, Your Honor, a sale. The Presiding Officer. Yes. But regardless of whether the acquisition is by expropriation or negotiation, the fact is, that a sale was concluded, payment was made by the City of Manila, and so this is now related to the problem of impeachment before this Court. So, proceed. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor, thank you. The Presiding Officer. Anyway, you can pursue your question and let us see how you will connect it. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor. We will now go to the Secretarys Certificate earlier identified by the Witness and marked in evidence by the Defense as Exhibit 230, Your Honor. Mr. Mayor, you said that in relation to your query as to the capacity or identity of the person you were dealing with, particularly Cristina Corona, you were shown a copy of this Secretarys Certificate. Is that correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. And you have observed that this is a February 1987 document? Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. I mean that is the date appearing as typed? Mr. Atienza. Doon sa certification, opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes. However, the notarization bears the date June 19, 1987. Is that correct? As being examined by our witness. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, you have observed that there is a disparity between the date of the instrument itself and the notarization between February and June of the same date. Have you observed that? Mr. Atienza. I did not take note of that anymore. But, I saw the certification and I took it in its face value. Mr. Samonte Jr. Okay, face value.
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And, you saw this in 2001, is that correct? Mr. Atienza. 2001, opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. When you were negotiating for the acquisition of the subject property, that is correct? Or a margin or difference of 14 years, so to speak? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Mr. Samonte Jr. Probably, by mathematical computation. Did it not occur to you that you should have asked Mrs. Corona for a more recent source of authority? Mr. De los Angeles. Speculative, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. I am just asking, if he knows, if he did, Your Honor. Mr. Atienza. It did not enter in my mind anymore because a certification is a certification. Mr. Samonte Jr. Were you showed an original copy of this Secretarys Certificate? Mr. Atienza. It was signed by a certain Asuncion Basa Roco and Sister Concepcion Basa. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes. But, of course, when you saw this Secretarys Certificate notarized in June 1987, you did not know personally who was Asuncion Basa Roco, you did not? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. You do not know her from heaven? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes. And you did not also personally know Sister Concepcion Basa? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko rin po kilala ang tao na iyan. Mr. Samonte Jr. But, even if you do not know the signatories in this Secretarys Certificate, you gave full faith in the veracity of this 14-year-old document? Mr. Atienza. At that point in time presented by Mrs. Corona in front of my own lawyers, I took it as.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, as a gospel truth, so to speak. Mr. Atienza. I took it as a valid legal document. Mr. Samonte Jr. Okay. You do not even know the notary public? Mr. De los Angeles. Irrelevant, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. The Chair would like to clarify. Who is Asuncion Roco? Is she related to Cristina Roco Corona? Mr. Atienza. I understand they are all part of the Board of Directors of their corporation. The Presiding Officer. What was the capitalization of the corporation?
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Mr. Atienza. Wala pong nakalagay dito.
The Presiding Officer. Who were the other members of the Board? Mr. Atienza. My legal officer would probably in a better position to answer that because hindi ko na po binusisi ito. The Presiding Officer. Who was the president of the corporation? Mr. Atienza. Lumalabas po dito basta I, Asuncion.... The Presiding Officer. ...Was Mrs. Corona the president of the corporation? Mr. Atienza. Siya po ang binigyan ng authority: RESOLVED, that Cristina Corona shall execute, sign, and deliver such papers/documents or other writings.... The Presiding Officer. What was her position other than a representative of the corporation in that certification? Was she holding any position in the corporation? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam iyon, eh. The Presiding Officer. Continue, Counsel. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you very much, Your Honor. So, you gave full faith and relied on this document even if you do not know the signatories or anybody signing this document? Mr. De los Angeles. Already answered, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. So be it, Your Honor. Now, as part of your due diligence in this P34-million transaction involving a strategically located property, can you read for us, Mr. Mayor, the first authority given to Cristina Corona under paragraph 1...? Mr. Atienza. I, Asuncion Basa Roco, Corporate Secretary of Basa-Guidote Enterprises, a corporation duly organized and licensed to do business under Philippine laws, with office address at 903 Lepanto Street, Sampaloc, Manila, do hereby certify that, during the special meeting of the Board of Directors held on February 1987 at its above-mentioned office address, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: RESOLVED, that the corporation appoint Cristina Corona as its exclusive agent to negotiate, sell, and/or dispose the property, together with the improvements thereon, located at Bustillos Street, Sampaloc, Metro Manila, covered by TCT Nos. 76220 and 33889 of the Registry of Deeds of Manila; Mr. Samonte Jr. Second, please. Mr. Atienza. RESOLVED, Further, that Cristina Corona shall execute, sign, and deliver such papers, documents or other writings of whatever nature or kind as may be necessary for the sale, transfer, and disposition of the above-mentioned property, together with the improvements thereon. Mr. Samonte Jr. And lastly, the third paragraph.. Mr. Atienza. RESOLVED, Finally, that the corporation shall pay Cristina Corona a commission
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in the sum equivalent to five percent of the total purchase value of the aforedescribed property, together with the improvements thereon. In witness thereof, set my hand unto this.... Asuncion Basa Roco. The Presiding Officer. In other words, Cristina Corona was an agent of the corporation. Mr. Atienza. Turning out as the only authorized person to talk to. The Presiding Officer. Yes, agent to sell. Mr. Atienza. Agent to sell, yes, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. And that is so provided for under the first paragraph that you read that she is appointed as the exclusive agent of the corporation to negotiate, sell, and/or dispose the property. Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, just to be the exclusive agent, that is correct, as stated here. Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ang nilalaman. Mr. Cuevas. The best evidence is the document, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. The second paragraph, as you read it, it empowers or authorizesthis Secretarys Certificate authorizes or empowers Cristina R. Corona to execute, sign, and deliver such papers/documents and other writings, like maybe titles, Deed of Sale, tax declaration, as you earlier stated. That is correct? Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Mr. Samonte Jr. Just to deliver documents. That is correct? As stated here. Mr. Atienza. As stated. Mr. Samonte Jr. And, lastly, the authority given isactually this is not an authority but a privilege, Your Honorthat Cristina R. Corona shall be entitled to receive a five (5) percent commission on the total purchased price, as stated here? Mr. Atienza. Iyan po ang niloloob. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, in this Secretarys Certificate, can you tell this Honorable Court in relation to the Deed of Absolute Sale that was later on executed on March 26, 2001, if there is anything here in this particular Secretarys Certificate that authorizes Cristina to receive in her behalf the check or the payment for the transaction? Mr. De los Angeles. Objection, Your Honor, that is misleading. The Presiding Officer. Why? Mr. Samonte Jr. I am asking, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Why? Mr. De los Angeles. It is misleading because the question is, to authorize, to receive in her own behalfthat is not the point. Here, she was supposed to sell or execute. What is stated here, Your
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Honor, is that the corporation appoints Cristina Corona as its exclusive agent to negotiate, sell, and/ or dispose the property and therefore that includes the authority to receive payment Mr. Samonte Jr. That is a conclusion. Mr. De los Angeles. -not for herself but for the corporation, Your Honor. That is why I said it is misleading. Mr. Samonte Jr. I submit, Your Honor. My question is very specific: If there is anything here The Presiding Officer. Let the Witness answer. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. Atienza. Wala pong nakalagay diyan na personal po niyang tatanggapin. Mr. Samonte Jr. None. None. The Presiding Officer. Nakalagay ba diyan na puwede siyang pumirma ng kontrata? Mr. Atienza. Ito po, eh, malinaw po naman iyon, eh. Resolved that Cristina Corona shall execute, sign and deliver such papers, documents or other writings of whatever nature and/or kind as may be necessary for the sale, transfer and disposition of the abovementioned property together with the improvements thereon. The Presiding Officer. Well, anyway, that is a legal question whether that is a proper authorization. This is a real estate property being sold and there are certain documentary requirements for either disposition or acquisition of real estate property. That is a legal question that was discussed by the two Panels at the present time. Proceed with your cross-examination. Mr. Samonte Jr. Mr. Mayor, when you executed the subject Deed of Absolute Sale in March 2001, were you made aware of the fact that there was already an internal squabble, an infighting between the owners and members of Basa-Guidote, just if you were informed? Mr. De los Angeles. Irrelevant, no basis. Mr. Atienza. Wala po kaming alam doon. Mr. Samonte Jr. All right. Now, I am showing you again this Exhibit 238, the very check that was paid for by the City Government of Manila in the amount of P34,703,800, can you read for us the payee stated here? Mr. Atienza. Ito po malinaw dito, o. Pay to Cristina Corona ITF In Trust For Basa-Guidote Enterprises Incorporated. Ito po ay tseke para sa Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc., nakalagay po iyong pangalan ng aming ka-negosasyon at representante po noong korporasyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. And again, calling your attention to The Presiding Officer. Just a clarification. Who was the seller in the Deed of Sale? Mr. Samonte Jr. I am about to go to that, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. In the Deed of Sale, who was selling the property? Mr. Atienza. Basa-Guidote Enterprises, a private corporation
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The Presiding Officer. Why did the City of Manila pay the money to Cristina Corona instead of Basa Enterprises? Mr. Atienza. Eh, representative po siya, eh. Eh. Iyon po naman eh, sa security rin po nuong transaction at iyong tseke. Somebody has to be responsible. We do not know Basa-Guidote Enterprises kung sino po iyan. Ang representante po na kausap namin, na aming maaaring gawing managot doon sa tsekeng iyon ay si Cristina Corona. Kaya iyon po naman ay malinaw. Iyong tseke ay para sa korporasyon, in trust for such corporation. The Presiding Officer. Ang korporasyon, Mayor, ay mayroon kuwan iyan stockholders, may board of directors, may officers, presidente, vice president, treasurer, corporate secretary. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Dahil po dito sa transaksiyong ito, siya lang po naman ang aming nakausap, and as enunciated by the authority presented to us as contained in the Deed of Sale, duly authorized for the purpose by Board Resolution and Secretarys Certificate dated June 19, 1987, copy of which is attached as Annex A. The Presiding Officer. Anyway, continue with your cross. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you again, Your Honor. As you read it, you made mention of a Board Resolution and Secretarys Certificate dated June 19, 1987. As part of due diligence, Mr. Mayor, did you ask for a copy of the purported Board Resolution mentioned in this Deed of Absolute Sale? Mr. Atienza. Ito na po iyong Board Resolution contained in the Certificate of the Secretary. Mr. Samonte Jr. No, Mr. Mayor, Board Resolution and Secretarys Certificate are two different documents. Yes, there is the Secretarys Certificate, but my question is: As mentioned in the Deed of Absolute Sale, did you not ask for a copy of the Board Resolution mentioned here? Mr. Cuevas. At this point, Your Honor, I think all these questions are already immaterial and irrelevant. First the subject.... The Presiding Officer. No, no, he is under cross. Let him answer. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you, Your Honor. Do you understand that these are two different documents? Mr. Atienza. To answer that, I am sure when our City Legal Office prepared the draft Deed of Sale, lahat po iyan ay pinag-usapan nila. I presumed that. Mr. Samonte Jr. But, of course, you are the very signatory in this contract. Mr. Atienza. Of course. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, I assume that you must have exercised due diligence. Mr. Atienza. Alam ninyo, pag-prepare ng kontrata, pagpirma ng mayor ng kontrata, everyday, you are signing documents as high as this, hindi po naman mabusisi lahat iyang mga requirements. That is why we have 26,000 employees. Mr. Samonte Jr. As correctly pointed out by our President, the seller in this Deed of Absolute Sale is Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc., not Cristina Corona. Now, did it not occur to your mind that considering that the very seller is Basa-Guidote, which is a corporation as stated here, the check that
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you issued and all the supporting vouchers should be named under Basa-Guidote even without in trust for? Did it not occur to you that that is the proper process? Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ang ginawa namin Basa-Guidote Enterprises in trust with somebody. E kung sino ang kumulekta po noong tseke eh ang kausap namin ay certain Mrs. Corona, mayroong certification of her authority, mahirap po namang ilagay namin doon basta iyon lamang korporasyon. Eh kung saan po mapunta iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. Are you telling us that without that in trust for, you cannot be secured with the check? Mr. Atienza. I do not think we can be secured. Mr. Samonte Jr. Oh. Anyway, I leave it to the appreciation of the honorable Court, Your Honor. So you do not have any other authority from Basa-Guidote to empower, to authorize Cristina Corona to receive the payment by way of this check in her name or in trust for Basa-Guidote. Mr. Cuevas. Admitted, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. Admitted. Thank you. Now, in the Deed of Absolute Sale, there are certain terms and conditions mentioned under page 3 thereof. And may I ask you to go over said page again and pay attention to the Terms and Conditions 1 to 6, appearing on pages 3 and 4, Your Honor. Mr. Cuevas. At this juncture, Your Honor, and with the kind indulgence of the honorable Court, I think there is no question as to the transaction being referred to in the examination of the Witness. There is a sale of two (2) parcels of land. The amount agreed upon by the parties had been paid to the owner, Your Honor, received in trust by the representative and the public market for which the property had been appropriated had already been built. So the transaction is a long consummated transaction. The Presiding Officer. What is the purpose of the question, Counsel? Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, the Defense presented our good Mayor to prove the transaction with the.... The Presiding Officer. What is your purpose in asking that specific question? Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, to show if there was compliance with the terms and conditions of this agreement. The Presiding Officer. May answer. Mr. Cuevas. May we request for a reconsideration, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Why? Mr. Cuevas. The terms and conditions do not anymore apply because the transaction had long been consummated, Your Honor. Why did.... Mr. Samonte Jr. We are showing the infirmities, Your Honor, the flaws attendant to.
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Mr. Cuevas. Yes. But if there are infirmities, this is not the province or the forum for this. If there was liability on the part of the Mayor, Your Honor, if the Mayor did not comply with any obligation, then there may be a litigation. The Presiding Officer. What was the purpose of your question again? Mr. Samonte Jr. We will show the infirmities of this particular transaction, Your Honor, which our good Mayor is a participant. The Presiding Officer. All right. May answer. Let us hear the answer of the Mayor. Mr. Samonte Jr. Please go over this.... Mr. Atienza. Ano po iyong pinapagawa ninyo? Mr. Samonte Jr. Please readgo over the six terms and conditions. Mr. Atienza. I have gone over it. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, under paragraph 1, I think we will be in agreement to say that there was payment of the amount stated therein which is P34,700,800.00, is that correct? Mr. Atienza. Shall pay. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, you paid for. So, this amount was paid? Mr. Atienza. Nabayaran po. Mr. Samonte Jr. And that is by virtue of the check we earlier mentioned about? Being the Mayor, would you say, Mr. Mayor, thatwhat kind of check is this? Is this an ordinary check, managers check, or cashiers check? Mr. Atienza. Official check. Mr. Samonte Jr. Not a managers check? Mr. Atienza. It is the check of the City Government that I saw millions of times. Mr. Samonte Jr. But will you agree with me that this is neither a cashier nor a managers check? Mr. Atienza. It is an official check that the City Government issued. The Presiding Officer. Already answered. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, you will have to agree with me, Mr. Mayor, that under paragraph 1, the provision is for the City Government of Manila to issue a cashiers check or managers check? Mr. Cuevas. Supposing, assuming, Your Honor, that.... Mr. Samonte Jr. No, I am just trying to test the.... The Presiding Officer. Let the Witness answer. They are just confirming whether that is the provision of the contract. I do not see any.... Mr. Cuevas. No, Your Honor. With the kind permission of the honorable Court. The Presiding Officer. Yes.
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Mr. Cuevas. The way the question appeared to us, there is apparently no necessity in determining what is the nature of the check. There was payment and the payment was in the form of a check, Your Honor, whether it is managers, cashiers.... The Presiding Officer. Actually, the understanding of the Chair, Mr. Counsel, is that this cross-examination is testing the credence of the testimony of the Mayor. Mr. Cuevas. But they do not even question, Your Honor, if the Court will remember, the payment of P34 million. The Presiding Officer. They are under cross. We cannot control the way he crosses the Witness. Mr. Cuevas. No, Iall right, subject to.... Mr. Atienza. What was the question? The Presiding Officer. Please answer, Mayor. Mr. Samonte Jr. The provision, the very provision of paragraph 1 of the terms and conditions is for the issuance of a cashiers check or managers check. Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ang nakasulat. Mr. Samonte Jr. So, there is no compliance with respect to the kind of check that should be issued? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po ako.... Mr. Samonte Jr. Just say yes or no, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Cuevas. There is a.... The Presiding Officer. Well, anyway, the Mayor has already answered that they paid the consideration with the check of the City of Manila. And I suppose, it is up to the buyer to accept the check or to insist on a cashiers check or a managers check. Mr. Cuevas. My point is this, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Anyway, already answered. The Mayor has already answered. Another question. Mr. Samonte Jr. Now, you made mention ofparagraph 2 thereof mentions of the simultaneous delivery or surrender of the owners duplicate copy of the subject property No. 76220. Do you have any proof to show that indeed there was compliance? Mr. Atienza. Nakita ko po. Mr. Samonte Jr. As far as you know, Mr. Mayor? Mr. Atienza. Nakita ko po iyong titulo noong final stages. The Presiding Officer. Already answered. Mr. Samonte Jr. But ahokay. How about under paragraph 3, do you know if there was proper segregation of the two lots as you have described earlier? Mr. Atienza. Alam ninyo, may proseso po yon. That is exactly....
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Mr. Samonte Jr. My question is, do you know of any compliance? The Presiding Officer. Of what? Compliance of? Mr. Samonte Jr. As to the segregation of the two lots embodied in the same title, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. You mean subdivision. Mr. Samonte Jr. As provided for, Your Honor. Yes. The subdivision, Your Honor, yes. The Presiding Officer. Subdivision of the land covered by this single title. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. All right. Mr. Samonte Jr. Just to know if there is....If he knows, Your Honor, if there is compliance. The Presiding Officer. Mayor, just answer if you know or not. Mr. Atienza. Ang pagkakaalam ko ay dapat ginawa na iyon. Mr. Samonte Jr. Would you be surprised to know that there is no compliance here? Mr. Cuevas. No basis. Mr. Samonte Jr. Anyway, I withdraw that, Your Honor. May I ask for a one-minute suspension, Your honor. I will confer with my.... The Presiding Officer. One-minute suspension. The trial was suspended at 5:31 p.m. At 5:31 p.m., the trial was resumed. The Presiding Officer. Trial resumed. The gentleman from Iloilo. Senator Drilon. We take advantage of the request of the Prosecution for a minute-suspension just to ask some clarificatory questions, so that we do not have to delay this. Mr. Mayor, you would agree with me that as head of the local government unit, you are expected to exercise extraordinary diligence in the handling of public funds. Mr. Atienza. Yes, Your Honor. Senator Drilon. Now, in this particular case, it involves over P37,703,800. I am sorry, P34,705,890.00 and, therefore, extraordinary diligence and.... Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon. Senator Drilon. Now, you mentioned earlier: Hindi ko na binusisi itong Deed of Absolute Sale, sinabi mo kanina. Mr. Atienza. Binasa ko po, pero hindi ko na po binusisi. Senator Drilon. Hindi mo na binusisi itong Deed of Sale. Hindi mo na rin binusisi yung Secretarys Affidavit na kung saan nakalagay yung alleged authority ni Mrs. Corona.
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Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ay binusisi nung aming abogado.
Senator Drilon. Ah, binusisi ng inyong abogado. Dahilan po sa hindi mo binusisi ang kontrata, hindi ka na rin humingi ng kopya ng Board Resolution na nakabanggit doon sa Secretarys Certificate? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po galing sa akin. I was assuming that the City Legal Department attended to all of these. Senator Drilon. Yes, but you yourself did not ask. Mr. Atienza. Hindi na po. Senator Drilon. All right. Hindi mo rin tinanong o wala ka rin alam na nagtanong kung ito bang ari-ariang ito ay ito po ba ay buong ari-arian ng BGEI, if this is all or substantially all of the assets of BGEI? Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ay, we assumed that because that was the result of the Registrys answer to our query on the title sa palagay ko. Senator Drilon. So, you assume that this property is the only property, or if not substantially all of the property. Mr. Atienza. Hindi po naman. Marami po silang properties sa Maynila. Senator Drilon. I see, okay. Ngunit hindi po kayo humingi ng Stockholders Resolution dito na nag-o-authorize ng pagbenta nitong ari-ariang ito? Mr. Atienza. Gaya ng sinabi ko po ay dumaan po iyan sa masusing pagsusuri ng City Legal Department. So I presumed that all of these were taken care of. Senator Drilon. Kaya hindi mo na binusisi. Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko na po inusisa. Senator Drilon. Ngayon, dahilan po sa dami mong tinitingnan na dokumento, hindi mo na rin tsinek (check) sa SEC kung itong korporasyong ito ay buhay pa? Mr. Atienza. At that point in time.... Senator Drilon. No, tinatanong lang kita, hindi mo tsinek (check)? Mr. Atienza. At this point in time, ako mismo personal hindi ko po tinanong. Senator Drilon. Tinanong mo ba yung mga abogado mo kung tsinek (check) nila sa SEC? Mr. Atienza. Ang sabi po ng aming abogado ay sila po yung hinahanap naming may-ari. Senator Drilon. Hindi, iyong pagpunta sa SEC para tingnan kung buhay pa itong korporasyong ito, hindi po ginawa iyan ng inyong mga abogado sa pagkaalam mo, hindi mo rin ginawa? Mr. Atienza. Alam ko po siguro ginawa nila pero hindi ko po alam. Senator Drilon. Ah, hindi mo alam. Mr. Atienza. ...wala silang pagkontra kaya tuloy po iyong aming negosasyon.
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Senator Drilon. Napansin mo naman siguro na iyong Secretarys Affidavit ni Asuncion Roco ay may petsang June 19, 1987. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Senator Drilon. At itong transaksiyong ito ay taon 2001 na, hindi po ba? Ang Deed of Sale. Mr. Atienza. Tama po. Senator Drilon. Labing-apat na taong nakaraan doon po sa Secretarys Certificate na ang sinasabi may kapangyarihan si Cristina Roco na magbenta nitong loteng ito? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko na po binigyan din ng pansin yung petsa noong panahon dahil wala po namang limitasyon iyong authority. Wala namang nakalagay doon na this is only good for one year. Senator Drilon. Opo. At hindi po pumasok sa isipan nyo na baka po napalitan na iyong korporasyon, ang Board of Directors, baka ni-revoke iyong authority, baka hindi na sidahil sa iba na po iyong korporasyon, ang Board of Directors, hindi na authorized si Ginang Roco. Hindi ninyo po ginawa iyon? Mr. Atienza. Hindi pumasok sa isip ko na kailangang kwestiyunin dahil wala po naman kumikwestiyon. Senator Drilon. Oo. Ngayon, ang vendor po dito ang nagbenta ay Basa-Guidote Enterprises, hindi po ba? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Senator Drilon. At sa pagkaalam po ninyo, ang dapat bayaran iyung nagbenta ng ari-arian? Mr. Atienza. Tama po iyon. Senator Drilon. Opo. Ngunit dito, ang tseke ay ibinigay kay Cristina Corona in trust for BasaGuidote Enterprises. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Senator Drilon. Bakit po ginawa iyon ulit? Mr. Atienza. Eh, siya po ang aming ka-negosasyon, at siya po ang dapat managot doon sa kahahantungan ng tseke. Senator Drilon. Hindi po ba ang dapat managot ay ang korporasyon? Mr. Atienza. Iyon nga po korporasyon, but meron po kamingiyon po, para sa akin po, added security measure to make sure that the transaction ends up in the right place. Senator Drilon. Ah, added security sa isip ninyo? Hindi nyo po naisip na itong tsekeng ito na in trust for Basa-Guidote ay dineposito ni Mrs. Corona sa kaniyang account? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam iyon. Senator Drilon. Ah, hindi ninyo alam. Nakita nyo po ba ang tseke? Hindi po ba hawakhawak ninyo ang tseke kanina?
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Mr. Atienza. Iyong tseke po na.... Senator Drilon. Iyong tseke na pinagbayad.... Mr. Atienza. Na inisyu namin? Iyon po nakita ko.
Senator Drilon. Opo. Pakitingnan mo nga ulit. Can the Secretariat please give a copy of the check? I think it was marked in evidence. Nandiyan na po, Ginoong Witness, ang tseke sa tabi ninyo po. Iyong likod po ba ng tseke ay nakikita diyan sa exhibit na iyan? Mr. Atienza. Nandito po. Senator Drilon. Ah, nandiyan. Hindi po ba sa likod eh nakalagay for deposit to Account No. 001512-0029-74, tapos may nakalagdang pirmang Cristina R. Corona. Tama po ba iyan? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po nakikita iyong sinasabi ninyo, eh. Senator Drilon. Ganoon po ba? Pakikita mo nga sa liwanag.... Mr. Atienza. Eto po. For deposit. Senator Drilon. Yes, For deposit, iyan. Pakibasa nga po. Mr. Atienza. Account No. 001512002974 Cristina R. Corona. Senator Drilon. At dahilan po sa pag-iingat ninyo, linagay ninyo sa pangalan ni Cristina Corona in trust for Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc.? Ngunit ito po ay dahilan po dito, nagkaroon ng pagkakataon para maideposito sa pangalan ni Cristina Corona. Mr. Atienza. Ganoon po ang nangyari. Senator Drilon. Hindi po naideposito doon po sa Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam iyon. Senator Drilon. Hindi. Tinitingnan mo. Binasa mo kanina kung saan na idineposito. Mr. Atienza. Hindi. Hindi ko po alam kung iyon ang deposito nila, iyan ang korporasyon. Ang alam ko po siya ang authorized, eh. Senator Drilon. Opo. Pero doon po diniposito sa account na ito at sa ilalim mayroong Cristina R. Corona, wala naman pong nakalagay dito na Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. Tama po ba? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko na po alam iyon. Senator Drilon. Ay, hindi, binasa mo kanina eh. Mr. Atienza. Hindi. Hindi ko na po alam kung ano ang nangyari doon sa deposito ng tseke na naka-assign doon sa korporasyon. At that point in time, I had no....Ngayon alam ko na po, pero hindi ko alam dati. Senator Drilon. At that time, hindi mo alam, pero ngayon alam mo na. Mr. Atienza. Iyon po ang napapaloob doon sa....
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Senator Drilon. Ngayon, doon po sa Deed of Sale, kung titingnan po ninyo iyong Deed of Sale, ang nakalagay doon sa paragraph 4 pakibigay lang sa testigo iyong Deed of Sale Mr. Witness? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Senator Drilon. On page 3, paragraph 4, dito po nakalagay: Capital gains tax which shall be for the account of Basa-Guidote. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Senator Drilon. Ibig sabihin, iyong capital gains ang dapat magbayad iyong Basa-Guidote. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Senator Drilon. Iyong P34,703,800 iyan po ay kasama ang capital gains doon. Mr. Atienza. Sila po ang mananagot doon. Senator Drilon. Dapat. Opo. Iyan po ang nakalagay sa kontrata. Mr. Atienza. Iyan po ang nakalagay. Senator Drilon. Alam po ba ninyo na hanggang ngayon ang titulo ay nasa Basa-Guidote Enterprises pa? Alam po ninyo o hindi? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko po alam. Senator Drilon. Ah, hindi mo pa alam. Hindi mo pa alam na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa po bayad ang capital gains tax. Mr. Atienza. Again, I have no way of knowing. Senator Drilon. Yes, yes, you have no way of knowing. You have no way of knowing that up to now the title is still in the name of Basa-Guidote, and the reason is, the capital gains tax have not been paid. You would not know that. Mr. Atienza. I would not know that. Senator Drilon. And also, the value-added tax, you would not know, that it has not been paid. You would not know that, Mr. Witness? Mr. Atienza. Hindi ko na po alam iyon. Senator Drilon. All right. Now, Mr. Witness, you earlier cited the Notice of Suspension. Alam po ninyo sa Notice of Suspension isa po sa mga pinoint out nuong Commission on Audit ay kulang po ang dokumento doon sa bentahan, specifically iyong sinasabi: recommendation of the appraisal committee as to the reasonableness of the price was not submitted. Puwede po bang... Mr. Atienza. Every year, at the end of the year, the Commission on Auditlocalsubmits to the chief executive a list of questioned transactions and notices of suspension are given, and it is presumed by the local chief executive that the pointed out deficiencies are immediately complied with and responded to by the offices concerned, in this particular transaction, the notice of the Mayor, the assessor, accountant, treasurer, secretary, legal officer are called. And as a regular rule, as soon as the submitted documents are given in, the Notice of Suspension is lifted because, otherwise, every year, the subject matters questioned, transactions lifted or suspension,
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will appear every year. Kaya kami po ay ino-audit ng national COA at the end of each year. And all of this should normally appear and if, indeed, not satisfied with the explanations of the executive, the legislative and the administration, they will make it mature to something else. Senator Drilon. Notice of Disallowance. Mr. Atienza. Disallowance. Pero hindi po nangyari iyon, eh. So, ang presumption ng inyong lingkod ay nasagot na lahat iyan because maraming kini-question, sinasagot po dapat iyan at ipinaliliwanag. Ang malamang na sinabi po ng tanggapan ko, lalo na po roon sa punto ng Committee on Appraisal, na ang aming appraisal for that particular transaction was very, very accurate considering that we sold a property of the government for P155 million and paid for by the LRTA, and here we are buying another parcel of land for P34 million for the same purpose of the other one. Senator Drilon. Was that recommendation in writing? The Presiding Officer. The gentleman from Iloilo has one minute to.... Senator Drilon. Yes. Was that recommendation in writing? Mr. Atienza. Yes, I am sure the recommendation was done in writing. Because, otherwise, this item would have appeared in 2003, 2004. It would have bothered me and I would have instructed my people to give more attention to that particular item. Senator Drilon. Because I have information that up to this point there is no appraisal, there is no recommendation on the reasonableness of the price, for which reason, the transaction, the finding may have ripened into a Notice of Disallowance. But in any case, yes, Mr. President, I will now stop at this point, because I believe that through the answers of the Witness, there was some degree of lack of due diligence and extra-ordinary diligence in handling funds for the people of Manila. Thank you, Mr. President. The Presiding Officer. All right. Mr. Cuevas. If Your Honor, please. The Presiding Officer. Counsel for the Prosecution? Mr. Cuevas. If Your Honor please. The Presiding Officer. Yes. Mr. Cuevas. May I have even only one minute, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. You have two minutes. Mr. Cuevas. Thank you, Your Honor. In connection with the nonpayment of the capital gain tax, Your Honor, we have in our possession a letter, BIR ruling, Your Honor, signed by Mr. Edmundo P. Guevarra, Deputy Commissioner for Legal Inspection Group which consists of two pages, dated May 22, 2001, which states that no capital gains tax may be levied on the excess of just compensation
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Mr. Samonte Jr. I object, Your Honor, Mr. Cuevas. and I will ask that this be marked as Exhibit 2.... Mr. Samonte Jr. because that is presenting evidence by manifestation, Your Honor, with due respect. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, but we may not be conversant with you. We cannot object to the manifestation. The Presiding Officer. What is the basis of your objection? Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, with due respect to Justice Cuevas, he is volunteering this information regarding the exemption without the benefit of proper question. Mr. Cuevas. Yes. We will do that, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. There was a question from the Court. Mr. Samonte Jr. And I am still on cross, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. There was a question from the Court and the Counsel for the Defense.... Mr. Samonte Jr. I yield, Your Honor. I submit. The Presiding Officer. Is this not also subject to doc stamp? The transaction? Mr. Cuevas. The transaction, Your Honor? I think so, but we have not gone deeper into that aspect because to us, as we have previously or earlier manifested, Your Honor, the transaction had been consummated, the properties have been delivered to the City of Manila, they constructed already the public market there. If they are not interested anymore, we are willing to accept back the property. The Presiding Officer. That is correct. The construction is finished. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor, it is already consummatum est. The Presiding Officer. It is just a question of relating this to the impeachment case before us. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. Thank you. The Presiding Officer. So, Counsel, continue with your cross. Mr. Samonte Jr. Your Honor, may we just mark in evidence additionally as appearing in the dorsal portion of that subject check marked Exhibit 238 for the Defense and JJJJJJJJJJJ for the Prosecution. We have marked earlier the notation appearing at the back thereof. And, as pointed out by Senator Drilon, the notation For Deposit to Account Number so and so, signed by R. Corona, we would like to request that the stampmark reading, Land Bank Malacaang Branch, Teller No. 2 be further marked in evidence for the Prosecution as Exhibit JJJJJJJJJJJ-3, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Mark it accordingly for the Prosecution. Mr. Cuevas. You were saying something when we marked our evidence pursuant to our manifestation, but that has not yet been testified to by the Witness. The Presiding Officer. Any further question from the Prosecution? Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor. Much as we want to proceed, but as we have earlier
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manifested, because of the other documents presented through our good Mayor, we have to examine them first and we need time to study. So, we will have to ask for continuance, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Of your cross? Mr. Samonte Jr. Of the cross, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. What is the pleasure of the Defense? Mr. Cuevas. We submit to the discretion of the honorable Court, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. All right, granted. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you very much, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. The Witness is discharged in the meantime, and we will notify him regarding the next hearing of this case. Counsel for the Defense, do you have any.... Mr. Cuevas. If your Honor please, if it will not be asking too much, may we be informed what those documents are so that we can make them available. We can even have them xerox-copied and furnish them with copies thereof. The Presiding Officer. Then the Prosecution will state for the record the documents that you want to have and examined. Mr. Cuevas. We are willing to furnish them. Mr. Samonte Jr. We have even observed that in the other documents, like the disbursement voucher, there are some entries therein which could not be read. We were really taken by surprise with these documents. So we really have to have time, Your Honor, and maybe confer with them. Mr. Cuevas. I hope I am not misunderstood. We are not objecting to your request. We are very much willing to accede. But in order to do some assistance to you, we were manifesting to the Court that we are willing to have these documents xerox copied then furnish you with copies. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you for that, Justice Cuevas. Mr. Cuevas. I do not think there is anything wrong with that. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you, Justice. The Presiding Officer. All right. You may confer with the Defense to get the documents you want to examine. Mr. Samonte Jr. Yes, Your Honor. We will do that later on. Mr. Cuevas. Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. Samonte Jr. Thank you very much, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Is there anyone who would want to ask questions from the Witness? The gentle Lady from Antique, Malabon and the Philippines. Senator Legarda. Thank you, Mr. Presiding Officer, Mr. President.
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Just one very short question to the Defense lead counsel, Mr. President, the Hon. Justice Cuevas. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. Senator Legarda. Since we are adjourning today, March 22, and we will resume the impeachment trial on May 7the deadline for the submission or filing of the SALN is on April 30 many of our colleagues in the Impeachment Court would just like to know, will the Chief Justice amend his SALN come April 30? Mr. Cuevas. Frankly speaking, Your Honor, I have not yet conferred with him in connection with this matter. But if there is a necessity pursuant to law, we will ask him to do so. Senator Legarda. Yes, because we know that the law allows corrections Mr. Cuevas. Amendments, corrections. Senator Legarda. amendments to the SALN. Yes. Mr. Cuevas. You are right, Your Honor. Senator Legarda. And if there were inaccuracies or omissions borne out of the two months hearings here, perhaps lessons have been learned and corrections in the SALN would be in order. Mr. Cuevas. Yes.
Senator Legarda. So, I was wondering whether the lead Counsel would have any information, and whether the new SALN would be utilized or submitted by the Defense eventually. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. We will do that as clarified by Your Honor. If there is a necessity to do so, we will do so. But here is my point. There are quite a number of developments that took place in this case, Your Honor. For instance, as you will note, there were 45 titles before; it was reduced to so much until finally only five (5). And we stand on record that all those five (5) parcels of properties are already reflected. Senator Legarda. Reflected. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. Senator Legarda. Just to clarify. The 45 based on the LRA report minus three (3) of the namesake of the son-in-law, minus the cancelled titles, became 21 per Senator Rectos interpellation, minus the three (3) parking lots per Senator Rectos interpellation, minus the seven (7) of Mr. Vicente, and the others are members of the family who own it and therefore, five (5) are reflected in the SALN. Mr. Cuevas. That is correct, Your Honor. Senator Legarda. Okay. Just to summarize the two months work that we have done and we await the submission of the Chief Justices SALN. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Cuevas. Thank you, Your Honor, for the advice. The Presiding Officer. The gentleman from Cebu. Representative Tupas. Your Honor, may I just...
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The Presiding Officer. What is the pleasure of the Chief Prosecutor? Representative Tupas. We just want to respond very briefly to that point raised by the Defense Counsel. Just one sentence statement, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Please proceed. Representative Tupas. Yes, this is regarding the properties. It was mentioned by the lead Defense Counsel that from 45, it is down to five (5) properties. Mr. Cuevas. Yes. Representative Tupas. We take exception to that statement. And the position of the Prosecution is that when we submitted our offer of evidence, we submitted 21 properties and we stand by that.... The Presiding Officer. That was the stipulation about this property issue yesterday. Representative Tupas. Yes, that is why, Your Honor... The Presiding Officer. That is based on the record. Mr. Cuevas. There were stipulations entered into between the parties, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Yes. Mr. Cuevas. And they agreed to the cancellation or disregarding the other properties in the name of other persons, Your Honor. That is my computationthat there are only five (5). But if the evidence will show other properties, then we will meet that with our own evidence. It cannot be met by mere manifestation. The Presiding Officer. There were 45 in the beginning, then a reduction of seventeen (17) with one reservation, then 12 with four (4) reservations, then 16 left, plus five (5) reservations, 21. Representative Tupas. Yes. That is correct. We confirm that, Your Honor. Thank you. The Presiding Officer. That was the agreement yesterday. Mr. Cuevas. Okay, thank you, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. All right. So, the gentleman from Cebu. Senator Osmea. Thank you, Mr. President. We are just curious and would like to clarify, Mr. Mayor, how is the issuance of a check triggered in the Manila City Hall? I suppose it is the same as Cebu City Hall and all other cities. What triggers the issuance of a check? Mr. Atienza. What triggers? Senator Osmea. That is correct. Mr. Atienza. Iyong una, siguro iyong kontrata at tapos na-complied with, and then the process begins with the preparation of the check. Senator Osmea. But that goes through the city treasurer, goes through the city auditor, and goes through the accountant, Mr. Atienza. And budget officer.
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Senator Osmea. and who is the final Mr. Atienza. Signatory? Senator Osmea. signatory before it goes to the treasurer for the cutting of the check? Mr. Atienza. Dalawa po ang nakapirma sa tseke ng Maynilaiyong city treasurer and secretary to the mayor. Senator Osmea. Secretary to the Mayor. Mr. Atienza. Opo. Senator Osmea. So, ito pong tsekeng ito, sino po ang magdi-decide kung ang vendor ay Basa-Guidote Enterprises at ang ita-type sa tseke, Cristina Corona in trust for Basa-Guidote Enterprises? Mr. Atienza. Si City Treasurer na po iyon, sila ang final preparation. Senator Osmea. So, they are responsible in case the funds are mislaid Mr. Atienza. Covered by any check. Senator Osmea. or mispaid, hindi ba? Mr. Atienza. Opo. Senator Osmea. Okay. Normally po, pag na-prepare iyong voucher, di ba ina-approve iyan, pagkatapos tina-type out iyong check, gaano katagal ang proseso niyan, one week, two weeks? Mr. Atienza. We try our best to be efficient on this dahil lahat iyong mga nagnenegosyo sa Maynila, ayaw na ayaw ko pong nade-delay iyong payment. Senator Osmea. Yes. But you try to do and what you actually achieve are two different things. Normally, what is the time frame? Mr. Atienza. A couple of weeks, one month, iyan po ang processing time. Senator Osmea. Okay. Kapag na-issue na po iyong tseke, na-type out na, how long does it usually take for the vendor, the payee, to pick up the check? Mr. Atienza. pa ho sa.... Usually, basta natapos iyong tseke, iyong tatanggap ng tseke mabilis
Senator Osmea. Opo, pero sino ho ang nagno-notify? Mr. Atienza. Sila po siyempre ang nagpa-follow-up doon sa City Treasurers Office kung mayroon na po silang tseke. Senator Osmea. So, nag-i-standby doon? Mr. Atienza. Normally, mayroon silang mga liaison officer that keeps close observation of their problems. Senator Osmea. That will sit aside, sit around the place and wait for their check to be cut, day after day? Ganoon ho iyon?
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Mr. Atienza. Something like that.
Senator Osmea. Okay. Kasi, na-notice ho namin that the check was dated June 5, 2001 and it was deposited on June 5, 2001. So, noong ipinakita ko po ito sa mga kaibigan ko sa local government, ang sabi nila: You must have a VIP collecting this check for it to be cut, signed by two people, mula tatlong....There are three initials po dito: Signature verified, check approved, so tatlo iyon. Pero mga initials lamang po iyon, pagkatapos dalawang signaturesLiberty Toledo, City Treasurer; at Emmanuel Sison, Secretary to the Mayor. That normally will not take one day as you say. Ngunit, it was all signed, issued in one day and deposited on that very same day. So, it is not your fault. We are not blaming you, Mr. Mayor, but that is really efficiency of the first order. Mr. Atienza. Iyong pagka-cash po ng tseke o iyong pagdi-deposit po niyon, siyempre pagtanggap nila.... Senator Osmea. Tama po iyan pero tinatanong ko lamang kung gaano katagal ho kumuha ng three initials at dalawang signature. That will usually not be finished in one day kasi nakatambak ho iyan, hindi ba? I have seen this. I have worked in city hall before, my brother has been at city hall for several terms, and you yourself. And when they bring around a batch of checks for you to sign, I know it is about 12-inches high, and that is at a time, pagkatapos mo diyan, meron pa. So, tuwang-tuwa po ako na the efficiency of City Hall means that you can get three initials approval, check, signaturecity treasurer, secretary to the mayor issue a check, have the guy sign the receipt, go to the bank and deposit it all on the same day, June 5, 2001. Mr. Atienza. If there is anything we would like to pride ourselves with, talaga pong mabilis magbayad ang Maynila noong aming administrasyon. Talagang sobrang bilis, hindi po naiinip ang mga supplier at mga kontratista, sapagkat mahigpit na mahigpit po ako diyan. Kapag lahat ay okay na.... Senator Osmea. Hindi ho ito dineliber (deliver) pa sa Malacaang? Mr. Atienza. Hindi po naman siguro. Senator Osmea. Alam po ninyo, itong Landbank branch sa Malacaang, nasa loob ng Malacaang po iyan, hindi ba? Mr. Atienza. Uulitin ko po na hindi ko po alam. Senator Osmea. Sa Mabini Hall yata sila noon, ano? Mr. Atienza. Iyong insinuation na special treatment ang nakuha nitong mag-asawa o pamilya o korporasyon, I will totally flatly deny that. Ako po ay kontra-partido noon. Ako po ay nanindigan kay Pangulong Erap. Hindi po ako sumama sa EDSA 2. Ako po ang katangi-tangi siguro na nasa Malacaang at the last moments of the Erap Administration, in defense of the Constitution because I believe that what was happening was illegal. Kaya masama ho ang loob ko sa administrasyon noon. Hindi ko po sila tinatanggap. And it was a public knowledge that President Arroyo was worried about the City of Manila because the mayor was not in support of her administration. And many times, they even tried getting me into their fold and I refused because I thought it was an illegal government. Until and when the Supreme Court rendered a decision, doon ko lamang po tinanggap sila.
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Kaya kung mayroon pong special treatment or any special attention na ibibigay ko doon sa kumakatawan, doon sa kinaiinisan kong administrasyon, hindi po nangyari iyon. In fact, negative po ang dating sa akin. Senator Osmea. Bakit hindi mo pina-delay ito kung galit ka nga? Mr. Atienza. Eh hindi po. Iba naman po iyong transactioniyong transaksyong opisyal eh opisyal, iyong personal ay nanatili po ako sa piling ni Pangulong Erap. Senator Osmea. Ngunit noong panahong iyon, ano po ang posisyon ni Justice Corona? Was he not chief of staff of . Mr. Atienza. At that time, he was not chief of staff. As far as my knowledge is concerned. Senator Osmea. He was chief of staff of Malacaang? Mr. Atienza. At that time? When I first got to know them, they were Atty. and Mrs. Corona. And at that point of time, I definitely was not following up on his role. Senator Osmea. But the negotiations for this started in January? Mr. Atienza. No, it started in 1999. Senator Osmea. I see. So, yes, he was then outside of government and became chief of staff when Gloria Arroyo became president. Well, I wantoh, he was the chief of staff of Gloria Arroyo as vice president. Well, in any case, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. It is good to see you in good health. Mr. Atienza. For a good friend like the Senator, I am always happy. The Presiding Officer. The gentleman from Makati and Bicol. Senator Arroyo. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to be educated, for my edification. Supposing we grant, as the line of questioning of the Prosecution indicated, that there was irregularity in the sale between the Basas and the City of Manila, that procedures were not followed. In short, there was an irregularity. Now, can you please edify me, in what part of the Articles of Impeachment will that be relevant? Can anyone answer that, Public Prosecutors? The Presiding Officer. The Prosecution, can you answer the question of the gentleman from Makati and Bicol? Representative Tupas. Your Honor, may we ask Senator Arroyo to repeat the question please. Senator Arroyo. I have forgotten the question. Let me put it this way, to put it simply. Let us assume that the transaction between the City of Manila, headed by Mayor Atienza and the Basas or the Basa Corporation or whatever, had been attended with irregularities, that there was something wrong and we can attribute some fault or whatever.
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Now, can you educate me at least, so that I will be enlightened when I make a decision on the impeachment? Where do you connect it with Article II, Article III, Article VII? Where? How do you connect that? Representative Tupas. Your Honor, this would be in relation, on the part of the Prosecution, on Article II, SALN. Senator Arroyo. Namelycan you please Representative Tupas. Namelynow the Defense is introducing this as evidence, the P34.7 million check, paid for Cristina Corona in trust for Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. And the theory of the Prosecution is that it was misappropriated, misappropriated by Cristina Corona deposited in her personal account, and therefore, and if we follow the line of reasoning by the Defense, it ended up in the account of the Chief Justice. Therefore, it should have been included and declared in the SALN, so it would fall under Article II. Senator Arroyo. All right, fine. If that is your theory, because I do not think the Defense admits or rather contests the proposition that that 35how much was that 35? Representative Tupas. Thirty-four point seven. Senator Arroyo. All right, P34.7 million, which was money in trust held by Mrs. Corona was deposited in the account of Chief Justice Corona. Those are, more or less, the established facts. All right. Representative Tupas. Yes. Senator Arroyo. Now, what I want to be clarified is this. Assuming that, how do you connect the two, what is the connection with the accusation in Article II? You are not charging the ill-gotten wealth, you are not charging, what is this, other elements? Now, we are talking here in Article II of SALN. In other words, we are talking whether Corona, the Chief Justice, made an honest revelation of his assets and liabilities. So, with the interpellation of Mayor Atienza, what do we gather? Assuming all of that, how does that strengthen the position of the Prosecution? Representative Tupas. We were just testing the credibility, the credence of the testimony. But going back to that point. Senator Arroyo. No, no. Wait. Let us stop that, Niel. In other words, it has nothing to do with the substance of Article II. It is testing the credibility of the Witness. Representative Tupas. No, Your Honor. It has something to do with the substance of Article II because. Senator Arroyo. Namely? Representative Tupas. Namely, because the position of the Prosecution is that all assets should be declared. Senator Arroyo. Yes. Okay. Agreed. Representative Tupas. And that P34.7 million was deposited, misappropriated and deposited in the personal account of Ma. Cristina Corona.
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Senator Arroyo. Wait. Wait. Misappropriated by whom? Representative Tupas. By Mrs. Corona. Senator Arroyo. All right. Mrs. Corona misappropriated but does it appear in the SALN? Representative Tupas. That is the reason why we are disputing it, Your Honor, because the theory of the Prosecution is, that all of these should have been declared in the SALN and it has never been declared. Senator Arroyo. The way I see it, if it was entered in the SALN then irregular, stolen or whatever, that is not at issue. What is at issue is whether he entered the amount in the SALN. That is the question. I am not questioning anything. I want to be educated because we are about to arrive at a moment of truth. We will recess and we can think about it. I want to simplify the issues at least as far as I am concerned. Representative Tupas. With respect to that, probably we can submit a memorandum. Senator Arroyo. No, no, no. It is very difficult to submit a memorandum because weall I want to know is that we spent three hours here conducting the direct and cross-examination of Mayor Atienza about the irregularities. But what is undisputed is that P34.7 million was paid by the City of Manila, the P34.7 was paid to Mrs. Corona, as supposedly attorney-in-fact or whatever, then that money was deposited in the account of Chief Justice Corona. Justice Cuevas, do you confirm that that is how it happened? Mr. Cuevas. This money, Your Honor, does not belong to even Mrs. Corona herself because as the check will show, this is for Basa-Guidote, Your Honor, and received by Mrs. Corona only in trust, Your Honor. So, if it is received by her in trust, there is nothing that she can transfer to her husband, Your Honor. Senator Arroyo. No, I am not talking about transfer to the husband. Mr. Cuevas. Yes. Senator Arroyo. But I am only asking: Was it deposited in the account of Chief Justice Corona? Mr. Cuevas. There is no evidence to that effect, Your Honor, please. Senator Arroyo. All right. If there is no evidence to that effect, they deny it that it was deposited. So, again, I go back to the relevance of that money, the money City of Manila paid Mrs. Corona. Where that went, that is what I am asking the Prosecution, what is your theory? Meaning, the disposition now of the P34.7 million, what is the theory of the Prosecution? Representative Tupas. I think, Your Honor, that should be the duty, the job, the burden should be on the Defense to prove that. But as far as we are concerned now, as far as we are concerned based on the testimony so far of the witnesses presented, the money was deposited in the personal account of Mrs. Corona in Malacaang. That is Landbank. And to us, she treated it as her own money. Therefore, it has relation with the SALN because it is an asset. Senator Arroyo. Mrs. Corona deposited it, that P34.7 million in her own account? Representative Tupas. Yes. Senator Arroyo. All right. But Mrs. Corona is not being charged here. It is Chief Justice Corona.
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Well, here is Mrs. Corona who received P34.7 million which, perhaps, it is not hers; perhaps, it is hers; perhaps, it is whatever; then, deposited it in her account. Now, what is the position now of the Prosecution? Representative Tupas. The position of the Prosecution is that it should have been. Senator Arroyo. I mean, that particular money, P34.7 million. Representative Tupas. Now, so far, what we see is that it was deposited in her personal account. That is what we see so far. Senator Arroyo. Then? Representative Tupas. And to us, it has relevance, materiality on Article II of the Impeachment Complaint which is SALN because even if the Chief Justice .... Senator Arroyo. It is the SALN of Chief Justice Corona that is at issue. I even thoughtI was going along with the idea that it was deposited in the account of Chief Justice Corona that is why it was listed in the SALN. But it turns out that we are not clear on just what we are discussing about on the P34.7 million. Representative Tupas. The position, Your Honor, is that even the personal property of the wife should be included in the SALN. And that is the position of the Prosecution. Senator Arroyo. I see. Representative Tupas. But as of now, the Defense, probably most of the questions should be addressed to the Defense because they are the ones presenting their defense and not us. Senator Arroyo. I am notbelieve me, I am not and I will not contest the position at this point of the Prosecution. I respect whatever position you have but I just want it clear, otherwise, we will be going around and around. Thank you very much, Mr. President. Representative Tupas. Thank you also to Sen. Joker Arroyo, Your Honor. Senator Honasan. Mr. President. The Presiding Officer. The Floor Leader. Senator Honasan. Mr. President, may we ask that the Witness, the honorable former Mayor Atienza, be discharged temporarily. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Well, the distinguished former Mayor of Manila is discharged momentarily, and the Court will notify him when we resume the trial of this case in the afternoon of May 7, 2012. Mr. Cuevas. Thank you. Mr. Atienza. Maraming salamat po. The Presiding Officer. Another witness?
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Senator Honasan. Mr. President, Senator Lacson wishes to be recognized. The Presiding Officer. The gentleman from Cavite. Senator Lacson. Thank you, Mr. President. I have some questions, a few questions to the Prosecution. If it is your assertion that Mrs. Corona misappropriatedyou used the term misappropriated the amount of P34.7 million, now, are you admitting that she should not have included or CJ Corona, the Chief Justice, should not have included that amount in his SALN because they did not own that amount, that money? I am asking a question. Representative Tupas. Well, to us, it should be included in the SALN. Senator Lacson. But you said they did not own that money. Representative Tupas. No, we did not say that. Senator Lacson. Misappropriated. When you say you misappropriate some amount, you do not own it. Representative Tupas. What we said, Your Honor, was that she treated it as her own and, therefore, should have been included in the SALN. Senator Lacson. But they did not own that amount, that money. Representative Tupas. They have to prove that, Your Honor, because that isthe burden is on the Defense with respect to that. Senator Lacson. Anyway, I am just curious because, you know, your statement struck me. Mr. Cuevas. I am sorry, Your Honor. I was about to reply. Senator Lacson. Yes, you may reply. Yes, sir. Mr. Cuevas. To the statement that the burden of proof is in our. In all criminal prosecution or even in civil cases, Your Honor, the burden of proof is always on the party who alleges. They were the ones alleging, Your Honor, that this is property of Basa-Guidote, and it was received by Mrs. Corona only in trust. Not even Mrs. Corona can be held liable for not including it if she has a separate Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Senator Lacson. That is correct, Sir. And since as stipulated in the Corporate Secretarys Certificate, she was only entitled to five percent commission. Mr. Cuevas. Yes. Senator Lacson. So, is it also your contention that Mrs. Corona or the Chief Justice should only include the amount equivalent to five percent of P34.7 million? Mr. Cuevas. If she received the amount and she was paid, Your Honor, and, in fact, there is no evidence to that effect, I think if she received, she may be liable.
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Senator Lacson. Anyway.
Mr. Cuevas. But not Chief Justice Corona. He has nothing to do with the transaction, Your Honor. He is neither the buyer, much less the seller, nor is he an agent or the broker. In other words, we have here a case of general accusation. All right. Perang pumunta sa inyo, sa inyo yan, i-account ninyo. We do not agree with that kind of proposition because anybody else can be heldI am not referring it to the. The Presiding Officer. All of this discussion will be cleared out when the Defense shall have finished its presentation of evidence. I do not know whether they will present Mrs. Corona, what other witnesses they have to present. But if they will present Mrs. Corona, she will be the best person to explain all of these. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor, we fully agree. Senator Honasan. Mr. President. The Presiding Officer. Yes, Floor Leader. Senator Honasan. Sen. Ralph Recto wishes to be recognized. The Presiding Officer. The gentleman from Batangas. Senator Recto. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I am glad that on this last day for March as far as the impeachment trial is concerned, we are now going to the other important matter in the SALN. We are now on the personal and other properties, which has a relation to cash, cash in bank, and liabilities. The Presiding Officer. This is the heart of the problem. Senator Recto. Precisely the point, Mr. President. Mr. President, the whole day today or at least during the testimony of Mayor Atienza, it has been pointed out by the Defense as their Witness that Mrs. Corona, in trust for Basa-Guidote, received P34.7 million in cash, is that not correct? That is basically what the Defense is saying. Mr. Cuevas. That is the amount of the check, Your Honor, which was paid to her in her capacity as representative. Senator Recto. Correct. And based on the documents, this has been deposited in LandbankI think, if I am not mistaken, Landbank in Manila? Mr. Cuevas. That is not clear, Your Honor. There was an allegation to that effect. But that is no evidence, Your Honor. Senator Recto. Okay. But is it not correct as well that in previous testimonies, as of December 31, 2010, the cash in bank should have been in Account No. 089121021681P7,148,238.83; Account No. 089121019593P12,580,316.56, that is in the PSBank, the two peso accounts. And then you have a BPI account with P12,024,067.70.
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If I look at the SALN of the Chief Justice as of December 31, 2010, cash and investment on various years, P3.5 million. Okay. There was also testimony and evidence that on December 12, 2010, a withdrawal was made of roughly P34 millionor 2011, is that not correct? Mr. Cuevas. That appears to be the evidence of the Prosecution, Your Honor. Senator Recto. Correct, correct.
Mr. Cuevas. But if you are asking our side, Your Honor, just kindly wait. We are not yet through with our opportunity. Senator Recto. I understand, I understand. This is in relation to this P34 million Basa-Guidote. Mr. Cuevas. Senator Recto. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, our point is. That is all I am trying to point out. I am sorry, I am sorry.
Senator Recto. Yes, yes. Okay. Now, there was a withdrawal in December 12, 2011. May I ask the Prosecution: Is that not correct? Representative Tupas. That is correct, Your Honor. Senator Recto. And if I recall the testimony then that this withdrawal was tinanggal iyong pera dahil wala nang tiwala sa PSBank and this money is the money of Basa-Guidote Representative Tupas. That is not the evidence for the Prosecution. That was, I think, in the media, in the newspaper. Senator Recto. Okay. Is that the evidence of the Defense? That withdrawal, that P34 million withdrawal? Mr. Cuevas. Yes, yes, it was.
Senator Recto. You know, I may beI may not have my notes now, no. But there was a withdrawal as testified here by the PSBank manager, if I am not mistaken, P34 million ang winidraw noong December 12, 2011. And that is why hindi kailangan makasama naman iyon doon sa SALN ni Chief Justice noong 2010. Mr. Cuevas. Hindi po iyon ang aming bersyon, ang aming depensa. Ang aming depensa is this money, which allegedly were deposited whether in the dollar account or peso account are merely held in trust by Chief Justice Corona, Your Honor, coming from the proceeds of the Basa-Guidote account and also the money sent to them by their children, Your Honor. Senator Recto. Okay. Pero basta maliwanag itong P34 million sa Basa-Guidote ito, and I am following up the point of Sen. Ping Lacson here. Mr. Cuevas. Senator Recto. If that question is directed to me? Yes, it will be directed to both, yes, to the Defense Counsel.
Mr. Cuevas. Well, we have not yet started presenting evidence in that regard, so how can there be an evaluation, an appraisal and conclusion? I hope, as a Judge in this case, Your Honor, I would
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plead most respectfully that kindly receive the evidence with an open mind, because if your mind are already closed, these are deposits, these are the money of Justice Corona and they were not registered, therefore, he has violated the provisions of SALN, Your Honor. In fact, even the allegations of paragraph 2Article II, Your Honor, under paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3, there is nothing mentioned about the failure to state this and so on or the irregularwhat appears is nondeclaration. Senator Recto. I just want to assure the Defense that I am not making a conclusion. I am just trying to understand the evidence presented here, whether testimony or documentary, and what is being presented by both the Prosecution and the Defense. Because, right now, as the way I see itand this is the more important issue, I thinkis that we are almost done with the real properties and we are already toldand this has relevance to cash, cash in bank, liabilities as reflected in the SALNs and I promise the Defense that I will listen to every piece of evidence Mr. Cuevas. Thank you. Senator Recto. that you will present in this Court and seek some clarification, if necessary, similar with the Prosecution. Yes. Mr. Cuevas. Thank you, Your Honor. Representative Tupas. With respect to the statement from Senator Recto regarding the PSBank accounts, I think on the part of the Prosecution it is very clear, Your Honor, that based on our offer of evidence, all those bank accounts in the year-end balances in the name of Renato Corona, we presented it as evidence, it should belong to us. It belongs to the Chief Justice. That is the position. Senator Recto. Maybe you can correct me. I could be right or I could be wrong. But, you know, I am giving you the opportunity to correct my impression. Okay. Last question. I go back to the P34.7 million, it may not be the same amount. But my recollection isyou can correct me if I am wrongDecember 12, there was a withdrawal Representative Tupas. Senator Recto. That is correct.
of roughly the same amount. Roughly, roughly, yes.
Representative Tupas. Senator Recto.
As testified here by the branch manager. But that P34,700,000
The Presiding Officer. Senator Recto.
Yes, something to that effect.
The Presiding Officer. But that P34,700,000 should be netted by P11 million that was reflected in the SALN of the Chief Justice as liability, advance from Basa-Guidote. Senator Recto. There were numerous occasions in the past, Mr. President, that there were liabilities of 11 going down to five until it was fully paid apparently in 2009, if I recall. My data is in my desk. I do not have it right in front of me.
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Representative Tupas. In 2010, it was fully paid. Senator Recto. Or in 2010, it was fully paid. Representative Tupas. As it appears in the SALN. Senator Recto. And, therefore, it does not appear in 2010. Representative Tupas. That is correct. Senator Recto. It appears in 2009, the last account. Representative Tupas. That is correct, Your Honor. Senator Recto. Right. So, parang nabayaran din niya. And that is why in December 12, kumpleto pa rin iyong halaga, in trust for nga naman eh. That is all I am trying to drive at. Representative Tupas. Yes, but our position, Your Honor, just to make it very, very clear, all those bank accounts submitted as evidence belonged to the Chief Justice because it was in his bank account including the three bank accounts withdrawn and later on deposited in the same bank on December 11, 2010. Senator Recto. I understand the position of the Prosecution. Whether it makes sense or not, I will not make a judgment at this point in time. But, for the Defense Mr. Cuevas. Yes. Senator Recto. would you care to comment on that observation? Mr. Cuevas. Well, Your Honor please, Senator Recto. Or, at least, for my recollection, is that right or wrong. Mr. Cuevas. from the manner you make a narration of facts, I hope you pardon me for saying, that you have considered only the evidence of the Prosecution thus far. I hope I am wrong. Senator Recto. Yes. Mr. Cuevas. Because you have never cited any evidence by the Defense, Your Honor, and we are just starting. Why did we bring about this question of sale of the properties of the.... Senator Recto. So, what is the purpose that there was P34.7 million cash given to Cristina Corona? I understand that is the purpose. Mr. Cuevas. No, that it was received by Mrs. Corona in trust. Senator Recto. In trust for, precisely. Mr. Cuevas. Is it hers? Even if we follow your logic, Your Honor, is it hers? Senator Recto. No, no, I am not saying it is hers. Mr. Cuevas. Precisely, so why will the husband be accountable for that? Senator Recto. I am not even saying that. Mr. Cuevas. Well, that isyou made me understood that way.
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Senator Recto. No, no.
Mr. Cuevas. Because my objection is this. You are making a summation of facts but solely on the basis in favor of one party. Why? Because there is no evidence yet on the part...we have never discussed about these deposits, Your Honor. Senator Recto. Do not worry, I will listen to your defense. Mr. Cuevas. So, the only concept that you have is the concept coming from the Prosecutions evidence, Your Honor. Senator Recto. I will no longer belabor the point, Mr. President, and I assure the Defense that I will listen patiently. The Presiding Officer. Let us wait for the Defense.... Mr. Cuevas. Yes, very unfair. The Presiding Officer. Let us keep cool. We have plenty of time to assess this and we are going on a recess. We have one month to ponder about the whole case and when we finish hearing the Defense in presenting their evidence Senator Recto. Precisely, Mr. President, we are just asking for clarification. The Presiding Officer. we will wait for the rebuttal of the Prosecution. At that point, we will know the whole picture. Senator Recto. Yes. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. If clarification is sought, why will the clarification come from the Defense when it is not our evidence, Your Honor? Is that not unfair? The Presiding Officer. We understand. I understand. Senator Recto. Thank you, Mr. President, I will no longer belabor the point. Mr. Cuevas. The clarification must come from the Prosecution, not from the Defense. That is not our evidence, Your Honor. In fact, we are just starting. We have not yet presented the Chief Justice, if he will testify; the wife, Your Honor. That is my point. All the summation made by Honorable Senator-Judge Recto, Your Honor, appears to be on the basis solely of the evidence for the Prosecution and to us, it appears, and I hope the Court will understand us. The Presiding Officer. Wait a minute, Counsel. In fairness to Senator Recto, the former Mayor of Manila was presented as a witness by the Defense. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. And he testified that the City of Manila paid P34.703 million to Mrs. Corona in trust for Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Cuevas. If the clarification, Your Honor, I am sorry, I am sorry, I apologize. The Presiding Officer. And that is why he was talking about that, that amount was deposited in theaccording to the checkdeposit account of Mrs. Corona. Whether it was included among the alleged bank deposits of the Chief Justice has not been shown by any evidence.
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Mr. Cuevas. Precisely, Your Honor. If the question or the clarificatory question were limited to those facts testified by the honorable ex-Mayor Atienza, we will have no problem, Your Honor. Our problem is the apprehension of apparently unfairness to the Defense because hindi pa kami nagsisimula, eh, insofar as the deposit is concerned. We never have touched that in our evidence, Your Honor. The Presiding Officer. Correct. But the Judges are relating that precisely to inform themselves about their anticipation of the explanation of what they heard about the bank deposits. I hope you understand the position of the Members of the Senate who are not lawyers. Mr. Cuevas. We do, Your Honor. We do and we will try to be very, very meticulous and also fair in judging how our evidence and the evidence of the Prosecution will be appraised and weighed by this honorable Court. We have an abundance of confidence and trust in the manner that this.... The Presiding Officer. Insofar as this Chair is concerned, the Defense has presented the former mayor of Manila to establish the fact that there was a transaction between the City of Manila and the Basa-Guidote Enterprises, Inc. regarding the sale of a piece of land where the City of Manila paid that enterprise, through Mrs. Corona, the amount of P34,703,800. So, that is the gist of the evidence presented by the Defense this afternoon. Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. In fact.... The Presiding Officer. Where that P34,703,800 moved in the financial system is yet to be established Mr. Cuevas. Yes, Your Honor. In fact, the Court will note that.... The Presiding Officer. and how that amount was treated by all the accounts where it moved. Okay? Mr. Cuevas. Okay, Your Honor. Thank you very much for the clarification. The Presiding Officer. The Floor Leader. Senator Honasan. Mr. President, there are no other matters. Therefore, Mr. President, may we ask the Sergeant-at-Arms to make an announcement. The Presiding Officer. The Sergeant-at-Arms will now make an announcement. The Sergeant-at-Arms. Please all rise. All persons are commanded to remain in their places until the Senate President and the Senators have left the Session Hall. Senator Honasan. Mr. President, there being no other business for today, I move that we adjourn until two oclock in the afternoon of Monday, 7 May 2012. The Presiding Officer. Is there any objection? [Silence] The Chair hears none; the trial is hereby adjourned until two oclock in the afternoon of Monday, May 7, 2012. The trial was adjourned at 6:38 p.m.

March 22 Senate Impeachment Court Record

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March 22 Senate Impeachment Court Record

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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

Republic of the Philippines

Record of the Senate

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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

The Presiding Officer.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

But anyway, we will give you all the leeway and

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012