Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona testifies in his impeachment trial in the Senate in Manila May 22, 2012. Corona testified on Tuesday after he was accused of failing to disclose several bank accounts containing millions of pesos, and real estate properties in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN). REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES – Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW BUSINESS)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Former Chief Justice Renato Corona has filed a plea before the Sandiganbayan questioning the perjury and ethical violation charges filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.
On Wednesday, Corona filed a motion for judicial determination of probable cause before the anti-graft court’s Third Division.
Corona’s motion is set to heard on April 11.
If the court sides with Corona, the charges against him will be dismissed. If the motion is junked, the Sandiganbayan will proceed with the former chief magistrate’s arraignment and pre-trial proceedings.
Last Tuesday, the Office of the Ombudsman filed cases against Corona for allegedly misdeclaring his assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) from years 2004 to 2010.
In May 2012, the same issues with Corona’s SALNs prompted the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to convict and ultimately oust Corona for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Philippine Constitution.
Corona is also facing tax evasion charges before the Court of Tax Appeals for failing to pay taxes worth P120 million and for failing to file his income tax returns (ITRs) for the years 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2010. (MNS)