Mockery of justice

Editorial

‘To use a similar test to measure the fitness of a person to hold the highest judicial post in the land is mockery of justice.’

THE prosecution has suffered a big setback in the decision of the Senate, sitting as impeachment court, not to entertain the accusation of illegally acquired wealth against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The ruling limits the scope of the trial to the allegations of failure to disclose his statement of assets and liabilities and net worth under Article II of the eight articles of impeachment. As a result, the prosecution cannot proceed to show that Corona acquired properties manifestly out of proportion to his income.

That said, Corona can hardly take comfort in his possible acquittal because the cloud of suspicion of illegally amassing health would continue to hover over his head.

The prosecution has presented evidence of properties in Corona’s and his wife’s name that are not included in their statements of assets and liabilities. For this, the prosecution apparently believes it can already pin down Corona under the SALN section of Article II. But for insurance, the prosecution also sought the show the acquisition of the properties could not be justified by the Coronas’ legitimate income. This unfortunately fell under the section on illegally acquired wealth that was thumbed down by the Senate.

As a result, we appear to have a case here of undeclared wealth whose provenance the impeachment court believes it has no business looking into. All the while, the senator-judges saw no reason to block the introduction of the income tax returns of the Coronas as evidence.

The likely result is that the Coronas’ tax returns would confirm the assets they acquired were out of proportion to their income. But the court could not draw any conclusion because such is not alleged in the articles of impeachment.

This is fine, we suppose, in a criminal proceeding where an accused’s guilt must be proven beyond reasonable job. But to use a similar test to measure the fitness of a person to hold the highest judicial post in the land?

This is mockery of justice.