They abused the Constitution
to pin me down – Corona

IMPEACHED SUPREME COURT Chief Justice Renato Corona accused the Aquino administration and House prosecutors of abusing the Constitution and the principles of due process in order to look for evidence to pin him down.

“Binaboy nila ang proseso ng Saligang Batas para yurakan ang aking karapatan,” Corona told the impeachment court.

Corona said prosecutors abused laws on foreign currency deposits, as well as the laws governing the operation of the Anti Money Laundering Council or AMLA. As well, Corona said the government abused his right to due process.

“Nakakabahala po ito,” Corona said.

“Kung talagang malakas ang kasi, bakit kailangang magimbento ng ebidensya. Sagutin ninyo ang taumbayan, bakit kelangan ng black propaganda,” Corona said.

Presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile broke in thrice during Corona’s lengthy address to ask him to get to his point.

“Mawalang galang po ginoong Chief Justice,” Enrile said. “Kami po ay nagaantay na sabihin ninyo ang inyong pakay. Sana kung maari ay iaddress ninyo ang issues dito para tapusin na natin.”

Enrile however added that the senate impeachment court was willing to exercise “liberality” in favor of Corona.

Prosecution lawyer Mario Bautista also objected to the lengthy address of Corona, saying the Chief Justice was going into issues that should be addressed during the court proceedings. Bautista said Corona was making accusations without being challenged in a cross examination.

Corona said the only reason that President Benigno S. Aquino III could be so intent on having him impeached was because of the Supreme Court decision against the Cojuangco family in the case of Hacienda Luisita.

“Matindi ang galit ng hacienderong Pangulo,” Corona said.

“Sa ating kasalukuyang administrasyon, hindi po lahat ng hindi kaalyado ay kalaban, at hindi lahat ng hindi kasama ay hindi pwedeng maging katuwang.”

“Hindi porket di magkapareho ng kulay ay hindi na pilipino,” Corona added. ”

At one point, an emotional Corona paused for several minutes to regain his composure.