Corona lawyer slams move to cover up P50M PDAF incentive

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the defense team of former Chief Justice Renato Corona lamented on Friday the alleged attempts by some administration allies to coverup the P 50-million incentive given to each of the senator-judges who voted for Corona’s conviction during the impeachment trial last year.

Lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho noted how Sen. Jinggoy Estrada exposed himself to the people when he revealed about the P50-million in reward provided to senators who convicted Corona.

“First, it was clear on Sen. Estrada’s speech that the P50 million wascreleased to senators to convict Corona. The release of priority development assistance fund (PDAF) has been positively confirmed by other senators,” Quicho told The Star on Friday.

“Whether or not it is bribery, rests on the conscience of each senator,” he added.

Despite denials by allies, Quicho saw a pattern under the Aquino administration where key personalities instrumental during the impeachment received rewards from the administration.

“But, this one is clear, receiving PDAF after the impeachment reeks of impropriety,” he said.

“The totality of the acts of the administration after the impeachment would show that rewards were given to senators through PDAF, private prosecutors to government posts, and public prosecutors with their re-elections,” Quicho said.

The rewards which came in the form of re-election and appointments to government posts  â€œare well-documented and open to public scrutiny.”

“All contrary to the Daang Matuwid program. The statement of Rep. Miro is tries to cover-up the truth, which is not surprising anymore,” Quicho said.

Quicho also expressed disgust against Marikina Rep.  Miro Quimbo who said Corona could not claim that Estrada’s revelation was a vindication for him or that of his ouster was against the Constitution.

Another former Corona lawyer, Joel Bodegon, also had good points to say about Estrada’s speech.

Bodegon said Estrada rightfully appealed to get a fair and equal treatment from his colleagues and the public.

“From what I heard him say, he was pleading for fairness and equal treatment. He was in effect invoking the equal protection clause of the Constitution,” Bodegon said.

Bodegon, who is also counsel of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr, said he does not think that  the senator ratted on his colleagues.

“Rather, he was  asking for everyone to face up to the fact that no one should cast stone at him unless that one was not affected by the defects of the system,” he said.

Bodegon also compared Estrada’s situation during the Corona impeachment trial when  Corona challenged the senators and congressmen that they, too, should show their own statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

“I do not even think he confessed to any wrongdoing as he spoke more of the defects of the system that affected everyone and spared no one,” Bodegon said.