Low taxes “unheard of” in the business, broker says
My Exclusive
By Raïssa Robles
Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona may have been sold a luxury penthouse at a very special discounted price. He also may have enjoyed tax breaks on the same transaction, courtesy of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, sources separately confirmed to me.
What’s wrong with that, his friends and allies are likely to say. After all, it’s a business transaction done in his own private time.
Perhaps I’m being idealistic in my expectations of how a Chief Justice ought to behave. I recall my late lawyer-father – who used to teach Legal Ethics at the University of the Philippines College of Law – narrating how, in the US, when one lawyer was appointed Chief Justice of the US Federal Court, he took to dining alone or with his family in public. He was trying to avoid conflict of interest situations.
I’m sure nearly every lawyer is familiar with the saying: Caesar’s wife must be above reproach. In the case of Chief Justice Corona, did his personal transactions raise any conflict of interest issues? Did he get favorable treatment due to his position, or treatment that is not otherwise accorded ordinary citizens?
Did he violate Republic Act No. 6713 which imposes a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards on all public officials and employees? Section 7 in particular states:
(d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. — Public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office [underlining is mine].
Interestingly enough, Megaworld Corporation, which directly sold the condo to CJ Corona, has had legal suits before the Supreme Court while Corona sat as an Associate Justice.
I do recall it won several suits before the Supreme Court. I could not see Corona’s name being mentioned as having cast any vote for or against Megaworld in any of the suits.
The suits of Megaworld decided in the Supreme Court can be viewed by clicking on this link and this link.
UPDATE, January 8, 2011 at 7:47 P.M.: Threecommenters named “George”, Manuel Buencamino and “Josh” have just pointed out to me that I had actually provided a link to the Supreme Court website showing that Renato Corona had penned a decision in 2004 in favor of Megaworld. Looking back, I was thrown off by the phrase “Corona, J.”
My brain had quickly dismissed it because I was thinking it must be a different Corona since his first name starts with “R.” Now I realize that “J.” stands for “Justice”. Click on this link to read CJ Corona’s decision.
Megaworld has refused to comment on its transaction with CJ Corona. I tried to broach the subject with Megaworld Investment Information Officer John Hao. He said he was not allowed to speak on the issue. He told me the same thing he had told the newspapers:
The company has a privacy policy under which it is committed to maintain all client information in strictest confidence. Consistent with this commitment, the company does not, as a matter of policy, disclose information pertaining to the business dealings with its clients.
We shall comply with the official orders of the authority – if summoned – in a proper forum.
Apart from John Hao, I talked to an architect and two other sources who do not know each other and have had no dealings with CJ Corona. Both declined to be identified. One is a prominent realty broker who deals with upmarket properties in Metro Manila. I will call him Pedro. The other works in a well-known property research firm specializing in tracking high-end properties. I’ll call him Danny.
Both Pedro and Danny were amazed at the price at which CJ Corona obtained his penthouse in Bellagio Tower 1. And at how low the taxes that were imposed on this property.
Both said that if offered the same deal, they would grab it quickly.
Why the Bellagio condo “is a steal”
Bellagio 1 was completed in end 2008, according to Megaworld. Before completion, Pedro the realty broker recalled that penthouse units there were pre-selling at P80,000 to P85,000 per sq m. At that price alone, CJ Corona’s 303.5 sq m unit would have cost at least P24.28 million. Add to that P800,000 per parking slot (of which he bought three) and that would raise the cost to P26.68 million.
CJ Corona’s penthouse was still cheaper than the pre-selling price.
According to the Deed of Absolute Sale between CJ Corona and Megaworld, the transaction was sealed and notarized on December 16, 2009 – or way past the pre-selling period. After a building is finished, units automatically rise in price because there is no longer the risk of non-completion, explained Danny of the property research firm.
This means, Danny said, CJ Corona would have normally been charged a higher price than the pre-selling price. And yet, according to the Deed of Absolute Sale, he paid only P14.5 million for the penthouse and three parking slots of 12.5 sq m each.
This means he actually owns 341 sq m in Bellagio. This means he only paid P42,521.99 per sq m, both Pedro and Danny said after their calculations.
“It’s really a steal I tell you,” Pedro said.
Portion of the Deed of Absolute Sale shows the terms of sale
Danny of the property research firm then placed CJ Corona’s purchase in the context of the prevailing market. He said that as a research firm, they track only developments they consider “premium”, “Grade A” and “Grade B” in five areas: Bonifacio Global City (also called BGC or The Fort) where Bellagio 1 is located; the Makati Central Business District or CBD, the Ortigas CBD, Eastwood and Rockwell.
Danny said Bellagio 1 belongs to the highest or premium grade category because of its location, “exclusivity”, floor area per unit, amenities and finishing.
To give you an idea, here are photos from the Megaworld website showing the interior of a Bellagio III unit:
Residents share in the use of the following:
- A 220 sq m swimming pool inclusive of the wading pool
- Sandy beach pool and water feature
- Aromatherm and SPA (male and female)
- Aromatherm Electronic Capsule (4 in 1)
- Hydrotherapy tub Steam
- Vichy Shower Wet table
- Heated Pool SPA in Glass Enclosure
- Fitness gym
- Music/piano function room, game room (billiards and table tennis)
- Day care center and play area
Danny said that of the 41 residential buildings located at BGC or The Fort, only six are considered premium buildings: Bellagio 1, 2 and 3, Essensa, Pacific Plaza and Serendra.
Danny noted that as of end 2008 when Bellagio 1 was completed, the average price of a condo unit in the Bonifacio area ranged from a low of P88,000 per sq m to a high of P115,000 per sq m.
“And he (Corona) got it for around P40,000 (a year later). Anyone would be amazed…because it is a Bellagio,” Danny said.
To give me an idea of how grossly under-priced Corona’s unit was, Danny said that at that time that CJ Corona bought his unit, condo units made by developer DMCI Homes were then selling at P42,000 per sq m. – which is the price at which Corona bought his property. DMCI projects are not high-end and are located in the outskirts of Parañaque, Quezon City and Taguig – not in the heart of Bonifacio, he said.
This is how DMCI Homes describes its market in its own website:
DMCI Homes is the country’s first Triple A builder/developer of premium quality, urban-friendly, serviced communities for young growing families of modest income that aspire to live comfortably near their place of work, of study and of leisure.
Hmmm. Families “of modest income” would have been able to afford CJ Corona’s Bellagio condo if only they were given the same terms that Corona got from Megaworld.
But Danny said, “You can’t get a Bellagio being sold at P42,000 per sq m. It’s so undervalued.” Especially because Bellagio 1 was the only building completed in 2008 with units sized over 300 sq m. The usual unit sizes being built in 2008 ranged from 220 sq m to 230 sq m, Danny said. And that was what made the Bellagio penthouses – that CJ Corona got – quite attractive.
From a purely business” standpoint, Danny found it “quite suspicious” for a developer to sell a prime unit at a loss”without any strings attached. “Maybe Megaworld has ties with Corona. I don’t know,” Danny said.
Why was Corona’s condo purchase taxed so low?
Aside from the low purchase price, CJ Corona seems to have benefited in the transaction in the form of low taxes.
The law taxes the buying and selling of property. The law required CJ Corona, as the buyer, to pay to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) a Documentary Stamp Tax equivalent to 1.5% of either the Selling Price or the Market/Zonal Value, “whichever is higher.”
The law also required the seller, Megaworld, to pay BIR a “Withholding Tax” equivalent to 5% of the Selling Price or the Market/Zonal Value, “whichever is higher.”
After payment, the BIR issues to the buyer a document called the Certificate Authorizing Registration or CAR. This details how much taxes were paid for the transaction.
In the case of CJ Corona’s condo purchase, everything seemed aboveboard at first glance. The tax was based on the Selling Price of P14.5 million because this was higher than the “Market/Zonal Value” of this piece of property.
CJ Corona’s CAR showed that BIR Revenue Officer Gerry O. Dumayas calculated the Market/Zonal Value of CJ Corona’s property at P6,827,200.
Wait a minute, I thought: P6,827,200 (the Market/Zonal Value) divided by 341 sq m would only give a Market/Zonal Value of P20,021 per sq m.
I remembered what Pedro earlier told me. To get the Zonal Value of an area, go to the BIR website and click on Zonal Values (under Special Sites).
He recalled that around 2008 Zonal Value for upscale Bonifacio area, where Bellagio stands, was even then around P80,000 per sq m.
I had to go back to both Pedro and Danny to confirm if I did the calculations correctly – that the BIR gave CJ Corona’s property a Zonal Value of P20,021 per sq m. instead of somewhere around P80,000.
I asked both of them to do the calculations. They came up with the same finding. His property was indeed under-taxed.
“Assuming that is true, that (kind of tax rate) is unheard of” for the Bonifacio area, Pedro said.
“That happens in our industry,” he said.
What happens in your industry, I asked.
Pedro said: “You know, you want savings (on your taxes), you pay only half, you save 25%, the other 25%, you know….”
“That was what was happening in the BIR at least before. Now they’re stricter. I really respect (the current tax chief Kim) Henares,” he added.
I asked both Pedro and Danny to confirm the following – if we assume that the Market/Zonal Value for the Bonifacio area at the time of CJ Corona’s purchase was around P80,000 per sq m, that would mean his 341 sq m property would have a Zonal Value of P27.28 million.
Since P27.28 million is higher than the P14.5 million he paid for the property, the tax he paid should have been based on the Market/Zonal Value and not on the selling price because the Market/Zonal Value is higher, right?
Both Pedro and Danny said “Yes.”
Under the law, CJ Corona had to pay documentary stamp tax equivalent to 1.5% of the selling price or Market/Zonal Value, “whichever was higher”. The BIR document shows he paid P217,655 – or 1.5% of the selling price since this was higher than the Zonal Value given in the document.
However, if the BIR had used P80,0000 per sq m as the Zonal Value, that would have made the Zonal Value P27.28 million for CJ Corona’s property higher than the Selling Price. This would mean, the Zonal Value would have been used as basis for calculating the Doc Stamp Tax. This would mean, CJ Corona should have been charged P409,200 instead of P217,655 by the BIR.
The same understatements are true for the Withholding Tax paid for this transaction. Instead of the P725,511.25 that was paid, it should have been P1.364 million.
All in all, the BIR seemed to have waived P830,033.80 in potential tax revenues in this transaction alone – P191,545 from the buyer CJ Corona and P638,488.80 from the seller Megaworld.
I tried to reach BIR Revenue Officer Gerry O. Dumayas last Friday. All I got was the answering machine in his office. I must have phoned him five times. He wasn’t in his office or was not picking up the phone.
Perhaps someone higher up asked Dumayas to do it?
I also tried to reach Supreme Court Administrator Midas Marquez but he wasn’t picking up. Other reporters have asked him about CJ Corona’s condo. Marquez has defended him saying CJ Corona could well afford to buy a condo.
What CJ Corona has admitted so far
CJ Corona’s Bellagio penthouse is cited as part of the evidence to show his alleged “culpable violation of the Constitution” and “betrayal of pubic trust.” The accusation against him reads:
2.4. Respondent is likewise suspected and accused of having accumulated ill-gotten wealth, acquiring assets of high values and keeping bank accounts with huge deposits. It has been reported that Respondent has, among others, a 300-sq. meter apartment in a posh Mega World Property development at the Fort in Taguig.
CJ Corona recently submitted his reply to the Senate. He denied the allegation it was ill-gotten. But he admitted owning it. He said:
Finally, Complainants allege in par. 2.4 that “reports” state CJ Corona acquired a 300-sq. m. apartment in the Fort, Taguig. Complainants speculate that he has not reported this in his SALN and that its price is beyond his income as a public official. CJ Corona admits that he and his wife purchased on installment a 300-sq. m. apartment in Taguiog, declared in his SALN when they acquired it.
From this statement, it is very clear that Corona claims he did not pay for the condo in lumpsum but “on installment”.
Pedro the realty broker told me Corona could easily prove what he said by presenting a document called the “Contract to Sell”. This is normally notarized in order to protect the buyer while paying on installment since the Condominium Certifcate of Title remains with the seller until everything is paid. The Contract to Sell states the installment terms and interest rate.
I haven’t seen any Contract to Sell. I don’t know if one exists. Only Corona or Megaworld or the notary public can produce it.
What I obtained from a source I can’t name is the Deed of Absolute Sale showing that the Corona couple paid in full for 38-B in Bellagio Tower 1, facing the Manila Golf and Country Club; as well as three basement parking slots of 12.5 sq m each.
You can view the Deed of Absolute Sale below, after the video.
To get an idea of how exclusive this property is, watch the video below on its triplet tower, Bellagio III:
DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE for Bellagio 1, page one
DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE for Bellagio 1, page two
CERTIFICATE AUTHORIZING REGISTRATION, BIR
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE -CJ CORONA’S CONDO at Bellagio Tower 1, 38th floor
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 1
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 2
CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE – parking slot 3
Was the 203 sqm lot in McKinley Hills also underpriced? At P6.2 milllion, the per sqm price comes out to 30,542. I heard that lot prices there were offered at around 70k per sqm, and similar transactions in that project should be checked to determine the true prices and the discount. In similar fasion, there are 4 penthouse units in the Bellagio. How much did the other 3 units sell for. Senator Kiko was questioning the Megaworld director along these lines, but was not given an answer. Common sense questioning will give to rest the issue of whether a discount was given or not. Ano ba talaga ang binayad nung 3 pang Penthouse buyers.
wala palang kwenta ang mga unit ng Megaworld, nasisira ng bagyo saka tumatagas ang tubig,
low quality ika nga…….
FR a commenter named HENRY: “wala palang kwenta ang mga unit ng Megaworld, nasisira ng bagyo saka tumatagas ang tubig, low quality ika nga…….” Yamo na low quality units ng Megaworld, Henry. Hi-tech naman ang mga presyo nila. At yung milyones mong ibabayad tiyak na hindi tatagas… safe sila sa banko ng Megaworld!
Why didn’t they discuss the price of the parking lot? We bought a 2 slots in a Megaworld project in 1997 and it was half a million each. If the cost of a slot in 2008 was 1 million, then the condo comes out to 11.5 million only, or 37.5k per sqm. Unless they got a special price for defective parking, this looks like a ridiculously low price. So from 80k to 37.5k per sqm. That’s more than a 50% discount. I suggest that the prosecution lawyers do the math to include the cost of the parking slots. There are three of those and those slots are sold separately from the unit. Please please do the math so you could strengthen your case.
You’re right.
We all forgot about the parking slots, except you.
I meant the prosecution do the math. Sorry wasn’t clear on that. Listening to the testimony yesterday, they valued a 300 sqm penthouse at 80k per sqm, therefore 24M. Comparing it to the 14.5M purchase price led to the conclusion of an approximately 10M discount. The Megaworld testimony yesterday detailed a 5M damage discount, a 15% cash discount, and a Lehman Brothers failure discount of around than 1M or more. I think it was Sen. Recto who tried to calculate how the amount of 14.5M was derived.
Comparing the 24M market value to the 14.5M purchase price is not an apples to apples comparison though, since the 24M figure being discussed yesterday did not include the 3 parking slots. I don’t know the value of each slot, but an assumption of 700k to 1M per adds 2.1M to 3M to the value. This is not an inconsequential figure and should be explained by Megaworld. If they gave it for free, then graft is in play.
superb investigative work,frankly im curious if the defense team of mr corona professional fees are really waive?my perception is it is a well funded team.
Your articles are really nice and informative. I am following your blog since the day I discovered it from the web. It’s way much better to read your articles than to watch TV news. By the way, isang article sana ang gusto kong i-request from you, about Benjamin Abalos. He is the root of all evil after the 2004 elections in my opinion.
Thank you.
You want to read about Mr Hamborger?
Yes definitely, if you may! I find it hard to find articles that points to his misdeeds while he is the commissioner. It seems he has totally escaped the law for all his wrongdoings! Imagine, the comelec office, who is sitting right in front of the intramuros fire station, was burnt to ashes kung kelan may ongoing investigation about anomalies sa nakalipas na election? He wouldn’t surely have done that if he has not amassed millions(if not billions) in return to the favor he gave to GMA. He held the next most powerful position in the land after the president. (I’m not saying that it actually is but he has control on who can sit as the next president).
Sorry for posting out of topic comments by the way! Related kasi ito about GMA at mga galamay nya. (-,-). Maybe I just had the wrong impression about him? But by the way he speaks, I must say that he is much like Pichay who can speak with extreme confidence telling unbelievable lies infront of the camera. Para silang mga Avengers (sa kabaligtran sa movie) together with the generals surrounding GMA at that time, ang mga tagapagtanggol ng pandak!
I also agree with will…please d the same with abalos and possibly other justices too then all politicos
This case is more than what the eyes can see. Such a transaction cannot be done without the participation of others. This is really good & exciting whatever will be the result of the case. Other participant(s) will now have to think if their action or monetary gain is worth it, knowing that it be uncovered in the future. Deterrent is at times the best way to stop this type of transaction.
Gara ng palusot ni Defense Counsel Cuevas pagkatapos mabisto na sa Impeachment Court ang SALN ni Corona na pilit sana nilang gustong itago. Sabi nya FAVORABLE DAW SA DEFENSE ung paglabas ng SALN ng Client niya. HAHAHAHA! His lame reason, altho mi konting value ay, it proved that Corona did indeed file his yearly SALN. But had this “brilliant” (DIUMANO) counsel thought of that IT WAY WAY MUCH FAVORED THE PROSECUTION BECOZ IT REVEALED IN INCONTROVERTIBLE BLACK AND WHITE — or should it be BLANKONG WHITE lang? — THAT CHEAP JUSTICE CORONA DID NOT LIST DOWN HIS INFAMOUS, highly documented by our RAISSA, P14.5 MILLION BELLAGIO CONDO IN ANY OF HIS DECLARED SALN? BINGO!!
WHAT ABOUT IT, CUEVAS? Baka mamiyabas ka na mula ngayon! Hehehehe!
Tama ka @AUGUST C FERNANDO
Nakasulat ang basehan ngayon kung unipormado ang ari-arian, pangautang, at buhay halaga ni Renato Corona.
Dito malalaman ngayon ang sangkaterbang agam agam ngayon ng sambayanang pilipinas.
Maliliwanagan, mapapatunayan ang lahat ng itinatagong mga ari-arian at yaman.
Dahil legal ang SALN at may kasamang kaparusahan kung nagsinungaling si R Corona.
Lilitaw at napapatunayan kung nagsasabi ng tutuo ang mga Coronas.
HINDI SANA MAGKAMALI ANG PROSEKUSYON DITO.
@mel & august
Mamiyabas, kapampangan si august sabi ko na sayo mel
ahh, makaniyan.
Eh ngeni ko pa balong kapampangan pala eh i August.
eh di masanting para atin kong kasabi keni.
kamusta ka wari @AUGUST C FERNANDO.
taga nukarin ka? eh i ima at ita ko taga bacolor ra.
ditak mung balo kong kapampangan pero makaintindi ko.
o sige neh?
Raïssa, you might be wondering what I just posted here.
i just wrote, it is only now that I knew @AUGUST C FERNANDO as a kapampangan.
That’s good. and asked how are you @AUGUST…
I wrote that my parents are from bacolor pampanga.
END.
Raïssa, Sorry for the Troll again for the nth time. pahamak si Johnny lin.
LOL!
—–
@Johnny lin
You wrote, “Mamiyabas, kapampangan si august sabi ko na sayo mel”
hey máte, how would I know every comment & replies you threw at Raïssa’s blog site.
we’d have to put a stop to this trolling shots máte,
otherwise visitors would be annoyed and label the blog site a favorite of JOKEr arroyo.
DAKAL SALAMAT KEKA YU NGAN.
Fr JOHNNY lin: “@mel & august Mamiyabas, kapampangan si august sabi ko na sayo mel”
Johnny Guitar… soweee… WRONG MISTAKE NA MALI! August is as Rizalian as Lorenzo Sumolong. As pure Tagalog as Amang Rodriguez minus the Queen’s English! HAHAHAHA! The only Pampango term I know is “mekeni, abe?” na pinsang-buo ng Batangueno “Aru, abe!”
@fernando
Ha ha ha, you say depend like GMA, Mamiyabas like mel, i said you are kapampangan only, idid not say you come from pampanga, you are kapampangan by speech like mevsonetines. i am also Rizalian from Pampang, pampang ng Pasig
You are really from super Rizal, like your real name preceded by Augustus Caesar
I rationalize now like your favorite lawyer Cuevas or favorite punching bag shall I say, he he he.
@Raissa we are only happy bbecause SALN was finally proving non disclosure. Sorry too.
The prosecutors are so bobo, all they should say “what Corona did was submit an untruthful SALN, what we accused was non disclosure of SALN. Submit is different from Disclosure in terms of truthfulness. Under the constitution, public official, more so with Corona being the highest magistrate of the court of the land, must be TRUTHFUL with SALN Disclosure in all its contents, income and assets including conjugal properties bank accounts, source of conjugal income and true market values of properties based on deeds of sale. That we are presenting are documents proving Corona lied in his SALN which untruthfulness is culpable violation of constitution and betrayal of public trust. That the documents showing millions of undisclosed properties in his SALN are evidences of ill gotten wealth. All of these are stated on the Article II impeachment charge”
Did I say it right like Cuevas, kasangga kong Rizal
August, Tagalugin mo nga yung sinabi ko baka nagbabasa yung tunay na kapampangan kabalen ni Mel, si Lapid, I mean pareng Leon Guerero,
From Johnny lin, somewhere: “August, Tagalugin mo nga yung sinabi ko baka nagbabasa yung tunay na kapampangan kabalen ni Mel, si Lapid, I mean pareng Leon Guerero,”
Linsyok, pare ko, at gagawin mo pa akong interpreter! You know, after I retired prematurely the day my office was reduced to ashes and debris by ruthless, soulless, Godless Middle East punks on Sept 11, 2001, I no longer wanna do ANY KIND OF JOB! Sunog na katawan ko sa trabaho. 25 yrs in Pinas govt (NEDA). 20 years in corporate America (Wall Street). Enough! The only exertion/exercise I have been doing since then was whenever I use my ATM to haul off what Uncle Sammy’s sending me monthly — if you get my drift, hehehe!
Sayang na cuevas membro pa naman nang lglisya ni kristo pero napakasinungaling pala at gagawin lahat maipagtanggol lamang ang thief justice corona? Tanong ko lang naghiwalay na ba si thief justice corona at mrs.cristina corona dahil nakita ko hindi isinama ni thief justice sa kanyang SALN ang asawa? Bakit nga pala sinabi nang defense team na nakatulong sa kanila ang paglabas nang SALN gayon noong una ay halos ayaw pag usapan at ilabas kahit ni thief justice corona kanyang na ba ka BOBO mga taong ito? Unti unti na lumalabas Baho mo thief corona, konting panahon nalang at magsasama na kayo ni abalos sa kulungan? Magbalot balot kana thief & mrs.thief cristina corona?
Congratulations Ms. Raissa for a wonderful job. Just now, i found out that Corona did not own any vehicles for the year 2009 based on his SALN. All the Prosecution should do is to call the LTO official concerned to prove that there are vehicles registered under his name.
GOOD POINT!
Chances are not in his name but to his children. Associate justices are provided free cars, one is Camry and another SUV and their drivers are SC employees, same with CA justices, government paid driver with one car. CJ has 3 free cars and 2 drivers, the reason Mrs Corona delayed her resignation date until she could avail of the car privilege of CJ. Neat ha!
Justices were supposed to buy new ones before Christmas but that decision was shelved due to the tempest in SC. Better investigate how many cars his children have, how much and how were they purchased? Another Megaworld like sweet deal? Clue: Try finding out which justice has Audi. This company has a long standing unresolved court case between the franchise owner and Audi Germany.
yeah, but the wife has to have a car. The car that she uses when she goes to the supermarket every weekend. Otherwise, the presumption is they use the “red plated ones” even during their private trips.
Hindi ba puwede red plate sa weekend?
They use government cars 7 days a week including drivers except Sundays. Two cars for SC justices, one for CA justices.
Pwede naman miss raissa pero dapat may travel order. Dapat justified ang paggamit ng car at pagsunog ng gas. Hehehe pero baka exempted nanaman ang Supreme Court. I will not be surprised. =)
He did not disclose the Bellagio property in his 2009 SALN (as of 31 december 2009). Said property was bought on 16 December 2009 based on the Deed of Absolute Sale issued by the RD of Taguig City. Corona said, the “apartment” was bought in installment, he did not declare the same in his liabilities.
lOOK AT THE 2010 – that’s his disclosure as of Dec 31, 2009.
@ juan caballero
Hindi nga na disclosed ni thief justice corona ang asawang si cristina corupt corona eh ang penthouse pa sa taguig etc etc… napakasinungaling talaga ni thief corona. ano kaya masasabi niya BUKING na BUKING na si thief, napakasingaling na mandarambong at walang dilikadisa… cum laude na Magnanakaw ha ha ha…He don’t deserve to in the Supreme Court a day long. Resign na thief corona sayang gastos namin sa magnanakaw na katulad mo? Nagpaka TUTA ka kasi?
This 14 million BELLAGIO property is not listed in any SALN declared annually by CJ Corona. The highest property asset declared is 6.8 million pesos in Taguig. If Corona claims that one Taguig property is the Bellagio then he lied on his SALN. Either way he was untruthful. Mafiosos call liars, BUGIARDO, rhyming with BELLAGIO. Well, Corona lawyers could testify his property name is Bugiardo, not Bellagio, he he he,
Corona’s defense team though legally skillful, lost the greatest battle already, SALN DISCLOSURE. There is now basis for comparison with acquired properties.
His fellow justices refused to interfere despite the secret pleading of Marquez to them. Corona eventually was abandoned by the ocho-ocho justices prompting Marquez to announce that Corona gave permission to release his SALN, done only after the Senate ordered it as saving face gesture.
The rest is posturing by Corona lawyers, their legal skills immaterial already. Last night, short lived eerie silence prevailed in their close door post trial conference when one young lawyer objected to the media declaration of Cuevas that none of them saw the SALNs before, tantamount to incompetence. This lawyer protecting professional future. SALN non disclosure was in the Articles of Impeachment and insanely inconceivable to declare publicly that NOBODY among the lawyers saw the SALNs.
Age and memory lapse of Cuevas catching on him shown by his profuse apology to Drilon and Enrile. Cuevas expertise on diversionary tricks is failing him. Expect withdrawal of one lawyer in few weeks for made up reason. Lets pray that Cuevas will not suffer CVA from too much brain pressure.
GAME OVER,TOUCHE!
Hi, Raissa
Palagay ko ay tapos na ang laban dahil nasisilip na ang malinaw na katotohanan. Sa SALN ni Thief Justice Corona na 18.5 million pesos for 2010 ay kulang pa kung icoconsider itong Bellagio na may market value na 25 to 30 million pesos. At sa 5 properties na inamin na niya ay nagkakahalaga sa declared value na 30+ million pesos. Good riddance, Thief Justice.
Ika nga awit na ang lahat ng “”and now the end is near”" from the song “”His Way”".
Di magtatagal ay makakapagpapahinga ka na ng kaunti sa kasong ito, Rissa, at ibang personalities naman ang maaaring hahalughugin mo?
Salamat din sa mga bloggers ng issue na ito. It has been an interesting and exciting reading for me.
More power.
Hi Raïssa.
Good to re-read your articles again, including comments posted preceding the trial start date.
The comments posting was off for two days, except for @Johnny lin’s posties.
At least today, we got to read a lot of the comments due to recent developments.
I hope you’re AOK, not sure if you got an interview from R Corona’s media liaison spokesperson(s).
ARe you attending the Senate Impeachment trial sessions? It would be nice you are.
We look forward to your investigative reporting, and an update this impeachment case.
THANKS IN ADVANCE. Take care.
Good job Ms Raissa Robles. More power. Pwede ba kitang e pm dito?
Sorry ha,
Ano yung “pm”?
Fr RAISSA somwhere here: “Sorry ha, Ano yung ‘pm’?”…. PASABAD NGA: Raissa, the dude just meant PRIVATE MESSAGE…. PM in Net abbreviation/parlance.
PM=Personal Message
PM =private message
Pls send to raissarobles.com@gmail.com
Wow. I’m amazed with the writer’s writing. Galing! You have very detailed information there. Keep it up!
EXPOSE: all in one movie operation in real life. Midas Marquez is the Yes Man,Transporter and Terminator that is why he is the Kick Ass of Corona, No wonder he smooches Corona’s butt unabashedly.
World Bank recent audit report found out that SC loans were spent without internal control by Court Administrator, appointed by Corona when he assumed Chief Justice position. Midas is the sole responsible officer who Approves, Disburses and End User of court supplies and travel privileges without limit up to 500,000 pesos a month, increase from 200,000 as soon as he was appointed.
@Johnny lin
You got it right Pedro!
No wonder why he is so proactive and high strung in his defense of his benefactor.
According to newsinfo.inquirer, “[W]ithout naming Jose Midas Marquez, the World Bank said “this senior official, due to the combination of his appointments and functions, was the requestor of the services, the approver of the terms of reference, the end-user of the services provided by the firm, the authorizer of contract extensions, and the authorizer of payments to the firm.”
It said this arrangement, among others, “present[ed] a conflict of interest and eliminate[d] internal checks and balances applicable to the procurement and disbursement functions.”
—————–
Hey @Johnny lin
I notice that you ‘monopolize’ the right side column bar of Raïssa’s index page for ‘Latest comments:’. How come it takes our comments to appear, whereas yours – just as more quicker.
Ang lakas mo sa moderator, ah?
@mel
I think the main frame of Raissa froze thats why I notified her about problems her fans might have Lol
@Johnny lin
You baffle the creeps on my end.
are you a smart–aleck that you seem to twit on no end…
ultimong website server side ni Raïssa, alam mo.
nakakapag hinayang ka @Johnny lin.
later on, you might claim you have all the IP addresses of the commenters here.
or you’re just pulling @ricky’s leg because of his wealth flaunting
- see related post by @Mel January 17, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Sorry Raïssa for the troll for the nth time.
pahamak si @Johnny lin
@mel
What do you mean “nakapanghihinayang ako”? My life has been very fruitful with successful cerebral children.
For the sake of trumpling his unnecessary cocky attitude, what I told @ricky was not far from truth though not in lump sum preferring to remain anonymous. Due to constant travel, I dont use a personal computer, no stored files because of God given gift of photographic memory, few email contacts, no fb or twitter friends, dont have own IP address because I use open wifi from an ipad bought from a homeless to be discarded easily, participate only on intellectual blogs like, Raissa, Newsbreak/Rapper with the common purpose for a Great Philippines by promoting changes on our current corrupt culture.
I’ve been called many names, you tagged me smart aleck; @ricky called me rich SOB, @arsenio labelled me fortune teller, @gloriatomas thought I was a lawyer or bar flunker, @august sarcastically addressed me idol, @nona named me a fake eonophile, @saxnviolins belittled me “dangerous” with skimpy knowledge because I debunked his theories culled from his legal education, @jcc asked me if I was a GMA stalker for knowing so much about her personals, while another guy called me a medical specialist. i am a retired professional “company” strategic analyst having tasted the luxurious trappings of the rich and famous. Shakespearean, whats in a name?
Being wealthy is worthless if not shared with the unfortunates, schools and churches, never with politicians nor to flaunt indiscriminatelyRipley?
From Raissa somewhere over the rainbow: “@august sarcastically addressed me idol….” Raissa if I am the AUGUST you were referring to… sorry to disappoint you. I never “sarcastically addressed” you as my idol…. I remember writing something like that once… but it was NOT — repeat NOT — you who I addressed it to. Ok ba, TUNAY KONG IDOL? (This capitalized part is under oath!)
Sigue na nga.
Sandali,m paalam muna sa lahat.
got to work.
To all Raissa fans and disputants, here is not hot item related to the Thief Justice Corona impeachment case.
Just off the Phil. Daily Enquirer:
Final tranche canceled due to irregular expenses
By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:08 am | Sunday, January 15th, 2012
0share5 5
The Supreme Court under the watch of Chief Justice Renato Corona has been weighed and found wanting.
The World Bank has uncovered questionable procurements and disbursements in the high court in connection with the Judicial Reform Support Project (JRSP). The project, partly funded by a World Bank loan of $21.9 million (P930.75 million at an exchange rate of P42.50 to $1), was designed to restore efficiency in the dispensation of justice in the country.
For complete reportt:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/128095/world-bank-loan-to-supreme-court-high-risk
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Forget about 45 or 5 properties. Just the Bellagio condo and this news item alone will hang Thief Justice Corona.
Impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona has called a “hoax” a list of 40 real estate properties he and his kin allegedly own.
And he could be right.
Has anyone bothered to check the breakdown list of the ‘alleged’ 45 properties owned by R Corona and kin?
Check item no 33. TCT No. RT-106747(226256) it is “in the name of National Housing Authority”!
“That list of the LRA [Land Registration Authority] is a total fabrication. It is a hoax,” Corona said.
R Corona refers to 40 (perhaps admitting 5 are spot on), but the Land Registration Authority list contains 45. And it was signed by EULALIO C. DIAZ III Administrator. I do recall R Corona saying in a video clip interview that he was his student, and felt sad about it. Not really sure if he was directly referring to EULALIO C. DIAZ III – the clip was that short.
R Corona’s last available statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) in 2002, only 5 of the 45 are registered. 40 properties a hoax, Corona says
There is a discrepancy here which could result to a technical issue that could favor the defense team. How reliable is the LRA Administrator? Could he actually help the defense of this willful blunder? Or was it just a technical glitch or typing error? If yes, then the whole list could indeed be a hoax?
Sino kaya ang nakuryente dito?
Here are the abs-cbnnews.com web links
- Prosecutors: Coronas amassed 40 properties in 9 years (By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News Posted at 01/12/2012 4:45 PM | Updated as of 01/13/2012 12:20 PM)
- (Click here for list of Corona’s alleged properties. pdf format docu with the scanned fax copy image embedded.)
@mel
Thats common in the Philippines like in buying cars, they do not change the original name of registrant just in case they want to rent or resale the property or car, less paper work, less bribe, easy to cheat on income tax., aside from obvious reason, hiding the source of income. One possibility implied there is # 33 TCT was obtained from LRA because somebody gave the prosecutors a Deed of Absolute Sale and Tax document on that property with Corona as buyer and a third party seller. The prosecutors and LRA officials are not that stupid, they know every tricks because to some of them, its their modus operandi too.Corona answered that way because thats what he thought if it were really his. You were blindsided, how many thousands more like you, thats what Corona was aiming with his press conference, neat eh! We’ll see.
LRA signatory official Atty Bautista, Corona said, he is his student, what he meant for mentioning it is puzzling? If he taught him legal ethics, Then his student learned well while the teacher does not practice what he preaches.
@Johnny lin
Your wrote, “You were blindsided, how many thousands more like you, …”
LOL!
Thanks for that @Johnny lin. This is one thing about what is “… common in the Philippines like in buying cars, they do not change the original name of registrant just in case they want to rent or resale the property or car, less paper work, less bribe, easy to cheat on income tax., aside from obvious reason, hiding the source of income.”
If that practice is that common, doesn’t that become a source of swindling or graft? What if the ‘Deed of Absolute Sale and Tax document on that property with Corona as buyer and a third party seller’ was also manufactured? Any person (Coronas?) of interest (including House Prosecutors) may innocently be a victim of this rort, right?
Does CAVEAT common, allowed or legal in the Phils.?
@mel
Hard earned money, buying properties, every precautionary measures must be observed, despite, being swindled is unavoidable. Corrupted money, they dont care besides same people work in govt so they could short cut paper process. Carnapping is big business because of illegal connivance with govt employees. Even computers are manipulated. Pathetic culture of corruption because it was unabated for decades so same class of people have to maintain lifestyle unaffordable thru legal income. Kids and spouses keeping with other Jones spouses and kids is a big factor of such impunity in Philippine society.
Story in today’s news, QC tax assessor office computer system hacked by own IT tech employees posting paid tax without money remittance but fake receipts issued to Sulu Hotel tax payment.
Another story, Philhealth premium paid by American company for its outsourcing deposited in private accounts by Philhealth employees totalling more than 100 million pesos. Both cases could only happened because top officials are in the caper. That is the formidable task of cleaning government if no big names are not sent to jail as examples.
@Johnny lin
You wrote, “LRA signatory official Atty Bautista”.
The controversial LRA Corona list was signed by EULALIO C. DIAZ III Administrator.
Who is Atty Bautista?
Atty Bautista released all the Deeds according to CJ Corona.
is atty bautista the mario bautista of the prosecution lead lawyer?
if yes, is he too the LRA Signatory official?
sorry máte, kulang ang sukli. trivial question lang. never mind.
Latest news: esguerra admitted only 5 properties inCorona SALN.
Corona will oppose subpoena to his family. WHY, If they are clean? Heres is why they should testify:
Corona in interview yesterday, said the properties in Pasay City/ Paranaque were listed in his son inlaw and daughter names because they were given by inlaws. Accepted, but do the in laws have means to buy all those properties and give them away? Corona has now dragged his in laws into the mess, thay have to testify and show ITR.
ABS CBN news has unearthed a property in Mckinley worth 16 million pesos transferred to Corona daughter in 2008 and another property in 2005 in Makati. Thats Ok, yet the question is did the children have the mean? So show their ITR and income. if Coronas bought them, where they reported in their SALN before transferring, how were they paid? Was the means of payment commensurate to Corona reported income in 2005 & 2008? he does not have to disprove if all 45 properties are legitimate accusations. Corona has to prove that whatever properties acquired by him, spouse, children and in laws were from legitimate income supported by SALN. That is what the accusation is all about, CAN THEY AFFORD LEGALLY BUYING THE PROPERTIES.
Unrelated news but inspirational to exposure crusade of Raissa’s blog:
North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza apprehended 13 LTO officers and agents mulcting motorists and placed them in jail immediately. If governors and mayors start performing and inspired by PNoy, Gov Mendoza and Raissa quest, the people could start believing we could become a great nation again.
Also unemplyment went down by .4% ; not much but good news.
Inquirer discovered 19 properties registered to Corona and children worth 200 million pesos bought from 2004-2010, span of 6 years.
@Johnny lin
You wrote, “Unrelated news but inspirational to exposure crusade of Raissa’s blog”
Where did you read it from @Johnny lin?
That’s good then, hopefully more to follow, and do it for their Whole community and because it is The Right Thing to do with or without publicity.
You also wrote, “… the people could start believing we could become a great nation again.”.
Was the Philippines’ once a great nation?
I don’t recall. We can be a better nation or generation of Filipinos.
What makes a country a ‘great nation’? Lawyer Esguerra might bring it to some forum and ask it to be defined – formally.
——
As for R Corona’s children benefiting from his ‘exploits’, very unfortunate. Difficult to blast tirades on children of an embattled and accused Corrupt Dispenser.
What makes you wonder is how they look at themselves or one another around the family dinner table knowing that … and attends Novenas of some sort as if ‘All is forgiven, and forgotten’ at the confession box to do bigger exploits next time around.
It is the religious mentality of commit, confess, and commit again. No Restitution or remorse.
@Mel
“Was the Philippines’ once a great nation?” – I’m currently reading Rizal’s “The Indolence of the Filipino” and for me the answer to your question is YES. But back then, we were not yet a ‘nation’ per se but mere group of islands ruled by Rajahs. Our downfall started when the Spaniards came and that’s the cost of having the name “Philippines”.
Philippines? Named after a Prince of Spain who died of ?
You rewrote & answered, “‘Was the Philippines’ once a great nation?’ – I’m currently reading Rizal’s “The Indolence of the Filipino” and for me the answer to your question is YES.” Reading your post, you were leading to that we couldn’t have been since the archipelago has Rajahs on as many as 7100 + islands & islets.
I disagree, unless someone debunks me.
Has the nation of 7100 islands ever benefited from the Spanish colonization? What does Rizal’s “The Indolence of the Filipino” say about that?
SORRY FOR THE TROLL Raïssa.
@Mel,
I said we were not yet a ‘nation’ per se….Our downfall started when the Spaniards came and that’s the cost of having the name “Philippines”. . If you are interested in reading The Indolence.., just Google for the English version.
Children of legal age become fair target when they are complicit participants. They could not claim innocence because of the benefits they are enjoying. Those titles could not be transferred without their signatures and they know fully well the father is a government employee with comparable measly salary despite the lofty title.
It just dawned on me, there must be an extended family gathering in the Corona’s household about the impending summons and subpoenas on the ‘kin’ – including in laws.
Should there be a consensus, and if the majority so decides – they might convince Renato to quit or resign to save the disgrace it will fall on the BIGGER FAMILY.
If Renato remains stubborn, he could fight it out – come rain or shine. I guess a collegial census or decision may not eventuate. BUT I HOPE HE’LL REALIZE, TO PUSH THRU OR NOT – A LOT OF DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE.
He’ll just have to cop a lot but not the whole mud – cause it will surely stick.
Perhaps, during the impeachment trial – one of his lawyers might do a broken arrow slip to save face.
Mel, news from Inquirer. Could you attach link,pls?
kung mapatunayang totoo ang lahat ng ito sana ang kayamanan ay nadadala sa kabilang buhay.
Para me extension ang pagpapakasasa kaso di ganon eh di madadala sa hukay pero pagbabayaran sa kabilang buhay.
what these corrupt idiots think is that they are buying a piece of “heaven” here on Earth…what they failed to realize is that once it blows onto their faces..the “HELL” begins.. sa ugali ba naman nating mga Pilipino pagdating sa chismis…wala ka maitatago.. bilib naman ako sa mga documents mo Raissa dear..ang galing! ~(“,)
Salamat sa pagdalaw mo.
Dalaw ako uli, ha.
Maybe there’s a new definition to the phrase, “being paid on installment.” If you’re a high ranking government official, it means something else. If you’re just a lowly Filipino (like me) it literally means hinuhulugan mo pa!
LOL, yes.
From MARICOL: “Maybe there’s a new definition to the phrase, “being paid on installment.” If you’re a high ranking government official, it means something else. If you’re just a lowly Filipino (like me) it literally means hinuhulugan mo pa!”
[ACF again showing his rich Tagalog bokab]…. Maricol, hija, the NOW
From MARICOL: “Maybe there’s a new definition to the phrase, “being paid on installment.” If you’re a high ranking government official, it means something else. If you’re just a lowly Filipino (like me) it literally means hinuhulugan mo pa!”
[ACF again showing his rich Tagalog bokab]…. Maricol, hija, the current term for INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS is “PAIYAKAN”.
@august
Akala ko “Indian” yung nakapayongsa publiko; sa teachers, tama ka
Today, friggatriskaidekaphobia, Friday the 13th, more bad karma to Corona camp.
First, Enrile ruled that there is no need for pre trial conference requested by Corona lawyers.
Second, Enrile ruled that charges could be amended in the middle of the trial as long as the House voted on it and bring back to Senate unless the majority of senators oppose the amendment.
Third, Esguerra, one of new lawyers of Corona, is asking for the definition of “betrayal of public trust” claiming it has never been defined and their action is not dilatory. Abogado ito, general counsel daw ng IBP. Sino ang boss ni PNoy, publiko. sino ang boss ni Chief Justice, publiko. Sino ang amo ng katulong, mayari ng bahay .kung baga, katulong si CJ. Kapag inutusan ng amo ang katulong na bumili ng pagkain at tuwing uuwi kulang ang sukli, 19 beses na, sasabihin ng amo, wala nakong tiwala sa iyo dahil sa gawain mo. Si CJ 19 times bumoto kampi kay GMA na hindi makatarungan, sabi ng boss, wala na kaming tiwala sa iyo pa-impeach ka namin. Betrayal of public trust not understood by general counsel of all lawyers and claimed his request was not dilatory tactic. Pro bono kasi, they dont care if their action is ridiculed and moronic. They are forgetting their client is the chief justice of the judiciary. They are inadvertently demonizing Corona to the public.
Former Justice Undersecretary Ramon Esguerra motive for defending CJ R Corona.
“This is a challenge of a lifetime as far as I’m concerned. I have two sons and I want to leave them a legacy that they can be proud of–that I stood my ground in defense of the Constitution and of the highest official of the judiciary.”
It doesn’t sound much convincing whether he believes R Corona is innocent or not of the charges laid in the Articles of Impeachment.
He wants to be part of history, for pride and joy, a legacy to his sons.
In defense of justice?
“Let me just assure everyone that we will do everything legal, valid and, of course, Constitutional that will protect the rights of the Chief Justice and in so doing, we are not protecting the Chief Justice per se alone, but we are protecting the Constitution and the institution,” he said.
Two different matters, the person R Corona and the Judiciary Branch.
R Corona as Chief Justice fell short of the higher calling of the office.
Nothings wrong with the Constitution – it is the performance of the person holding the office of Chief Justice.
FYI, I tried to interview two of the lawyers whose names were earlier announced as part of CJ Corona’s defense team.
I kept calling both.
Both were always “in conference” or “had stepped out of the office.”
I even left my name and phone number.
For reporters, that’s a big hint saying – we don’t want to talk to you.
I’m still waiting for a spokesman to be named so I can talk to him.
Hi Raïssa,
Not very encouraging isn’t it?
it is now that R Corona needs to desperately communicate directly with the media outlets since it may be his last hurrah before the trial starts. And it takes time for the news stream to gather pace and change people’s opinion of him and controversy surrounding the upcoming impeachment trial.
According to former Justice Undersecretary Ramon Esguerra , “It will still be Justice Serafin Cuevas who will be our lead, primary spokesperson for the defense team. Atty. Tranquil Salvador and myself, and even my former student Karen Jimeno will only be there momentarily… Karen will remain a spokesperson because she is not part of the defense team at the moment.”
Let’s try doing a blog paging.
Rening, could you KINDLY please advise your assigned media spokesperson to accommodate Ms Raïssa Robles’ request to interview any of them ASAP.
It is high time that your side of this House & Judiciary crisis be given ample and quality time to broadcast your side of the story saga before the impeachment trial starts. We are aware of the sensitivities of questions and answers from an interview, and that could derail or peril your chances for dismissal or acquittal in the impeachment trial.
However, if you wish to win POLITICAL public support during this crisis period, this is the time to accommodate Ms Raïssa Robles to interview your side thru your designate media spokesperson(s). She is a well respected and a professional journalist that could best report your first hand circumstances directly to your countrymen, Filipinos both nationally and overseas.
Thank you.
——————-
Raïssa, I hope that helps.
Thanks.
Let’s see
Raissa, I believe those lawyers are NOT just trying to avoid you. They are BOUND by oath as LAWYERS TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY AND THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE INFORMATION INVOLVING THEIR CLIENT. Have you seen or watch the movie called “The Firm” ? Remember when Tom Cruise finished law school and passed the bar exams? At the end of their convocation, all the lawyers stood up and raised their right hand and under OATH, they pledged and promised to protect and uphold the law profession by keeping the secrets of their client. See an example oath below from the State of Louisiana :
I solemnly swear (or affirm) I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Louisiana;
I will maintain the respect due to courts of justice and judicial officers;
I will not counsel or maintain any suit or proceeding which shall appear to me to be unjust, nor any defense except such as I believe to be honestly debatable under the law of the land;
I will employ for the purpose of maintaining the causes confided to me such means only as are consistent with truth and honor, and will never seek to mislead the judge or jury by an artifice or false statement of fact or law;
I will maintain the confidence and preserve inviolate the secrets of my client, and will accept no compensation in connection with a client’s business except from the client or with the client’s knowledge and approval;
I will abstain from all offensive personality, and advance no fact prejudicial to the honor or reputation of a party or witness, unless required by the justice of the cause with which I am charged;
I will never reject, from any consideration personal to myself, the cause of the defenseless or oppressed, or delay any person’s cause for lucre or malice.
So help me God.
This is why I say Tupas was NOT a lawyer. He does NOT even know the rules or etiquette of court proceedings. When a lawyer makes this oath, he duly obligated to follow it or he will be dis-barred and will never be allowed to practice law again in the country. Remember in the movie “The Firm” when Tom Cruise was being pressured by the FBI to testify against the MOB (mafia) and he just could not agree with them because he knows that once he discloses information about his client, he ends his career as a lawyer (attorney-client priviledge). This does not apply to situations where a lawyer knows that a crime is taking place. However, in Corona’s situation, it is possible there was NO CRIME that even took place hence, the lawyers cannot reveal this information neither.
That is why I know if you have a lawyer that likes to talk a lot and likes to reveal information that he is NOT suppose to, especially information concerning you and your life? Fire him right away because that is not a lawyer. That is Apeng Daldal and you are just going to lose a court case.
They were named as spokesmen, you know, for CJ Corona.
If they are part of the defense team, the most you can get are just general statements but no real in-depth information that is crucial to their defense. Needless to say, you will get nothing.
Fr: Idol RICKY DE LA TORRE: “If they are part of the defense team, the most you can get are just general statements but no real in-depth information that is crucial to their defense. Needless to say, you will get nothing.”
Tama ka dito, Idol. All Raissa will get are crumbs. Waste of time, effort.
@Ricky
Bakit naman puro antique yung mga reference points mo? 1920 na lupa, Apeng Daldal (pagpalain nawa), the Firm.
Sabi nga ni @Augusto bago na:.The Fort na ang Lupa, Ogie Diaz o Vice Ganda yung comedian at Lincoln Lawyer na yung movie
Baka di mo alam lawyer ang father ni Raissa
Fr MY OTHER IDOL ABOVE: “@Ricky Bakit naman puro antique yung mga reference points mo? 1920 na lupa, Apeng Daldal (pagpalain nawa), the Firm. Sabi nga ni @Augusto bago na:.The Fort na ang Lupa, Ogie Diaz o Vice Ganda yung comedian at Lincoln Lawyer na yung movie Baka di mo alam lawyer ang father ni Raissa.”
Uunga. Baka mamya nandyan na sina barrister Clarence Darrow, comic Robert Benchley at Louisiana Purchasers pa! HAHAHA!
Ibig mong sabihin si Tupas comedian pala. hehehehe
Di ba Clarence Thomas, Peter Benchley at Gadsden Purchase he he he!
@mel, baltazar, saxnviolins
Want something intriguing to read: Philippine Daily Inquirer Opinion section, exchanges between De Quiroz and Joker Arroyo.
I think I read it days ago.
something about a letter from the joker, … was it a Joke? He’s still a Joke.
I’ll read again sometime later.
Thanks mate!
Sabi ni Igan JOHNNY lin: “Di ba Clarence Thomas, Peter Benchley at Gadsden Purchase he he he! @mel, baltazar, saxnviolins Want something intriguing to read: Philippine Daily Inquirer Opinion section, exchanges between De Quiroz and Joker Arroyo.” NAH! I meant Clarence DARROW, the famed lawyer; ROBERT Benchley, the portly columnist/comedian of yore; and LOUISIANA Purchasers…. Johnny, ilalaban ko ng patayan yan, HAHAHAHA! Google o Wiki mo, if you want. And if you insist on YOURS, magkikita tayo sa PLAZA MIRANDA. Tomorrow. High Noon. Armalite o Granada? Your call.
@august
Nahawa ka na kay ricky, antique na plaza miranda Edsa na.
Pinamimigay na ni Corona yung 45 properties niya, san kaya pwedeng pumila?
hindi raw siya magnanakaw pareho ng iba. Si GMA at FG, Abalos, Mendoza siguro tukoy niya. Sino pa ba, dahil sila lang naman nakasuhan ng graft lately. Sa bibig na rin niya nanggaling ang pagnakaw ni GMA
Fr JOHNNY lin somewhere around here: “august Nahawa ka na kay ricky, antique na plaza miranda Edsa na. Pinamimigay na ni Corona yung 45 properties niya, san kaya pwedeng pumila? hindi raw siya magnanakaw pareho ng iba. Si GMA at FG, Abalos, Mendoza siguro tukoy niya. Sino pa ba, dahil sila lang naman nakasuhan ng graft lately. Sa bibig na rin niya nanggaling ang pagnakaw ni GMA.”
Igan, Plaza Miranda is REALLY antique. Bcoz it’s already classic. All classics tho antiques never grow old. Till now, if you cannot depend it in Plaza Miranda, dapat mag-Mercedes Gutierrez ka na lang. U know, RESIGN! Hehehe. [Paging a Thief Justice out there!]
BTW , nde magnanakaw ung mga binanggit mo sa itaas. Ang lahat ng yaman nila ay galing sa kanilang sariling pawis. Mantak mo ipinawis ng mga kumag na yan nung niluluto nila ung mga nefarious deals na un! HAHAHA!
CORRECTOL, from my post below: “if you cannot depend it in Plaza Miranda….” s/b “if you cannot DEFEND it in Plaza Miranda….” Sorry. Fast fingers! [Baka makalusot!]
Kapampangan ka pareho ni GMA “depend”
@Johnny Lin
. What used to be the “little president” during Cory’s time has now the Silence of the Lambs – baka kasi mabuko kapag nag ingay pa. I was amused when SenJo used the term “mullosks” when in fact not all mullosks stick and much to that, some produce pearls when get irritated. Too bad for him, Conrad produced a black pearl so solid and big enough to sling him like Goliath. SenJo, hindi mullosks, dapat barnacles para specific. Barnacles silently crawls and settles in our plant’s cooling system (using sea water). Hindi mo namamalayan, malaki na pala sila at fouled na ang system mo. Senjo , parang ikaw yun. Hindi alam ng mga taong laging kalam ang “kasmura” (sikmura) kung ano ka na ngayon at kung sino ang kinakapitan mo ngayon.Conrad is right, you are a Joke.
Thanks mate. I’ve just gone through their word wars and I had to duck down otherwise I will get hit by the mud-slingings
@ baltazar
Funny, Joker has a point on The Rub during Marcos time. He should have explained his role because now is the right time, his alibi is flimsy, adding more to his military dossier. At his age, so what!
@baltazar
Currently the phenomenon in sports in US is Football quarterback Tebow, who grew up doing charitable works with his parents in the Philippines. He plans to put put up a hospital in Davao with his foundation. He speaks fluent Tagalog, btw. Amazing was his recent game stats: his favorite quote in Bible is John 3:16. His stats on his recent win have exact 316 numbers in yardage, passing percentage and time duration of the game. Coincidence or Divine intervention?
Going back to Joker and the Rub, same question coincidence or intervention?
Joker has been Sen Arroyo nickname since public exposure. Now the word JOKER is aptly applied to his principles.
Heres The Rub is title of the column of Conrad De Quiroz. According to Joker and other knowledgeables, he was the main speechwriter of Marcos before martial law.
His condo was one of Marcos finest housing development in terms of location, right behind Trinoma/ SM EDSA area. There were of course vicious rumors he got RUB with Marcos wealth in a small way considering to belong among militant activists sworn to spartan life.
Sorry, i mean DURING martial law
@Johnny Lin,
You must know more mate..Contemporary ko si Kris Aquino so I’m probably almost a generation behind you LOLs.. Seriously, I don’t know much about the martial law “dark days”. My father was just a kaminero at the Ministry of Public Works & Highways and talking about the political situation of the country was a taboo in the family. The most important was the kanin and ulam in the dining table. The star fruit became so famous during Coy’s time because of a host of political turncoats that surfaced. You mentioned coincidences, Well, de Quiroz with Marcos and now “sticking” to PNoy led me think why Teddy Boy Locsin Jr is so critical of PNoy nowadys – when everybody knows ( as mentioned also by Raissa) that he was Cory’s speech writer. De Quiroz might have found a place in PNoy’s heart to be his speech writer(?) and in return, the son has to junk his mother’s .. just an imagination though
E kaya nga sinabi ko na paalala lang. Lawyers are bound by oath with the “attorney-client priviledge”. You cannot extract information from that priviledge kasi strictly confidential information yan between client and attorney. 1920′s na lupa is the same lupa as today. Except that valuation changed. As for the comedian, I cannot refer to any comedian that is popular today that I know who is known to be carrying a monicker of a “gossiper” or “daldalero”. A lawyer is definitely NOT a “daldalero” hehehehe
@Ricky De La TorreORO
You commented and included a ‘… example oath … from the State of Louisiana’.
Nice one.
If all public officials, elected and appointed, do take their oaths of office literally, conscientiously and faithfully, regardless of what country and type of democratic gov’t they reside in & serve at, would you think the Philippines would find itself embroiled in a political crisis like it is experiencing today?
If stewards of a public office do live, eat, sleep and work faithfully to their entrusted duties of their office in the service for their constituents, would any one question the term of their tenure of office or appointment?
Definitely, people who are satisfied with their public servants would aspire their good stewards to stay longer, even for life.
Parang katulong sa bahay, kung ang taong bahay na pinagkatiwala mo sa mga buhay ng mga anak mo, sa mga nakakatandang mga magulang mo, pulido sa pamamaraan ng pag ayos at pag silbi sa lahat ng mga nakatira, nagdadala ng grasya sa buhay at kalusugan ng bawa’t isa. AYAW mo ng paalisin, bibigyan mo pa lagi ng umento, ibibilang mo na parte pa ng pamilya mo, habang buhay mo pa siyang gustong makasama.
And maybe, if that can happen or made possible, we may no longer need a single written Constitution. Like the United Kingdom of Great Britain – no single written constitution. They have a perfect and robust parliamentary form of gov’t. To which Canada is a commonwealth country of the United Kingdom.
Suwerte mo expatriate.
@mel
I am in fact going back to the philippines to live there due to family reasons. My mother is getting old and is ill. Her mental faculties are deteriorating. It would be best for her to live her remaining golden years in the Philippines where she is close to family and other relatives. We are still entitled to collect our Canadian Pension anyways in the Philippines so she will be alright with me and my sisters looking out for her best interest.
Getting back to the subject, it is exactly why I think there is just a cover up of everyone else and why Corona is being targeted as someone else said, they are making an example of Corona now. It isn’t really why he violated any laws because as well all know there are others too that have done this that are presently in office. Here is an example of a cover up. It was some editorial I found recently :
Here is another case where the administration of justice may be derailed.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken over the investigation and resolution of a syndicated estafa case still being investigated by the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office. The complainants, two Mandaluyong City-based companies, are questioning the motive of the DOJ.
Earlier, a complaint was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against two executives of Omico Corporation, Tommy Kin Hing Tia and Juana Lourdes Buyson, for obstruction of justice. The NBI filed the complaint against Tia and Buyson for their alleged failure to obey the legal process in connection with the syndicated estafa complaint filed last year by Guevent Investments Development Corp. (GIDC) and Honeycomb Builders Inc. (HBI) against Tia, Buyson and other Omico executives.
A little background: On Sept. 26, 1995, a joint-venture agreement was entered into by GIDC and HBI, on the one hand, and Omico on the other, to develop parcels of real estate owned by GIDC and HBI along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati. Omico was to construct the condominiums.
Omico raised, through a public offering, P250 million to be used exclusively to develop the mixed-use condos. However, the amount was instead diverted to other projects and can no longer be accounted for. The amount went to Omico Kapital Inc., a subsidiary firm, only to be loaned back to Omico without interest.
It is not only the two partners asking where the money went but also the thousands of small investors who bought shares in Omico’s public offering. A publicly listed corporation, Omico’s board chair is Antonio Lopa, a relative of President Aquino.
Alberto Gaviola, legal counsel of GIDC and HBI, said in a letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the NBI investigation was going smoothly before the Aquino administration took over. After the Aquino takeover, however, Omico executives began snubbing subpoenas issued by the NBI.
The case was filed on Nov. 22, 2010, by the NBI with the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office but, curiously, was docketed with the Guevaras of Guevent as complainants. Gaviola told the investigating fiscal, Nestle A. Go, that the complainant was the NBI, not the Guevaras.
Gaviola said the DOJ takeover was improper. It is only after the resolution of a case by the prosecutor that the DOJ may take over a case for resolution, he said.
See what I mean? If you do dig hard enough, you can find some dirt on Pnoy’s side too. The sad part is Corona is made the scapegoat out of everything including everyone else’s crime.
Here it is again –
You copied the last half portion of Neal Cruz’ column.
You should say so when you do that, you know.
There is I think a new term for this.
Blog plagiarist.
Up to you madam to filter out the entry.
@mel I did mention this that I SAW this piece from Another paper and cut and pasted it. That was I posted. You can read it again.
I think what Raïssa was alluding to was acknowledging your source.
Especially that you ‘cut and paste’ that “last half portion of Neal Cruz” column of love. It was that long, considering it is word for word, sentence by sentence.
As a suggestion, embrace your exact quotations with tight quotation marks, that way seasoned readers would know that it was picked up err pulled from somewhere that you NEED to acknowledge.
Although its nice to browse you comment, can you keep it short. Thanks.
Ang haba kasi nila – balikbayan.
At best, you must credit Raïssa too since she has a sharp memory that she was able to unearth your source TWICE – with out you naming the pimp, sorry my mistake – I mean the original writer. She thought she had to raise the red flag on the second dump.
If you could be so nice to Raïssa, she can share some journalistic ‘creative writing’ tips she has honed over the years. Not only can you comment on her excellent pieces, but learn a lot too.
Bob’s your uncle.
13th Commandment: THOU SHALL NOT COVET THY NEIGHBOR’S WORDS!
Or at least use quotation marks, ’2pid!
To paraphrase GMA: “It’s the Economy of Work, STUPIDent!
Sorry about that Raissa. I did not read Neal’s comment on this page but yes, I did see this editorial from another paper and just “copied and pasted” it. Kasi nga it appears always one sided ang mga comment when I could easily tell, the case is not even. Madami din anomalies si Pnoy. It just happens that he currently the one in power now. I remember when GMA was still president and in the first few years, wala pang lumalaban sa kanya. In the end, all her enemies then started to really push her down. I think we will see the same thing with Pnoy. It is still early in the game and he has been in power for only a year and a half. Wait until the last two years and things will change.
Defending as a “devil’s advocate”, Corona chose to defend instead of resigning; why?
1. He knew the prosecutors have the goods on him and family on the vast properties, 45 by prosecutor and 19 properties verified by Philippine Daily Inquirer.
2. Keeping his CJ position, he will have at his disposal the SC logistics including its spokesman, Midas Marquez and support, real or apparent by SC employees
3. Keeping CJ, lawyers and judges would still fear his clout and presence in CJ
4. Savings from paying lawyers instead of pro bono.
5. He could try wining the public support with easy access to media
If he resigns, he could still face corrupt charges with Ombudsman after resignation or convictionanyway; his unexplained wealth would be revealed.His back was on the wall so he did not have recourse except to fight. By trying to win public support with the assistance from court personnel, he could improve his public persona credibility and dispel notions of corrupt ways. The novena was a public relation ploy rather than sincere religious fervor.
In case of impeachment acquittal he could continue his cry of depending the consttitution for at least a year, when another charge could be filed again for another round of impeachment.
Inisip niya masisira narin lang ang karangalan namin pamilya kahit saan ako bumaling, lalabanan ko na. The worst that could happen with this decision on conviction, the people will condemn him and his family much worst than the present time. His answer to that, So What!
Really…. proven once more… that biblical truth…. “Money, or the love of it, is the root of all evils.”
This is understandable, in a society where MONEY IS GOD! ALL HAIL TO MOOLAH!!
@august
The other day, did you see the picture of Mrs Corona crying on the shoulder of CJ after the mass? You know why, nobody did the moolah collection during the mass
As usual, you’re right on their god.
One Senator-Judge who will be sorely missed from the proceedings of the Senate Impeachment is Senator Loren Legarda.
Sen. Loren Legarda on Tuesday said she will be unable to attend the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona this week because she is caring for her 78-year-old nanny in the United States.
“[S]he said she requested for a leave of absence from January 16 to 19, 2012.”
It was for a humane and very touching reason why the Senator needs to look after her dearest nanny, 78-year-old ‘Nanay’ Felicidad Bagayas, in her time of need for True, Love & Care (TLC).
‘[M]y nanay has been a most loyal, hardworking and loving Ilocana, who selflessly took care of me from birth and my sons too. For over 60 years, she has devoted her life for my family and has become a second mother to me,” she wrote the Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
The Senator must have been blessed that she calls her as her second mother (nanay) for taking care of her since birth, including the Senator’s sons before she needed a life saving operation in the US.
I hope the best and get well soon nanay Felicidad.
@mel
We are not lawyers but we are flabbergasted on the media releases of Corona lawyers. Its all legalese for public consumption, “we will do everything that is valid, legal and constitutional that will protect the rights of our client and institution” How about the curiosity of law students and young lawyers, how could they learn from their expertise? To silence once and for all unnecessary speculations and to support the written impeachment answer on the condo at the same time embarass the prosecutors, just release the “mortgage loan paper or installment contract” or say something about it. A public relation move that will garner public sympathy because its the truth. Without such action, inevitably the public would speculate two things: no installment loan exists and they are trying to manufacture fake documents.
Its Raissa’s fault for exposing the lie on the condo payment, that is why 2 lawyers withdrew and they are refusing her request for interview
Ikaw kasi Raïssa.
But you had to work on scoops that are of national interest and AS THEY COME, right?
Professional, balance reporter, works for an international news bureau (?), marunong, maganda, anu pa?
At least gusto ni Raïssa na ma-interview ang side ni R Corona para kahit papaano – e balance ang reporting niya.
Halos lahat ng commenters at readers ni Raïssa ay for impeachment – anti R Corona.
Iilan lang, gaya ni @Leon – baka bayaran pa siya.
KAYA DAPAT LANG NA BIGYAN NG MALAWAKANG IMPORMASYON ANG libu-libong MAMBABASA NI Raïssa sa pamamagitan ng first-hand interview mula sa mga opisyal na tagapagsalita ni R Corona. Hindi rin tama halos lahat ng articles ay ukol sa kamalian ni R Corona. May good side at may katotohanan din ang tao na isinusukol. Tao pa rin si C Renato at may pinag aralan kahit papaano.
Maganda ang adhikain din ni Raïssa.
SANA PAGBIGYAN SIYA.
With all this craps, just get the property appraise by license people for its true market value and tax it from there.That’s how we do it here, it don’t matter who owns the property..It don’t matter how much you paid for it. The current market value is where your tax will be base upon, period..All properties are subject to review and tax are adjusted accordingly..Every single person of legal age should file their income tax every year, employed or not..NO EXCEPTION!!!!This is very important to know for the government the true state of the economy and how the government is doing on distributing its wealth to the people…Only in the Philippines I hear all kinds of manipulations and tax evasion cases from the very rich and government officials. This all pure bullshit, corruption to the max..To boot from SC justice like Corona, ?. It don’t say much about the justice system of the country huh?..Every single government officials should be investigated of their assets then..There is something terribly wrong with the BIR . How in the world the country survive with this kind of attack?..WOW..
I think there is an exception for those who had bought their properties a long time ago. And what I was told it was a grandfathering approach to property taxes. In the late 1920′s and early 1930′s, an area here in Toronto (Canada) was nothing more than farmland and riding stables for the wealthy. It had huge hectares of land tracks owned by the wealthiest in the country. Then they decided to subdivide it and sell off huge tracks of land for housing developements.
The Bridle Path was little more than farmland until 1929, when the Bayview Bridge was constructed across the steep (West Branch) Don River Valley. It was at that point that the area was first considered for residential development. Forsey Page, a Toronto-based land developer, envisioned the Bridle Path as an “exclusive enclave of estate homes” and he built the neighbourhood’s first home, a Cape Cod Colonial style home at 2 The Bridle Path. This house is credited as the catalyst for the development of the neighbourhood.
The Bridle Path upscale residential neighbourhood in the former city of North York, now part of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that is characterized by large multi-million dollar mansions and two to four acre (8,000 to 16,000 m²) lot sizes. It is often referred to as “Millionaires’ Row”. It is the most affluent neighbourhood in Canada by household income, as well as property values.
In 1937, developer E.P. Taylor, who designed the Don Mills community, purchased a large plot of land north of the Bridle Path. In the late forties, Taylor’s business partner George Montegu Black, Jr (father of Conrad Black) moved into the area and built a large mansion on Park Lane Circle. In an effort to control who his future neighbours would be, Black took over the company that owned the rolling farmland that was to become the Bridle Path, and set restrictions in place through the North York zoning by-laws — Only single-family dwellings could be built, with a minimum lot size of 2 acres (0.81 ha). The area was subdivided into approximately 50 lots, each selling for $25,000 at the time, and began to take shape throughout the fifties.
The street’s name is frequently misspelled as “The Bridal Path” by those who are unfamiliar with the history of the area. The actual “Bridle Path” name came about as early plans for the neighbourhood included an elaborate system of equestrian bridle paths, as most of the estate owners in the area preceding its development were horse-owners. While the paths have since been paved over, their legacy remains in the Bridle Path’s wide streets and in the name of this elite community.
The Bridle Path has been home to prominent Toronto business people, celebrities and doctors. Media mogul Moses Znaimer used to call The Bridle Path home, while computer businessman Robert Herjavec, former newspaper baron and convicted businessman Conrad Black, and Celine Dion still own a home in The Bridle Path area. Prince was said to have purchased a home in the Bridle Path for $5.5 million, although his recent divorce, concert tour rigours, and weight loss have meant few sightings of him. “Casino King of Macau” Stanley Ho owns a home on High Point road, which was purchased in 1987 for a record $5.5 million dollars and now is currently worth $27 million CAD in 2012. That is how the price of real estate goes up because of the way the location and the area is developed. I bought a condo near this area in 2000 and now just recently sold it because I am going back to the Philippines. Yes, I made some money from the sale but I could have sold my condo unit for more money.
By the way, I forgot to say that those who have acquired their houses back in the late 40′s or early 50′s may have paid only a small price for their homes which are worth a million dollars now. They bought it for $150,000 back then but are worth much more now because the land value also rose. However, during that time, the owners were still young and were employed. They were still making money but now these people are older and retired. They certainly can’t afford to pay the taxes on their homes which they already paid for and acquired several decades earlier. So in order for these people to afford their property taxes, they are given a grandfathered rate that as long as the property is still in the name of the original owner, the property tax will not go up to today’s rate and will be pegged at the owners affordability and retirement income. Once the property is sold, (principal home owners here in Canada do not get Taxes on Capital gains on their property as long as they were living in it) then the new property tax rate applies to the new owners. That is what they call granfathering. After all, these older home owners were the original owners and have maintained their property as well as contributed and paid their taxes through all those years so they are given a tax break. It is the new owners where the new tax rates apply.
Ricky, what has this Toronto’s grandfathering tax cases related to Thief Justice Corona’s 2009 condo acquisition?
Corona’s a brand new Megaworld development and not related to decades long property ownership.
Thanks for your historical input, though.
Not related but in the Philippines, something like this I believe exists. My father acquired his home and properties prior to 1970. Latest one we had was land bought in 1970 but the house was purchased in 1965. The value of the land and property has increased since then and depending on the areas development and growth, the property values have risen dramatically. When my father retired I know his retirement salary package if measured against the value of the property when he was still alive 4 years ago won’t be enough to pay for taxes, expenses and his personal well-being. Considering that prices in every sector has risen 10 to 50 times more than when it was before when he was still working, it would be impossible for him to hang on to all his properties unless there was some sort of grandfathering type of tax subsidy for original owners who have acquired their property a long time ago. But for Mr. Corona, the jump from 14.5 million to 42 million in less than 5 years (he bought it in 2008?) then it’s 3 times it’s original purchase value, But if we did factor in the tremendous discount he got, it might have been valued higher at the time of purchase but he just bought it on a sweetheart deal. My issue is that anyone could get a discount regardless of what anyone said. I could get a good discount plus more if I knew the realtor broker who is selling a property and he also gave me his employee discount. It is possible to acquire property at 50% discount during forclosures as well or default from previous buyers. I am not sure what the situation was with Corona but I do know that it is possible. Discounts could be given to anyone depending on the time, place and circumstances.
If you are the owner , will you sell the property lower than it’s market value? Likewise, the increase in market value of a lot corresponds to a decrease in value of the house which depreciates over time.
It depends on the situation. I was in a situation where I had to sell my unit for only $360,000 but it is on average valued at $395,0000 dollars. I lost $35,000 because I have family issues that must come first and have to go back to the Philippines. Im hoping though with some other people’s help to recupe my loss from that deal and find me a good investment in the Philippines para makabawi ako. I know in a few years, that unit I sold will be in the half a million dollar range already if not more. Di bale, babawi na lang ako sa Pinas, Madami naman akong kakampi sa pinas eh. hehehehe
From my idol RICKY: “It depends on the situation. I was in a situation where I had to sell my unit for only $360,000 but it is on average valued at $395,0000 dollars. I lost $35,000 because I have family issues that must come first and have to go back to the Philippines. Im hoping though with some other people’s help to recupe my loss from that deal and find me a good investment in the Philippines para makabawi ako. I know in a few years, that unit I sold will be in the half a million dollar range already if not more. Di bale, babawi na lang ako sa Pinas, Madami naman akong kakampi sa pinas eh. hehehehe.”
Well, DALIAN MO, IDOL! PARA UMABOT KA DUN SA IPAMIMIGAY NI CORONA! HAHAHAHA! AYUN NA SINA MEL AT JOHNNY, NAKAPILA NA! HEHEHEHE!!
OCCUPY CORONA’S ILL GOTTEN WEALTH
uu nga eh August. hehehehe nagmamadali na nga at baka pakyawin na ng iba lahat ng mga on “SALE” na meron malaking discounts. hehehehe Parang Boxing Day sale dito sa Toronto. Here in Toronto on Dec. 26 which is the day after Christmas, all the stores have a “Boxing Day’ sale with huge discounts on practically everything. 50% to even 80% off ticketed price. But it’s a first come, first serve deal. If you come late, mauubusan ka ng stock. hehehehe That is why some people come as early as midnight and just wait until the stores open at 05:00 AM (they open that early just on Boxing Day because of the expected rush of people shopping).
Ricky, meron ding BOXING DAY sale sa Tate. Sa Nuyok nga kahit na mga Wall Street honchos/Ponzi schemers e nakikipagtulakan sa bargains, hahaha! Hanap ko nga sina Milken at Maldorf and some such greedy critters eh. Gusto kong DUKUTAN lang naman! SHARE THE WEALTH, PLEASE!
Will you sell it at $197,500.00? Half of the market value.
I don’t dictate the market value price and I have a real estate agent who does the listing for me. For a small fry like myself, obviously I would not sell it for half the market value. The market value at the time was $395,000.00 at the low end. The high end, it is valued at $445,000.00 and I sold it for $360,000 because as per statistics and advise of my real estate broker, it was winter and after the holidays when the market is very slow. Had I sold this in the summer, I would be able to sell it around $400,000 maybe more. A $197,500.00 will get you a one – bedroom in a different part of Toronto and not as posh as my neighborhood. I live by Bayview Village and Sheppard Ave. very close to the Bridle Path area. Most of the houses here are in the $700,000 to $1.2 million dollar range and that’s just a regular middle class house. A $500,000 dollar house here is a 2 bedroom, one bath house with a sq footage of 1,200 sq FEET not SQ METRES. very small and it’s also a fixer upper meaning the house is NOT new and might need renovations.
There are new townhouses that I have been seeing near my street that are being constructed and the starting price for the townhouses are in the $600,000.00 dollar range and up. They are much larger with an average size of 1,800 SQ FT. Further down near Bridle Path, the Townhouses being constructed there are pure luxury and the prices are between $1.5 million to start (located by Bayview Ave and York Mills Road) and the ones beside the Bridle Path which are $2 million to start and up. And those are just TOWNHOUSES not the mansions at the Bridle Path.
Do you think Megaworld have financial problem ? Kaya binenta ang unit ng half the market value.
Megaworld has a lot of projects going on. They may have some issues for sure. One thing is that there are too many projects of luxury condos and houses in the Philippines but the average income of people there is so small it is impossible for an average person of average means to purchase them. 2nd, although there are foreigners that may buy a few of these so called homes being sold, the ratio between supply and the demand is so big. The demand is not as big as the supply. Look at all the projects they have there – Portofino, Ayala Greenfield Estates, South Forbes City in Laguna, Trump, Century City Gramercy , Azure, Aqua, Milano Residences, Mahogany Place, Courtyards of Portofino, Raffles Residences, the new condos in Newport City, Ayala Westgrove Heights, Nuvali, Santierra, South Lake Village at Eton City, 68 Roces, SM Residences, etc etc and that’s just in the Metro Manila and Laguna Area. There are some in Baguio, Batangas, Bataan, Cebu, Davao, etc etc. Yes, there is a huge population in the Philippines around 95 million people. But how many people in the Philippines make the equivalent of at least $50,000 dollars ? How many of them make over $100,000 dollars? Yes, there are Balikbayans and OFWs but is their income enough to sustain this real estate growth? A lot of these projects are overpriced when compared to the condos we have here in Toronto alone. Considering the fact that now they are warning in Toronto and Vancouver that there might be an oversupply of condominiums and townhouses in both cities and that supply might outstrip demand. In the law of economics, if there is enough supply, and less demand (because of affordability), then prices tend to go down. This is what I see in the Philippines now. The demand is NOT there. The demand to WISH I could afford a place like that is there among those working people but their salaries cannot afford a home like that. The majority of people in the Philippines can barely feed their families and buy basic neccessities of life. I see a lot of them carrying expensive cell phones, maybe laptops, buying nice big LCD screen TVs and blue-ray DVD players but that is about all they can afford. You don’t see the majority of filipinos buying homes in posh areas. It’s the 5% rich of the Philippines that can do that. The rest will have to just settle for sub-standard housing which the government claims is adequate but in fact in Canada, it would be called a ghetto or slums. This is why I think in some cases, these developers are in serious trouble if they don’t smarten up and try to price their units to match the average workers salary per year. It’s a matter of common sense for these people. Do I live in a nice place and NOT eat and buy clothes I need and a phone so my employer can contact me, OR do I live in a ghetto type dwelling but I can eat at least 3 times a day, have decent clothes to wear to work and have a phone so that my employer can contact me if I need to do overtime. Someone better open their eyes because what is happening is, FOREIGNERS and NOT Filipinos are owning properties in the Philippines. It’s like a LEGAL way to COLONIZE the Philippines and it’s people. FOREIGNERS retire there, buy the posh properties and the subservient pinoys work for them at slave wages. Do you think the Philippines is truly free and independent NOW? The Majority of Pinoys work for peanuts. We are still a COLONY of Europeans and America as well as the Japanese and Chinese. Open your eyes. And you thought we got liberated from being a Spanish Colony by the Americans? LOL We are still a COLONY except it is done in a LEGAL way. Until a good majority of the filipinos can afford to buy these so called properties themselves (I mean filipinos who live there and NOT ex-pat pinoys who live in the US or Europe or Australia or Canada) then I still consider the Philippines a COLONY of FOREIGN INVESTMENT.
Wala akong comment sa mga sagot mo. Pero di mo ma-Getz yong ibig kong ipahiwatid sa mga tanong ko.
Fr a poster to my idol RICKY DE LA TORRE: “Ricky, what has this Toronto’s grandfathering tax cases related to Thief Justice Corona’s 2009 condo acquisition? Corona’s a brand new Megaworld development and not related to decades long property ownership. Thanks for your historical input, though.”
Siyanga naman, Idol. Enough of THAT! Hew close to homeground. MAKATI. TAGUIG. SAPANG PALAY. You Canadian examples/thingies are as far from Metro Manila as Pluto is to Venus! HAHAHAHA! Enough with those suppositions, conjectures, non-applicable, far-from-MetroManila realities. Nakakaumay na!
———— distracting
Soooo glad I discovered you raissa.. I can’t call them blogs.. I say TRUITH!! Thanks again.. Im now a follower LOL…
Thanks, Edgar.
Keep coming back and pls tell your friends and relatives about this blog . I’d really appreciate it.
@ Raissa
Bakit nawala na sa abs-cbn news headline ang news mo na “14 million corona penthouse is a STEAL” nagtataka lang ako? sino kaya kumuha? sayang madali kasing mabasa doon at sarap ulit ulitin basahin mga kasinungalingan ni corona? LOL …saka mga readers mo ay bilib na bilib sa makatutuhanang pagkakasulat mo… GOD SPEED…
I agree with most of the comments here. thanks raissa for bringing this up and sharing these. i currently am among the realtors who are selling units at Bellagio. we actually are in the process of selling a penthouse unit now at the same condo and the price of the unit is already at 42M, its more than what they are declaring that the market price is only 30M…their pre-selling price is even ridiculously placed at 14M almost the same price as that of a typical three bedroom unit.
i tried playing the devil’s advocate and really can’t seem to think how they were able to get the unit at that price…the only way that i could think of is if you are paying in cash (you get a discount, but not as much as to the point of lowering the price to 14M…and i guess this would also go in conflict with their claim that they are still paying for the unit. and to add, they cannot move in to the unit or do any improvements unless the unit has already been fully paid by Corona. but i guess the adverse is true as they have started with the interior designing of their unit and they have frequented the place as well.
there’s really so much to consider and you really would find that there are irregularities and inconsistencies…
Thank you for sharing.
The current selling price of the same kind of unit that Corona purchased is 42 M .
He got it for 14.5 M.
Unthinkable. and Unexplainable
What amazes me is the rise in the price of the condo in just a very short span of time. It does not even happen like that in Toronto where you buy a condo in 2008 and then it is now more than double the price or market value? that’s even more impossible to think of. I live in a very affluent neighborhood near the Bridle Path where mansions here are easily in the $5 million dollar range and up. A small condo here during pre-construction price where I bought was about $140,000 for a one bedroom unit before construction in 2000. I bought a two bedroom plus den and paid $260,000 including the upgrades. I could only get $360,000 for it today and I just recently sold it last month. That’s not even double the price I paid for before. But I see condos in Makati areas going up rapidly in value? And the average income of people there is nothing compared to mine? What is wrong is the pricing in the Philippines. Not CJ Corona. Because that 14.5 million peso condo should only be around 25 million at this time considering it is not even 5 years after he bought it.
Fr my idol RICKY DE LA TORRE somewhere in here: “What amazes me is the rise in the price of the condo in just a very short span of time. It does not even happen like that in Toronto where you buy a condo in 2008 and then it is now more than double the price or market value? that’s even more impossible to think of. I live in a very affluent neighborhood near the Bridle Path where mansions here are easily in the $5 million dollar range and up. A small condo here during pre-construction price where I bought was about $140,000 for a one bedroom unit before construction in 2000. I bought a two bedroom plus den and paid $260,000 including the upgrades. I could only get $360,000 for it today and I just recently sold it last month. That’s not even double the price I paid for before. But I see condos in Makati areas going up rapidly in value? And the average income of people there is nothing compared to mine? What is wrong is the pricing in the Philippines. Not CJ Corona. Because that 14.5 million peso condo should only be around 25 million at this time considering it is not even 5 years after he bought it.”
MAKATI or TAGUIG is not spelled T.-O-R-O-N-TO. Simple as THAT, Idol! Happy?
Price gauging mean anything to you?
I mean price goughing pala. Price gouging is a pejorative term referring to a situation in which a seller prices goods or commodities much higher than is considered reasonable or fair. The term is not in widespread use in mainstream economic theory, but is sometimes used to refer to practices of a coercive monopoly which raises prices above the market rate that would otherwise prevail in a competitive environment. Price goughing and price fixing are similar. Price fixing is an agreement between participants on the same side in a market to buy or sell a product, service, or commodity only at a fixed price, or maintain the market conditions such that the price is maintained at a given level by controlling supply and demand. The group of market makers involved in price fixing is sometimes referred to as a cartel. Di ba criminal offense yan? Is it legal to do that in the Philippines?
Fr my idol, RICKY: “The group of market makers involved in price fixing is sometimes referred to as a cartel. Di ba criminal offense yan? Is it legal to do that in the Philippines?”
Idol, lahat ng gusto mong gawin LEGAL ngaun sa Pinas. BASTA WAG KA LANG PAHUHULI! HAHAHA!
O kung it’s your rotten luck na mahuli ka ….”ang LAGAY eh makukuha yan sa maBOTENG usapan!”
Masama yan. Pag nasabit ka. The bribe and the blackmail. hahahaha both parties are guilty dyan. UNLESS like you said, meron CUT din ang naka-alam. Pero ang masama pa dyan, lima sila na naka alam eh. NYAHAHAHAHAHAHA Otherwise alam mo na, meron sisipol dyan. hehehehe
In Cebu the pre selling price of a high end condo is 31M for 131sm. http://www.cebuholdings.com/1016residences. I can’t imagine how the Thief Justice got his for 14M. High end condo prices in Cebu and Taguig should not differ much.
This has nothing to do with Bellagio but since you are in the real estate business there I hope you dont mind if I made an inquiry about another building there. The building is a condotel called the F1 which is in the same vicinity , I think. I purchased a residential suite for around 4.2M 2 years ago although the construction is still ongoing I’m curious as to how much you think the price of that suite is now. Thank you in advance for indulging me, regards, joey
Hmm.
Not wasting the opportunity, eh.
Anybody can answer this.
Nice research!
Thanks. I try.
Hi Raissa!
Thanks for this juicy info. Siguro naman kilala mo si Belinda Cunanan. The Lady columnist kick-out by Inquirer. I’m still reading her blog, just to know her inputs about our politics and to make my self hate them more. Eh isa siya sa mga loyal defender ni GMA. as in licking their behinds! Lalo na ngaun about ke Corona. Sana mabasa nya o kya mapadalhan mo kaya ng mga back up evidence mo. Gusto ko lang makita kung talagang idedepensa pa rin nya si Corona once na mabasa naya to. Keep it up! You’re the LADY MAN!
Very in-depth and well-written. kudos to you raissa!!!
Thanks.
I hope you read the one I posted yesterday –
http://raissarobles.com/2012/01/10/cj-coronas-condo-is-fully-paid-up-tax-official-confirms/
And the follow-up I will post, hopefully today
@Ding
If there are breaches to their Code of Professional Responsibility, are there any sanctions?
Are there penalties or disbarment when found guilty?
What if the Chief breached many of them, what then?
Is the Chief immune?
And to whom or in what forum (ie court) will they bring their case against an erring member or lawyer?
What if it was the chief, impeachment by IBP this time?
I was really amazed how you put up the details of each stories
since I read your article about the Ramgen incident.
I was just curious about your work. You supported all your articles with
facts(documents, etc), underlining the details. You really know how to investigates your articles.
Are there any big news company offering you any position? You can be a great asset to them.
The way you run you’re stories, it seems like you’re really hands on in all of these. It’s really great.
You’re doing better than any other journalist out there.
Keep them coming….:-)
Thank you.
I wonder if there will also be investigative journalism on Carpio’s unexplained wealth…
I’m sure there will be.
Hmmm, such a sweeping staement. There is no proven unexplained wealth of carpio, only allegation. Besides 800 sm condo does not exist anywhere in the Philippines. Ask any realtor.
I will.
Oh really. Kris Aquino has 1000 sqm condo in Ayala Triangle.
The 800 sqm could be the floor area of the condo which may
include a high loft or a combination of 2 or 3 penthouse units
or even the whole floor.
Apparently according to Johhny Lin, Carpio comes from a very wealthy clan from Visayas and they own huge hectares of land in the visayas including those in Boracay. Try investigating that and what the connection of Carpio is to those land barons in the Visayas. Oligarchs will like them and the Aquinos who are also hacienderos will only connive with each other to impose rules for their own advantage and benefit. The person who did not come from a wealthy clan will never be able to even get up to the level of comfort because of these people.
You must have been living in Canada for a long time. Land reform applies only to agricultural lands. Since you know so much about the history of property tracts in Toronto its kind of disturbing you did not know the history of how lands in the Philippines were distributed during Spanish times. You probably didn’t know too that many top Filipino millionaires now did not come from old oligarchs category but were from middle income families. That many OFWS earn the same income or more than you but they send their money back to their families here. Try coming back and stay for a long time in the PHILIPPINES to reacquaint yourself, at least you could contribute to our economy with your 360,000 Canadian dollar in case you decide not to invest in our condo industry in which you could earn much more compared to Toronto.
You have a point on grandfathering real estate taxation, not in Philippine tax laws. The reason many oligarch sold their coveted properties especially those who were not successful businessmen like their parents/grandparents. They could not afford paying their high real estate taxes like those in Forbes Park, Bridle Path in your hood.
Just remember, “the sin of the father is not the sin of the son”.
Yes, the reasoning for the real estate grandfathering tax break is that these people who were the original owners of their homes are all Canadian citizens and have contributed to the economy, paid their taxes throughout the years and have lived there all their lives. Now just because they have retired and have some sort of retirement income that they assumed would support them in their old age suddenly became inadequate due to the fact that the area where they bought their homes have dramatically risen in value hence the rise in property taxes. The councilors and mayors as well as the provincial MPs debated over this, is it right to kick out these people who have already lived there for a long time and have paid their dues to society just because the value of their property had risen ten to 50 times more? They decided that it was fair for the original homeowners to stay in their homes and be given a grandfathered tax subsidy whereas as long as the property does not change hands and remains in the family, the taxes are just moderately increased according to the homeowner’s retirement income. If the property is suddenly sold at today’s prices then the new owners will pay their property taxes based on today’s rate. One detail to know is that here in Canada, Capital gains made in your principal home is tax-free. You will not pay capital gains taxes if you live in your condo or home after you sell it. Even if you say you made $500,000 dollars over the value of the house when you first initially bought it or even a million dollars over the value of the home when you bought it, it is still tax free as long as it is your principal home and you were living in it. Nice isn’t it?
ricky, tax system in Canada is not same in Philippines. Thats right, nice if applied here, same way what we have in the philippines is not found in canada like being able to bargain with amount of tax when the time comes. Thats the way it is. Many expatriates like you inherited properties sold them and happy with the bargain they got since they did not pay realty taxes on the property during the times they were living overseas. Can you do that in canada? Its not perfect but sufficient in our tightly knit society.
I have not sold any property yet that I have inherited, My sisters dont want to sell the properties so there is nothing I can do although it is sitting there and we pay taxes on it yearly without anyone living in it. By the time we turn 80 years old, we might be too senile and someone will just literally rip us off and take those properties away from us because we could not decide on anything to do with it. I don’t want to wait that long. Properties in the Philippines are not worth as much like in Canada unless it is in a posh area like makati, The Fort or other exclusive neighborhoods. My sister has friends that are wealthy in the Philippines and no one has money to buy even if they are trying to sell their properties. Everyone that approaches them try to rip them off and low ball them from the market value of their properties so this why I believe, a syndicate is behind all this real estate control in the Philippines. Wait until the recession hits the Philippines and all these high price condos lose value including those stately homes in Forbes Park, The Fort, Ayala Alabang and other exclusive neighborhoods, In some parts of the U.S, prices of mansions went down. You can purchase a big mansion in the U.S. for half the price. The problem is no American can afford them so rich Foreigners are the ones buying them. And that is what is going to happen in the Philippines if it is not happening now. Foreigners marrying pinays and buying up all these properties. I heard stories of Japanese, Chinese and Australians buying up large tracts of beach property and setting up resorts and businesses. It might look good on the outside but the ordinary filipino who is 100% pinoy and was born and raised there are the ones that are suffering. The oligarchs don’t care about them. They only care about how they can get richer . The greedy want more and the already wealthy and rich want even more. That’s what is happening. And now they are castigating Corona? What a joke.
And they say education is the key to success and enrich you. What is happening is Corona despite the fact he went to Ateneo and Harvard (on a scholarship meaning he is a bright student, not a flunky or average student), people still think that his education is NOT worth much. So for his reward, he is a public servant with very little to show for. Is that what society wants to happen in the Philippines? Go study and educate yourself and still be a poor person with no good paying job. What a crock of malarky.
@ricky
Corona got what he dove into. Like in war, target the general and his command will collapse. Despite intelligence, not all educated are smart. Your hero belongs to this class, the reason he is in this mess. His demeanor filled with impropriety, talked of his integrity which had been lacking since working in government. He was the main architect of illegal deals of GMA as his chief of staff. He gives interviews denying all the 40 properties but all he has to do is show his installment loan documents. You write here about your 360,000 canadian dollar condo which is actuallylly equivalent to a garage in our US dollar neighborhood because you could present evidence if somebody dares you. We care only about how he paid for a penthouse with his monthly salary of 45000 pesos, thats about 1100 canadian dollar to you which is less than what we spend for gasoline monthly in cars in my US hood. Our church parking lot is like a high end cars showroom every Sunday but we dont whisper about it until now. You keep on talking about your real estate, WHO CARES, you could not even afford to go home to the Philippines yearly while you were busy working your ass for decades in Canada. Bet your salary when you started working was not enough to buy a bird’s nest in our hood. People earning much lower than you had better sense bringing back their riches to the Philippines frequently and you come preaching us now about your real estate. Bragadaccio is fine but the kind you are cocky about, its poverty level in our hood. They say “a bird perched on top of a carabao brags its taller than the 2 horn animal” Humility is still taught in the Philippies that is why you need to go back and take refresher course. What nincompoop! Dayum.
I am not bragging. Why all the animosity? YOu talk as if you OWN the whole world. Most people are modest. THE US is in financial trouble and your dollars mean NOTHING. The U.S. government keeps printing your currency which has practically lost it’s value by 80%. yes, people accept it but everytime, the price of oil goes up, the value of your dollar goes down. Pretty soon, you will need a barrel to carry your mountain of U.S. bills just to pay for a loaf of bread. Ever heard of HYPER INLFATION? You may feel your home is worth 10 million dollars and you are getting paid 2.5 million a year but with the current value of your dollar, it’s worth 20% of it’s price. Go look at the price of gold now. Gold is hovering around $1700 dollars per One ounce. Just observe this method, everytime, oil goes up,the prices of commodities goes up. Did you notice that the price of everything in stores now are inflated? Price of food went up, price of services went up. Hell, you must be paying your janitors over there the same salary as the President of the Philippines.
So stop bragging how rich you are because there is SCAM going on in the U.S. now. Your U.S. government is $14 trillion dollars in DEBT. You are at the point of NO RETURN. You won’t be able to pay your debt anymore. CHINA, JAPAN, THE SAUDIS AND KUWAIT practically own you. There is nothing you can do except take in the rear and grin about. So what if you are driving a luxury car and you are paying gas as if my condo is just a drop in your tank. You are just making the SAUDIs richer and they are laughing at AMERICANS for being foolish. That’s what your AMERICA is headed to. Homes in the U.S. are cheap now. MANSIONS FOR SALE AT HALF PRICE. Yes, at one point in time, I even saw an ad in the news about a car dealership offering “TWO for one” sale on Hummers. hahahaha TWO HUMMERS for the price of one. That’s how SORRY your country is. Bankruptcies, mortgage defaults, foreclosure, malls empty, stores boarded up and millions and millions of people out of work. Why do you think the state of California was laying off thousands if not millions of government workers? They can’t pay their wages. Teachers, cops, firemen, emergency ambulance workers, hospitals, practically everyone in essential services being layed off and you are BRAGGING about you church parking LOT? hahahaha WAKE UP JOHNNY, DIDN’T YOU NOTICE? AMERICA IS LITERALLY BANKRUPT.
I am NOT preaching about my real estate. I just mentioned the difference and why the hyper inflated rise in price of the Units in such a short span of time. Even in a country where even the highest positions in government jobs cannot even afford to purchase them? Obviously, there is something wrong and something is illegal when even the salary of a judge or a congressman or a vice president or mayor cannot pay for a condo like that. Think of it, the average salary of the workers in the Philippines CANNOT afford to buy a home that is nothing more but AVERAGE here in CANADA? you are a joke about bragging about your AMERICAN B.S. AMERICA is BANKRUPT. That’s why everyone is trying to swindle other people of their hard earned money.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsinCoRnAic&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNHwncb55iQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXIrfjLsmaU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mejNWqwiClY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cziN3gt-hic&feature=related
I think you are the one that needs to go back and learn HUMILITY. All your BRAGGING about your church parking lot looking like a SHOWROOM of luxury cars? hahahaha I know several people here who work as NANNIES and CAREGIVERS for very wealthy people. One lady who is my friend’s aunt works as a NANNY for a rich family. The family gave her a 2010 LEXUS GX 470. IF YOU ARE A RICH PERSON HERE IN CANADA , YOU CAN AFFORD TO GIVE AWAY A 2010 LEXUS GX 470 TO YOUR NANNY. I doubt you are rich enough to even tip 100 dollars to a waiter serving you food that he may have spitted on and mixed his boogers in it. Another lady who is my mother’s friend works as a caregiver for a rich jewish family. They gave her a used 2009 Mercedes Benz C350. How many people do you know that can do that? LOL you’re a braggart and a joke
@johnny lin: RE “Bet your salary when you started working was not enough to buy a bird’s nest in our hood. People earning much lower than you had better sense bringing back their riches to the Philippines frequently and you come preaching us now about your real estate. Bragadaccio is fine but the kind you are cocky about, its poverty level in our hood. They say “a bird perched on top of a carabao brags its taller than the 2 horn animal””
First of all, I was not BRAGGING. I was trying to figure out why the sudden rise in price when the average salary of the middle class worker cannot afford that. You brag about your US real estate (which is really going down. Do you know AMERICA has a lot of bankruptcies and mortgage defaults and foreclosures in the past 4 years?) and your US dollar. The US dollar is toilet paper because it’s value has gone down dramatically. It is worth 20% of what it used to. That’s what your US dollar is. 20 cents. Look at the Euro. The value of the Euro is also going down. Take a look at supposedly rich European countries, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Italy all bankrupt. And you think, poverty level in your hood? LOL, you’re full of sh*t. Rich people don’t even talk on forums like this in Canada. They don’t bother getting involved. You on the other hand is like some kind of Gossiper who thinks is rich but acts like one of those chismosos at a coffee shop along with other unemployed americans collecting unemployment benefits. LOL. Let me ask you, how much is the deficit of America? $14 Trillion dollars? For every dollar you spend, America is borrowing $40,000 dollars. That’s the value of your dollar. CANADA? We happen to have the third largest OIL deposit and reserves in the ENTIRE WORLD. We have oil in Alberta, in Newfoundland, in New Brunswick and we also have one of the largest diamond mines in the Northwest Territories. In reality, the US is sinking and pretty soon, your so called rich neighborhood will just be inhabited by terrorists, gangbangers, drug dealers, Corporate Crooks like Ken Lay, Bernie Maddoff, etc etc as well as mafia bosses. That’s what your world is about. LOL. Rich my a$$, you can’t even wipe my butt with your dollar, it’s too crinkly.
@ricky
USA can go bankrupt become a third world country, who cares I dont. Im a Filipino, resident of the Philippines.
I fed your own dose of medicine whether true or not, and look what happened, you feel irritated. You see the point. We understand how successful you are now, mentioning your real estate once for comparison is probably enough since the topic reference is barely relevant to the blog. twicel, 3,,4,5. is not only too much. Besides in terms of wealth Philippines could not be compared to Canada or US, thats foregone conclusion. You posted the salary of the SC justices in Canada this time, there is no relevance again except you wanted to point out the their CJ makes more than 300,000 canadian dollars per annum multiply that with peso exchange rate, its awesome. Now, You look at it at 1-1 conversion equivalence; what does than mean. Nothing compared to SC CJ salary in the Philippines he makes at least 480,000 per annum.you see what I mean.
Everybody has a right to their own opinion but when arguing with others, the reference point is wealth of oneself, then dont be offended if that reference point is attacked. Its not animosity, its wake up “call”, I thought you said you play poker, blufffffff! You folded by getting irritated, you lost. cheer up, its only one game, try again next game.
Hay naku! Tayong mga Pinoy. Pag YUMAYABONG na ang kabuhayan, YUMAYABANG din ang kamalayan! HAHAHAHA!!! Buti na lang at ako’y mahirap pa din pagkatapos ng mahigit dalawampung taong kayod sa Wall Street ng Nuyok. Kahit kinakabahan ako ngaun dahil ung maliit kong pension mula ki Uncle Sam e baka wala na komo bankrupt na siya. Mauuubos nga raw ang SS fund ni Uncle Sammie by the year 2050 yata. Good thing siguro hanggang 2049 lang ako aabot! THE REWARD FOR BEING OLD! HAHAHA!
@august
Buti ka pa yung SS mo magagamit mo, kaya lang hindi hanggang 2049 dahil sabi ng mga Mayan 2012 na lang ang mundo. Kaya yung sa akin sinabi ko kay Uncle Sam bigay na lang sa mga taga Toronto bago mabankrupt Amerika
I have been in North America since 1975. That’s approx. 37 years living abroad. And yes, if you are wondering, I have been Canadianized which is why my way of thinking is sort of different than some if not most Filipinos.
What was my first comment to you. I said come back to the Philippines, reclimatize yourself to the culture. As of now your perspective stands on opposite pole, being Canada your reference point, wrong chart.
Oh, btw, those who have read my postings thousand times before, I never mentioned anything about my wealth; your posting was the only reason. So what if I paricipated in this kind of forum which you insinuated is not worth for the wealthy. Did you ever think what you posted demeaned all the people here especially Raissa. “Character of old wealth is measured by how they blend with the unfortunate compared to those with sudden fortune” Where do you belong?
Also I just gave 100,000 US dollar to my son private high school alma mater; does that count with your Lexus and MB C300; combined their amount is less than AMG 55, do you know what it is, I gave also to raffle. Do you think, thats enough?
I am coming back there. Giving $100,000 US Dollars to your son’s private high school must be some sort of charitable gift? To a school that caters to only the RICH? And that is helping mankind? you and your kind really irks the real public. Considering your comments are always geared to protect Pnoy Aquino’s administration show Pnoy was never someone who REALLY CARED FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHICH IS 90% OF THE POPULATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. Let me ask you this. What is the ratio of the poor or considered poor in the Philippines compared to it’s population? 90%? I bet that means, you just gave $100,000 US Dollars to those people WHO DON’T REALLY NEED IT. They are wealthy already. YOUR IDEA OF GIVING TO CHARITY IS LIKE TRYING TO BRIBE A SCHOOL OFFICIAL TO GET POGI POINTS AND MAKE YOU LOOK GOOD IN THE EYE OF YOUR POMPOUS ARROGANT SELF-RIGHTEOUS HOLIER-THAN-THOU NEIGHBORHOOD? LOL What a hypocrite. First of all you were trying to point at CORONA and say he is guilty and corrupt then you yourself admit that you are a CORRUPT PERSON. I bet if the public hears what you just did and knowing the majority of filipinos in the Philippines are struggling, they would castrate you and vote to remove Pnoy out of office.
And you talk like a $100,000 US Dollar gift to your son’s private high school alma mater was helping anyone. It’s like giving money to Bill Gates who does not really need your .50 cents because he is already very rich. By the way, those nannies and caregivers don’t make a lot of money and are paid by the hourly wage. Yes, they make more in Canada than working in the same job in the Philippines. Their hourly wage range from $16 to $18 dollars an hour but due to the high cost of living here in Toronto, that is just normal. That school is a private school and they don’t need $100,000 dollars like these working people do. That school charges a tuition fee something like $30,000 a year per student which is how much some of the private schools charge in my neighborhood although the public school here is very good and more than sufficient for people living here.
So in essence, you are just trying to rub elbows with those wealthy people because you really don’t care about the filipinos. $100,000 dollars can help a lot of the homeless children in the Philippines. If I had that kind of money, I would give to those victims of the typhoon, the landslides, try to use the money to build public schools for the disadvantaged people. The REAL PEOPLE who do need the help and NOT THIS B.S. OF YOURS THINKING YOU ARE THE RIGHTEOUS AND HIGHER MORAL GROUND BUT YOU ARE JUST AS DIRTY, CORRUPT AND CONNIVING AS THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION. KEEP TRYING BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST REALLY SHOWING YOUR TRUE COLOURS. I HOPE THE FILIPINO PEOPLE HEAR THIS AND KNOW MORE OF THE CHARACTERS BEHIND PNOY AQUINO’S ADMINISTRATION. HE IS BEING BACKED BY HOODLUMS CORRUPT MANIPULATORS OF MEDIA AND CONNIVING THIEVES THEMSELVES.
You are a liar and a hypocrite. First of all, that $100,000 dollars given to a private high school? A school that really does NOT NEED help because it is a school that charges a tuition fee from every student that goes there. That $100,000 could help a lot of filipinos in the Philippines like homeless children, the victims of the typhoon, floods and landslides. It could be used for building public schools for the disadvantage people. You are full of sh*t and the biggest braggart here.
The filipinas working here don’t make a lot of money. Yes, they make more here in Canada than working in the same job in the Philippines. They make somewhere between $16 to $18 dollars per hour from their employers. However, the difference between those rich people and your greedy kind is THEY GIVE TO THOSE WHO TRULY NEED AND DESERVE IT. You on the other hand are just trying to make a fool of yourself trying to show you are generous GIVING money to a PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR RICH KIDS that do not really need the money because they charge a lot to students who go to school there.
YOU ARE THEREFORE TRYING TO SHOW OFF THAT YOU ARE WEALTHY SO THEY ACCEPT YOU INTO THEIR SOCIAL CLASS FULL OF SNOBBY, SELF-RIGHTEOUS, HYPOCRITES THAT ARE ARROGANT CONNIVING AND FEEL THEY ARE DESERVING OF EVERYTHING THEY HAVE EVEN IF IT WAS STOLEN. A BUNCH OF POMPOUS HOLIER-THAN-THOU PEOPLE WHO DON’T REALLY GIVE A SH*T ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD. IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE MASSES OF PEOPLE, THEIR BUSINESSES WOULD BE BANKRUPT.
Too bad, the filipino public does not know that PNOY AQUINO’S FAMILY AND CIRCLE OF FRIENDS ARE JUST A BUNCH OF CONNIVING ARROGANT HYPOCRITES LIKE YOU AND IF THEY KNOW, THEY WOULD MARCH DOWN AT EDSA AND REMOVE HIM FROM POWER EVEN AS I TYPE THIS RIGHT NOW. LOL
@ricky
I just gave 100 million pesos to catholic church for their work on the victims, is that enough? Did you google AMG 55, you did not comment? Whie googling find out also the meaning of sarcasm, @August , @nonon and I were having fun of
Have you heard of wikileaks where all secret confidential of US embassies and consulates were hacked, what the hell you are talking about paperless money. There are still money in the bank. More in circulation than a decade ago. There is constant recycling of old bills the reason Secretary of treasury signatures on the different denominations are updated.
Hey @Johnny lin
you posted the foollowing comments as above;
Johnny lin says: January 14, 2012 at 11:05 pm
Also I just gave 100,000 US dollar to my son private high school alma mater
Johnny lin says:January 17, 2012 at 7:56 pm
I just gave 100 million pesos to catholic church for their work on the victims, is that enough?
Are you for real or you’re taking everyone here for a ride?
tsk tsk tsk…
From MEL somewhere here: “Hey @Johnny lin you posted the foollowing comments as above; Johnny lin says: January 14, 2012 at 11:05 pm Also I just gave 100,000 US dollar to my son private high school alma mater Johnny lin says:January 17, 2012 at 7:56 pm I just gave 100 million pesos to catholic church for their work on the victims, is that enough? Are you for real or you’re taking everyone here for a ride? tsk tsk tsk….”
Mel, have you heard of hyperbole, exaggeration and sarcasm? They are legit literary/journalistic tools, used mainly to attract attention or opinion…. the more outlandish or overblown, the better. Writer Mark Twain, sports columnist Grantland Rice, famed trial lawyer Louis Nizer, the late Philippines FREE PRESS editor Teodoro M. Locsin (dad of Teddy Boy), superwriters Nick Joaquin and Gregorio Brilliantes and my fave woman writer Kerima Polotan were masters of them. I suggest you google or wiki those “tools”. Good luck, tututak!
To our friend MEL: Please guess what literary/journalistic tool I used in my following short piece I published somewhere a while ago: “In the picture where ‘Bishop’ Cruz is shown anointing (or putting pomade on CJ Corona’s hair?): Sa lahat ng bishops yan ang lagi kong sinusundan. Para hindi ako napaligaw ng landas. Siya ang aking giya, ika nga. Kc basta kung ano landas na tinatahak ni Cruz, iyong SALIWA ang tatahakin ko. PARA TIYAK NA NASA MATUWID ANG LAKAD KO!
”
@august
Binubuko mo naman, sigurado ka ba sa sinasabi mo? tuloy hindi kana sinasagot ni @ricky. Kapag nawalan ng follower si Raissa, kasalanan ni Bishop Cruz. saka kasusumpa mo lang kay Raissa, binabali mo kaagad
@AUGUST C FERNANDO, @Johnny lin
Hey boys!
LOL!
As much as I would like to Reply to your recent posties, wala iyong Reply button sa ibaba. (AND THIS IS FOR THE TROLL)
@AUGUST C FERNANDO, You asked ‘have you heard of hyperbole, exaggeration and sarcasm?’ DEFINITELY, having exchanged with @Johnny lin since Dec last year, never thought he’d stoop to keep up with the Trump (@Ricky) from Canada. Ayaw pala maunahan. Puro seryoso kasi iyong mga past exchanges namin with @Saxnviolins. I should have taken the cue that @Ricky was a bit showing off.
As for your ‘In the picture where ‘Bishop’ Cruz is shown anointing (or putting pomade on CJ Corona’s hair?):’
Máte, you’d have to give me a web link if it is in the cloud. Otherwise, I might not be able to find it down under.
With @ Johnny lin’s Post: January 18, 2012 at 12:04 pm, iyan ang Quickie sa madaling sabi.
Thanks guys. Let’s keep it within the thread. Otherwise we’re wasting Raïssa’s time of moderating our trolls.
Once again, sorry Raïssa.
Fr pal JOHNNY lin somewhere: “August…As for your ‘In the picture where ‘Bishop’ Cruz is shown anointing (or putting pomade on CJ Corona’s hair?):’ Máte, you’d have to give me a web link if it is in the cloud. Otherwise, I might not be able to find it down under.” NO PROB, Johnny. Below is the URL…. GO, PAL!!! ENJOY!!!
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/22198/fr–robert-reyes-an-open-letter-to-our-bishops?fb_comment_id=fbc_5007051728029_725228_5007051780029.
By the way, NO, IM NOT IN THE WRONG CHART. IM ALSO A FILIPINO. I HAVE DUAL- CITIZENSHIP. I DONT STAND ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE POLE. I AM SPEAKING ON THE SAME REASONS WHAT EVERYONE IS TRYING TO SAY. TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A DECENT LIFE WITHOUT PERSECUTION FROM POMPOUS ARROGANT LOUDMOUTHS LIKE YOU. “CHARACTER OF OLD WEALTH IS MEASURED BY HOW THEY BLEND WITH THE UNFORTUNATE COMPARED TO THOSE WITH SUDDEN FORTUNE”? JOHNNY, BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THIS, YOU CANNOT, I REPEAT IT AGAIN, YOU CANNOT BLEND WITH THE UNFORTUNATE.
WHY? YOU JUST SAID IT, YOU GAVE $100,000 US DOLLARS TO PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DON’T NEED IT. THAT’S LIKE TELLING MANNY PACQUIAO, HEY MANNY LET’S GO TO JOLIBEE, I’LL BUY YOU A BURGER AND A SOFT DRINK. YOU ARE JUST INSULTING HIM.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TRULY RICH HERE IN CANADA AND YOUR KIND IS YOU TRY TO THINK YOU CAN BUY YOUR WAY UP INTO THE SOCIAL CIRCLES OF THE TRULY WEALTHY BUT THE TRULY RICH PEOPLE HERE DONATE AND GIVE TO THE LESS FORTUNATE AND THOSE WHO TRULY DESERVE IT LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THEM AS A SIGN OF GRATITUDE FOR DOING A GOOD JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR ELDERLY. THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.
YOU AND YOUR KIND ON THE OTHER HAND THINK BY DONATING TO THOSE THAT ALREADY WELL-OFF, THEY WILL LOOK UP TO YOU AND MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE A KING BUT IN REALITY YOU WERE JUST TRYING TO BUY YOURSELF INTO THEIR SOCIAL CIRCLE. LOL YOU ARE A JOKE AND A BIG LAUGH. TRUST ME, WHEN I SAY THIS, THE TRULY WEALTHY PEOPLE WITH MONEY HERE WHO COME FROM OLD RICH FAMILIES DONATE TO THE POOR AND UNDERPRIVILEDGED PEOPLE MORE OFTEN THAT THOSE OTHER OLD RICH FAMILIES IN THE PHILIPPINES. THEY KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING OTHERS THAN TRYING TO BUY THEIR WAY INTO A RICH SOCIAL CLASS BECAUSE THEY DONT NEED TO. THEY ARE THAT RICH.
Investigate Carpio for being wealthy? If true, his mother belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Visayas, Tirol, of banks and landed fame in Aklan, probably owning most of Boracay beachfront before it became famous. He was a successful lawyer before becoming justice. The reported megasize 800 sqm condo would occupy two floors of the building, almost impossible, unless his family owns the entire building which is chicken feed to family wealth anyway. Corona has to prove his wealth lineage.
If that’s your argument, Corona could very well afford to buy a P14.5M condo, even if on installment.
He was a graduate of Ateneo from elementary, high school and college.He also studied in Harvard.
As you know, it can cost a fortune to study in this schools.
@leon
Who told you, Midas Marquez. Its illusion and guessing, prove it. Ask Corona. I did too on scholarship and we were poor.My salary in 2009 was 15x that of Corona monthly but I could not afford the monthly installment of a 15 million condo at Serendra. Bank installment loan in the Philippines for real estate is for 5 years term meaning the monthly installment was at least 250,000 pesos a month for 60 months. I know because I tried to buy one with 30% down payment. Corona does not earn that much monthly. In 2002 Corona SALN had an asset of 14million pesos and at that time mine was 3x of Corona and in that same year my income was 20x that of Corona. The only way Corona could have paid his condo cash was he received bribes in cash. That is a guarantee. Dare you to ask him to waive his rights on all his bank accounts since 2000 so my “company” could access them to print them here. Ask also the address of his residence in San Francisco so we could trace how it was bought. No way he could afford even with his chief justice salary plus the salary of his wife at Camp John Hay. Dare his family to show his SALN and ITR for the past 5 years and I will do the same for comparison to prove my theory. Your hero is corrupt in the highest category. Thats the truth, however he denies it. Corona is a dayum liar. We can randomly pick 10 OFWs and they will all say , no way he paid installment on that condo with his monthly salary.
Corona worked in the private sector for 20 years. Early in his career, Corona served as special counsel at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He later became senior vice-president and general counsel of the Commercial Bank of Manila, and later a senior officer of the Tax and Corporate Counseling Group of the Tax Division of Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.), the country’s largest multidisciplinary professional services firm. I am sure a salary of a senior vice-president and general counsel for a bank is more than enough to justify his means. A senior officer for Sycip Gorres Velayo and Co can also command a very handsome salary. Inherited wealth could also be a factor since his family could afford to send him to Ateneo and Harvard.
Can’t be 20 years in private sector.
Far less.
I checked.
Corona started his career in government with Marcos under Executive Secretary Melchor in late 70′s to mid 80,s. Worked few years in private sector, went to Harvard under scholarship and was a working student, came back private sector few years then worked in government starting 1992 with Fidel Ramos that is why he has 1992 SALN with reported assets of 14 million pesos. He became VP GMA chief of staff in 1998. His reported assets in 2002 when he was PGMA chief of staff was 13 million, one million pesos less than 1992, This debunked the theory he earned a lot of money, at least according to his SALN, if true. The most years he worked in private corporations was 5-7 years. In ten years, 1992-2002 his assets went down by one million while working with Ramos and VPGMA yet from 2002 when he was appointed SC justice at least he was able to buy 14 million peso condo in cash. Not including those unexposed properties yet? We will know them during the trial. How did he do it in 7 years with associate SC justice salary that he was not able to do in 10 years with government salary too. Do the math? Only corruption could solve it.
I will pay attention to the trial and we will all know the real facts. I cannot say you are right and someone else is also right. Somehow I will try to keep an open mind and be impartial about everything. The truth will be exposed during the trial anyways. Evidence is the determining factor not public opinion, for me anyways. I don’t want to be convicted just because people disliked me or my methods or because I did not agree with someone’s opinion. If I would be found guilty of any charge given to me, I would rather be found guilty if the evidence is there and that I have been proven to be guilty WITHOUT A REASONABLE DOUBT. That’s what they always teach you in law school. Men’s rea, Actus rea, legal process, presumption of innocence, etc.
At least you read another opinion contrary to what was fed to you. Now you have an open mind. I dont claim Im right to convince you, just giving another side of the story with details and reasoning.
That is acceptable. I do like to hear from both sides. Di naman ako kumakampi with either side. Im just a spectator myself but I like to draw some conclusions on my own sometimes based on what I have read and already know which sometimes may be false information or insufficient information. Usually there is more to a story than what is being printed anyways.
Your above “soft punch” visibly shows that you’ve been licked. Or at least NANGHIHINA KA NA, Ricky. As we say in Tagalog, Ricky, GULAPAY KA NA SA HIRAP. LAMOG KA NA SA SUNTOK…. hehehe. But in fairness, I like your debating prowess. Magaling ka. Pero mas magaling kahit kanino ang KATOTOHANAN. Sa laht, mahirap kalaban ang KATOTOHANAN! Db, Ricky idol?
we will know but the truth usually hurts sometimes di ba? We have not heard the whole story yet. Somehow there might be missing information somewhere but that’s where the intrigue lies. It makes for good speculation on who is more credible. Actually, if you did investigate a lot of these congressmen / women and senators, there might be quite a few anomalies already to discover. Corona is only one of the scapegoats that was being pressured but I am certain there are others too and possibly some that are also involved in the cover up.
No.
Corona is NOT a scapegoat.
He is an EXAMPLE.
You know the tagalog slang – sasampulan siya.
Fr RAISSA to RICKY somewhere above: “No. Corona is NOT a scapegoat. He is an EXAMPLE. You know the tagalog slang – sasampulan siya.”
My exact same take, Raissa, Ricky. A SCAPEGOAT is not actually involved in a particular shennanigan/case. Sa Tagalog namin sa Rizal un ay SINANGKALAN lang. IDINAWIT. PINAGBINTANGAN. [Thanks Lolo Balagtas for my rich Tagalog bokab, hahahaha!]. And Corona is NOTHING but. He IS the major player. BIDA, kumbaga. “Bida” in the mold of Martin Marfil, Joseph de Cordova, Ricky Davao, Eddie Garcia and some such critters in our movie industry. LOL.
so that means they made an example of him? What about others? I am sure more than half of congress and some of the Senate can fit the same category. Corona was made an example BECAUSE of his ruling in HL and he was appointed by GMA. NOT because of anything else right? Or if there are others, why isn’t anyone going after them too? All the governors, the mayors, the senators, congresspeople, PNP, Generals, etc etc. hahahaha It is a joke however, I know the present administration CANNOT stay there forever. The term is 6 six years only so we will see another person who will have his own point of views and he or she may want to go after the past administration again. A repeat of what is happening now. The saying “what goes around, comes around” rings true in a lot of ways. Look what Estrada said. “Baka na Karma ka ngayon GMA”
You wish, ano.
@August C Fernando :
You’re understanding of a scapegoat might be different than mine but here is an interesting story about one of Pnoy’s relatives (which is why I still think Corona is a scapegoat despite other’s opinion because a scapegoat is someone who is blamed when he is targeted and NO one powerful to defend him and that powerful person lets others get away with practically the same or even worst crime as in swindle or estafa) :
Here is another case where the administration of justice may be derailed.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken over the investigation and resolution of a syndicated estafa case still being investigated by the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office. The complainants, two Mandaluyong City-based companies, are questioning the motive of the DOJ.
Earlier, a complaint was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against two executives of Omico Corporation, Tommy Kin Hing Tia and Juana Lourdes Buyson, for obstruction of justice. The NBI filed the complaint against Tia and Buyson for their alleged failure to obey the legal process in connection with the syndicated estafa complaint filed last year by Guevent Investments Development Corp. (GIDC) and Honeycomb Builders Inc. (HBI) against Tia, Buyson and other Omico executives.
A little background: On Sept. 26, 1995, a joint-venture agreement was entered into by GIDC and HBI, on the one hand, and Omico on the other, to develop parcels of real estate owned by GIDC and HBI along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati. Omico was to construct the condominiums.
Omico raised, through a public offering, P250 million to be used exclusively to develop the mixed-use condos. However, the amount was instead diverted to other projects and can no longer be accounted for. The amount went to Omico Kapital Inc., a subsidiary firm, only to be loaned back to Omico without interest.
It is not only the two partners asking where the money went but also the thousands of small investors who bought shares in Omico’s public offering. A publicly listed corporation, Omico’s board chair is Antonio Lopa, a relative of President Aquino.
Alberto Gaviola, legal counsel of GIDC and HBI, said in a letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the NBI investigation was going smoothly before the Aquino administration took over. After the Aquino takeover, however, Omico executives began snubbing subpoenas issued by the NBI.
The case was filed on Nov. 22, 2010, by the NBI with the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office but, curiously, was docketed with the Guevaras of Guevent as complainants. Gaviola told the investigating fiscal, Nestle A. Go, that the complainant was the NBI, not the Guevaras.
Gaviola said the DOJ takeover was improper. It is only after the resolution of a case by the prosecutor that the DOJ may take over a case for resolution, he said.
Now Mr. Agust C Fernando, this is a REAL case and could you explain to me why Pnoy’s relatives are not investigated by the NBI? I know 6 years in power is a short time but I don’t know the statute of limitations on this case.
Just curious –
Did you feed the same info about Omico to Neal Cruz or did you just lift this from him?
Because his column of jan 12, 2012 has what you have word for word –
http://opinion.inquirer.net/21021/graft-charges-filed-against-wrong-people
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken over the investigation and resolution of a syndicated estafa case still being investigated by the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office. The complainants, two Mandaluyong City-based companies, are questioning the motive of the DOJ.
Earlier, a complaint was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against two executives of Omico Corporation, Tommy Kin Hing Tia and Juana Lourdes Buyson, for obstruction of justice. The NBI filed the complaint against Tia and Buyson for their alleged failure to obey the legal process in connection with the syndicated estafa complaint filed last year by Guevent Investments Development Corp. (GIDC) and Honeycomb Builders Inc. (HBI) against Tia, Buyson and other Omico executives.
A little background: On Sept. 26, 1995, a joint-venture agreement was entered into by GIDC and HBI, on the one hand, and Omico on the other, to develop parcels of real estate owned by GIDC and HBI along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati. Omico was to construct the condominiums.
Omico raised, through a public offering, P250 million to be used exclusively to develop the mixed-use condos. However, the amount was instead diverted to other projects and can no longer be accounted for. The amount went to Omico Kapital Inc., a subsidiary firm, only to be loaned back to Omico without interest.
It is not only the two partners asking where the money went but also the thousands of small investors who bought shares in Omico’s public offering. A publicly listed corporation, Omico’s board chair is Antonio Lopa, a relative of President Aquino.
Alberto Gaviola, legal counsel of GIDC and HBI, said in a letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the NBI investigation was going smoothly before the Aquino administration took over. After the Aquino takeover, however, Omico executives began snubbing subpoenas issued by the NBI.
The case was filed on Nov. 22, 2010, by the NBI with the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office but, curiously, was docketed with the Guevaras of Guevent as complainants. Gaviola told the investigating fiscal, Nestle A. Go, that the complainant was the NBI, not the Guevaras.
Gaviola said the DOJ takeover was improper. It is only after the resolution of a case by the prosecutor that the DOJ may take over a case for resolution, he said.
You just added the last paragraph addressing Mr. Fernando.
From RICKY DE LA TORRE, somewhere in this discourses: “Corona worked in the private sector for 20 years. Early in his career, Corona served as special counsel at the Development Bank of the Philippines. He later became senior vice-president and general counsel of the Commercial Bank of Manila, and later a senior officer of the Tax and Corporate Counseling Group of the Tax Division of Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.), the country’s largest multidisciplinary professional services firm. I am sure a salary of a senior vice-president and general counsel for a bank is more than enough to justify his means. A senior officer for Sycip Gorres Velayo and Co can also command a very handsome salary. Inherited wealth could also be a factor since his family could afford to send him to Ateneo and Harvard.”
RICKY, bottom line is THROUGH ALL THOSE YEARS, Corona was able to amass “only” a total of P14.5 million mazzumahs as shown in one of his SALNs. RIGHT? Aminado ka? So how in tarnation was he able to pay his Bellagio thingie with ALL THE CASH IN HIS DISPOSAL? And what about the OTHER 45 — you read right, FORTY-FIVE, as in KWARENTA’Y SINGKO! — pieces of PROPERTIES IN EXPENSIVE, EXCLUSIVE PLACES IN METRO MANILA that your Idol Corona and Family own? WHERE, OR WHERE DID THEY GET THE MOOLAHS FOR THOSE?
B ALL AGAIN IN YOUR COURT, RICKY! HEHEHEHE.
Again you are already jumping to the conclusion that this is also true. 45 properties is a lot to amass in a short time on a Government employee salary. That is true. However, there was a reply by Corona that if these properties are real, he will give them away because they are not his and they do not exist. Remember the case with Senator Lacson regarding the Dacer-Corbito murder case? Suddenly, Mancao said there was 2 million dollars in his account that appeared out of nowhere that someone deposited. A demolition job is easy to do in the Philippines on any public figure. If they can counterfeit dollars and Gucci bags, they could easily create forged documents with someone’s signature on it. If the Philippines is like North America where you use a chip debit card, it is easy to trace transactions and there is NO WAY you can deny if you are actually earning this money and where you are spending it. A cashless society is what is being planned for the future where everyone has a microchip on their body and can be scanned for information. This information is in a database and cannot be duplicated and cannot be altered since there will be a timestamp each time a person will access this information. It will also show who attempted to access this information. Needless to say, it is “IDIOT PROOF”, and it will eliminate counterfeiters, drug dealers, blackmarket dealing, illegal transactions, money laundering, tax evaders, etc etc. This will also eliminate those Executives who are siphoning money out of companies, transfer or using company funds etc etc because the chip is only match to one person and that is the person where the microchip is embedded. Pero I was wondering bakit sa pinas even the payroll of employees they still use cash money instead of direct deposit and using a bank debit card with a security chip instead. This eliminates bank fraud and bank robberies easily. A bank robber cannot rob a store because there is no money. People cannot get robbed at gunpoint because there is nothing to take. A chip card can easily be stopped by calling a number and it will be cancelled as a security measure. The Philippines is still a long ways from being in the 21st century where everything is high tech. Anyways, yes, you are right, Corona may or may not be able to afford those properties if they existed. I doubt they are his and that this was his own doing. Probably some people that did a demolition job on his integrity. If they can manipulate the polls and manipulate votes or public surveys, they can easily forged documents. The Philippines is known for dirty tricks like this. Falsified identification, uttering false statements, etc etc. Remember “hello garci”? Or during Estrada’s trial , the false account he had? somehow down the line either Corona will fess up or some other people will. And those people who are involved must be scared out of their pants now.
Pls. put paragraphs in your comment.
Easier to read.
sorry. I will.
@ricky
This is from your own mouth: ” if they can manipulate polls and manipulate votes, they can easily fake documents” the only person accussed of rigging votes in 2004 & 2007 is GMA whose chief of staff was Corona. The person mho might present fake documents is Corona. Where is his installment loan document, bet you had yours when you bought your condo? So easy to produce, isn’t it?
Also when you copy and quote a writer, acknowledge the author so you wont be accused of plagiarism like SC justiice Del Castillo.
Fr JOHNNY lin somewhere here: “@ricky This is from your own mouth: ‘if they can manipulate polls and manipulate votes, they can easily fake documents’ the only person accussed of rigging votes in 2004 & 2007 is GMA whose chief of staff was Corona. The person mho [sic] might present fake documents is Corona. Where is his installment loan document, bet you had yours when you bought your condo? So easy to produce, isn’t it? Also when you copy and quote a writer, acknowledge the author so you wont be accused of plagiarism like SC justiice Del Castillo.”
I hope readers in this ongoing debate have discerned the sarcasm when I said Ricky de la Torre was my “idol” here. I said it in the manner a Jonathan Swift, a Samuel Clemens or a Westbrook Pegler would say it… in ironical vein. Now that we discover him, thru Raissa, to be ala-Supreme Court justice [read: PLAGIARIST], I won’t bother to read his posts anymore. I will just wait for Neal Cruz’s column. Neal was once one of my fave columnists in the defunct Manila Chronicle, along with IP Soliongco, Pura Santillan Castrence and Carmen Guerrero Nakpil.
Raissa, pardon if I put here this correction of my entry below. There is no REPLY buton in my item…. “Neal was once one of my fave columnists in the defunct Manila Chronicle, along with IP Soliongco, Pura Santillan Castrence and Carmen Guerrero Nakpil.” I think Neal H.Cruz’s paper was The Evening News, not the Manila Chronicle. Soliongco and Nakpil, tho, were with MC. Castrence, with Manila Bulletin(?). Not a big deal. Just for the record — and I hope — accuracy.
@Ricky
Do you understand what you’re reading about future technology. Let us dissect:
“chip debit card” – is also available in the Philippines to those with large bank deposits if you are not aware of it, usually a minimum of maintained 1 million pesos in the account. With your 360,000 canadian dollar you could do this when you desire to retire in our paradise. Sorry to tell you, that amount is not enough to buy a house in our subdivision, the minimum price is of our houses is 20 million pesos. I would love you to be my neighbor.
Body micrchip: it is not “idiot proof” , ” fool proof” yes; idiot= gago; fool= naloko
This microchip will never be imbedded in the body because thats only in the movies and North America will never be a garisson society in the near future.
“direct payroll deposits” this is what you are talking about salary being deposited instead of cash payment : it does not eliminate bank robbery because the money is still deposited in the banks. You are probably talking about “armored car robbery” which is entirely different.
Electronic transactions are a lot more harder to steal. Armed bank robbers cannot rob paperless money that is recorded electronically. This is why they are aiming for a cashless society. Because they want to eliminate fraud, blackmarket economy from drugs, money laundering, counterfeiting, etc etc., money from the mob, terrorists and all kinds of illegal transactions. Currency is always being de-valued. Prior to 1973, the value of the dollar was always pegged with the value of GOLD. After 1973, Nixon based the value of the dollar based on it’s strenght and the market economy. In reality, the value of the US greenback has been going down ever since. Each time the price of OIL (barrel) goes up, the value of your dollar goes down. Each time, your U.S. government PRINTS more money, the value of your dollar goes down. It’s like the Russia ruble or the Mexican Peso before. It was so devalued against the dollar, everytime I went to mexico for holidays and exchanged my dollar, I had to carry a barrel full of mexican pesos. That’s what your AMERICAN dollar is heading for. A complete ZERO. It is not even worth the paper, it’s printed on. I bet the INK is worth more than the dollar bill itself.
hey ricky you look like you read too much but have you heard of identity theft. your electronic transaction or deposit will be easy to steal with your personal info and the smart criminal mind. and besides that if your bank will go under its just being insured for 100k and your out of luck if you have more. stop bragging about your wealth dude, it make me sick. my friends here in chicago cant stand your comments regarding your presume knowledge of the US finances. have you heard of the homehealth care boom in the united states where most of the owners are filipino nurses, our money is still good anywhere, have you heard of anybody using a canadian dollar for a business transaction. regarding your comment about the 2for1 hummer, nobody want to buy those trucks due to gas consumption we have hybrids now which are more expensive than hummers, and just for your info, i just switch my bently to an rr last month. now are we getting porrer or what…..
YOu might be sleeping all the time which is why you think everything is fine.
Take a look at some of these REALITIES that are going on :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmDnxcICvF8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujpmhGUNjKk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzjiW4U4V9g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKHyLNvZwpI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd0QvpdJD6Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F43e-wKY5IE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjoBtNvBPIM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6vi528gseA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r9o3jmyoaA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4YCjjqwH8M&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXIrfjLsmaU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxalsJBRc_Y&feature=related
Didn’t you notice it? Even the Euro is in serious trouble? Countries like Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Iceland, Ireland are bankrupt? And you think the US is doing OK? You’re living in a house of cards. One strong wind will blow your house down in a matter of seconds.
So go ahead and keep investing in US Treasuries and US Savings Bonds. Keep buying US stocks and buy US real estate. hahahaha, you’re going down dude.
You keep living in your fairy tale dreamland without ever realizing what is so oblivious that is going on around you? hahahahaha
I have relatives and friends in your neighborhood. Yes, I can afford to buy a 20 million pesos home there if I get my inherited properties sold at the right prices too. And if my business ideas become successful. But, my sister’s friends who live in those posh neighborhoods are also trying to sell some of their properties, and they can’t even find buyers willing to pay their asking price or even just the current market value.
I see a lot of rental properties in Makati and The Fort that are vacant for 8 months. Yes, they may find a renter for a few weeks but after that it is dead. The problem is overpriced units, some units cost more than a luxury hotel in the Canada. Some of the renters try to rent their units for $3000 a month when in Toronto, you can get the same quality for $1900 dollars. And considering the average salary of a worker here makes at least $47,000 dollars a year. Garbage collectors working in the Union (City workers) practically make $60,000 dollars a year. Bus Drivers for the Toronto Transit Commission make about $58,000 dollars a year plus lots of benefits.
This is why I believe the Philippines is another bubble to burst. Overpriced Units there are just going to be vacant. No one in his right mind would pay for some of those Units even if they had the money or income to do so because they are overvalued. Believe me, that kind of thing will never happen here. And Canada’s economy is certainly more stable than Europe and the United States.
Besides, I prefer to live modestly as I cannot tell what will happen in the future. With all this economic instability around the world, it is not wise to spend frivolously buying luxury things and homes that you cannot sustain in the long run.
My strategy is just to lay low and invest my resources for a few years and wait until 2015 or 2016 when it might be safer. There is even a possibility of a World War III and another economic depression that may occur. I just need to lay low and live within the means and not squander everything. Hoping to gain some advantage later when the economy becomes clearer and better.
@JOHNNY LIN:
Just to show you that I am telling the truth. Here is a link to salaries of Garbage drivers and collectors working for the city of Toronto :
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/655607
They make more than the president of the Philippines? LOL
Here is a link to Toronto Transit Bus Drivers :
http://www3.ttc.ca/Jobs/transit_operator_drivers_recruitment.jsp
Most average bus drivers make $58,000 a year or even higher after working 3 years or more. That is not including overtime pay, holiday pay (which is double time and triple time if the holiday falls on a Sunday) which also on top of their base salary, benefits, paid sick days, etc etc.
I have a mechanic cousin in New York City who makes $90,000 dollars a year. Can your senators make that kind of money? That is why it is a joke in the Philippines. Get an education, work hard, study hard and be poor. Mayaman pa yun mga crooked and corrupt and that includes the present administration.
New york $90,000, bet your cousin does not live in the city and rides subway to work, brings lunch to work and washes his clothes. In Manila, with that kind of money we have maids and driver, and we barely work., he he he
FYI, a senior officer for SGV DOES NOT command a handsome salary, or at least handsome enough to buy whatever’s in his SALN.
From ZEE somewhere here: “FYI, a senior officer for SGV DOES NOT command a handsome salary, or at least handsome enough to buy whatever’s in his SALN.” I’m inclined to believe this. I think SGV is a cheapskate when it comes to compensation/salary of its people. A starting level CPA, even if you are a cum laude grad of a respectable school like UST, gets only P12,000 per month. Which is really a pauper’s pay in this time and clime! Especially in Makati.
Cuevas guilty of saying that Corona was still amortizing the penthouse and at the same time he said Corona did not give to him yet any document in the condo. Installment payment was also stated in the answers to impeachment complaints. Then, what was his proof on installment statement?
These lawyers wrote something definite without Corona giving them the proof? They look stupid based on Cuevas media interview. No wonder Atty Francisco resigned from the team because he did not agree that statements were not backed up by documents which could be easily furnished by Corona if true. This is more believable reason of a lawyer with integrity rather than any other excuses on his withdrawal.
The lawyers had misunderstanding on kowtowing to Corona’s withholding vital information away from them. Some were still treating him with reverence rather than a client. Cuevas unwittingly implied this in his interview, expected because of age related memory lapses. Corona could not trust his lawyers because they were volunteers, could be treacherous informants since few had been against GMA before. The documents exposed by Raissa in this blog proved the suspicion of some honest Corona’s lawyers.
Unsurprising that Cuevas would withdraw eventually too, citing poor health. His credibility and dignity sullied by his own statement contradicted by exposed deeds of absolute sale. Cuevas, lawyer, ex SC justice making stupid claim,hearsay without evidence which his client could furnish to him immediately if there are documents of monthly installment. Kawawang matanda, masisira ang reputasyon sa pagtatago ni Corona ng ebidensiya sa kanya.
It is interesting to note that lawyers have their Code of Professional Responsibility to abide by. This appears on the IBP website.
As an example, see Rule 19.02 below:
Rule 19.02 – A lawyer who has received information that his client has, in the course of the representation, perpetrated a fraud upon a person or tribunal, shall promptly call upon the client to rectify the same, and failing which he shall terminate the relationship with such client in accordance with the Rules of Court.
I suggest readers should refer to this Code so that we know whether the lawyers behavior do not breach their Code.
I am wondering how many of the lawyers (especially those representing Corona because there are 15 of them) abide by their Code. (On the side, I am reminded of Lambino, Topacio, Flaminiano, Arroyo, et al being GMA’s lawyers, and whether they did not breach Rule 19.02).
it is interesting
Could you provide a link to the Code, pls, so everyone can read the entire thing.
Thanks for the info.
Very interesting.
here is the link http://ibp.ph/downloads.html, the click on Code of Professional Responsibility to download the PDF file where you can find all the Codes,
Thanks!
@Ding
Right on the money. corona was not furnishing them documents/information that is why they were forced to file motions to delay, including soliciting few lawyers to intervene in SC despite their knowledge that SC must not interfere on impeachent. francisco was uncomfortable aside from the Villar issue so he resigned from the team.The answer contained the installment payment on the condo because Corona said so and promised to give them documents but Prosecutors pre-empted by revelation and they were all surprised. There was too much blaming after seeing the Raissa documents. Delos Angeles was having second thoughts but so far he was persuaded to stay put. Hofilena was being filled up thru phone and text, same issue he decided not to participate. The conflict of interest with his son was minor issue.
Cuevas forced media interview was revealing, he was trying to exonerate himself by saying “due to the unique position of Corona, i did not ask for the documents” Lousy excuse because he must treat him as a plain truthful client rather than an honorable justice in terms of submitting evidences. He did not become justice not to know this simple client lawyer evidence sharing relationship. He was seething mad for being conned easily by Corona but he was already deeply committed to him so he fulfills his end of the bargain, Saving face!
@Johnny lin
CASE SCENARIO
What if CJ R Corona and his lead lawyer Serafin Cuevas are quite right on their own version of public pronouncements? With the lawyer acting innocently and submissive, like a lap dog. By an ex-Supreme Court Associate Justice to the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The Coronas claim they are still paying off a loan they used to purchase a property at Bellagio. Cuevas claims the same except that Corona hasn’t supplied him documentary evidence to support this claim. Which is very odd considering R Corona is a lawyer. Also that R Corona allowed his lawyers to submit his answers for the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate Impeachment – unsigned!
Since Cuevas lack the document evidence (no Contract to Sell from Megaworld) to support these claims on the Bellagio property yet, there is no way to accurately identify what is this Bellagio Property the Coronas claim they still continue to pay by installments.
——————
Raïssa’s excellent investigative reporting has unearthed or received documents that prove the Coronas do have a Bellagio Property. These materials purport to signify that it is fully paid by virtue of a Deed of Absolute Sale from Megaworld bearing the name of the Coronas , amount paid, etc.
Raïssa’s documents refers to the Bellagio 38 B (CCT No 19497), Parking Lots No 50 – 52 (CCT No 19651 – 19653). It is fully paid – no loan repayments outstanding.
CASE THEORY: More than one Bellagio Unit
Is it possible to assume that the Coronas have more than one unit located in the same Bellagio street address but on different parts of the building? And that they have more one property with Megaworld at the same Bellagio address? Is it suffice to say that the one that Raïssa has brought to light is one that is fully paid, and the second is what CJ R Corona admits to still paying off the loan?
As you also noted, Corona’s lawyer Serafin Cuevas maintains that R Corona hasn’t supplied him THE documentary evidence , such as a Contract to Sell between Megaworld and the Coronas?
A bigger question everyone should be asking; what is the relationship of Megaworld and the Coronas in relation to the Bellagio Property(s)? What arrangement do they have for the Coronas to secure these property(s). As we are aware by now, CJ R Corona penned one of the Megaworld cases before his sala in their favor.
——————
UNLESS A WHISTLE BLOWER WHO IS PRIVY TO THESE do testify with irrefutable first-hand evidence, AND OTHERS – TOO DIFFICULT TO PROVE THAT ANYTHING WAS ILLEGAL. The solon-prosecutors should be at their best to convince a political win over these allegations.
Usually if there is a criminal complaint, the police or an investigating body (e.g. NBI) with special police powers can raid offices, confiscate materials and investigate the matter. Anything allowed by law to investigate a criminal behavior to warrant prosecution. If there are evidences gathered/collected, it would be recommended for criminal prosecution by a public or gov’t prosecutor(s).
In CJ R Corona’s case, it is by impeachment. There was no formal investigation or collection of evidences. Except those that are now in the room-full of evidences that Rep. Tupas claims they have against the Chief Justice. BUT this is a political trial, an impeachment process to try to forcibly remove a seating gov’t Chief Justice official. The Legislative Branch is endowed with special powers to impeach the Executive Leader or any member of the Judiciary.
LOL.
YOu are more sneaky in your thoughts than I am.
Hi Raïssa,
LOL!
I was merely toying with the idea that if it was the case scenario.
These people are not simpletons, as much as I would like to berate their wrongdoings, infuse a moral compass on their failures and castigate them for their absence or loss of professional etiquettes, and the like.
Sometimes, crooked people(corona, cuevas) of the same trade just nod, wink and look at each other (without saying much) for just affirming that their sorry circumstances (like R Corona) are survivable.
Shrewd and cunning people (old school so to speak) can always get themselves around a predicament.
Sa simpleng salita, “Kung may lusot, may gusot”.
Like many of your ardent readers, I really hope your light and good example will cast its rays on people who are privy on cases like this. So that they can be enlightened and show cause to spill the beans. THEY MUST DO THE RIGHT THING.
Expose and reveal what they know, and find your channel to correct the wrong and put a stop to the shenanigans placed on a very important institution of our country.
You know – so far, the commenters – for and against, haven’t thought as yet of the people who got the bitter end of the injustice rulings and gravel decisions (including flipflops) that CJ R Corona have made. Simply because, the people they were up against can solicit or influence judges’ decisions on their favor.
The Solon-prosecutors should darn know what they have, and surest on what they need to do for a successful impeachment.
Dakal Salamat keka Raïssa.
Very fertile ang imagination mo. talo mo pa si Raissa. LOL!
@Leon
Hindi ooii.
Si Raissa ang ilaw, sumusunod lang tayo sa liwanag niya.
May katotohanan ang liwanag kasi niya – kabayan.
Hindi biro ang nangyayari sa bansang pilipinas ngayon.
Kung gusto mong umunlad at maiayos ang bansa, makibaka ka sa tama.
kungdi ang maralita, ang maliliit na tao ang maiipit at mahihirapan sa bandang huli.
Ang mga taong makapangyarihan corrupt ang unang managot, magmula sa itaas at pababa. Para may halimbawa na ‘no one is indispensable or above the law’. Lahat ay pantay – pantay. Kungdi, paikot-ikot lang ang ganiyang buhay at pamamaraan sa bansang pilipinas.
Kaya kung may ebidensiya ka kay PNOY about corruption, gaya ng sabi mo sa ibang threads mo. Pakiusapan mo si Ginang Raissa na magtulungan kayong ibulgar din dito. Walang lokohan.
Eh kung isa ka sa mga bayaran na ibebenta ang kaluluwa para magdanak ng mali o pampagulo, eh baguhin mo at sumabay ka sa liwanag para matuwid ang kamalian. Kung tutuong tao ka naman, pagpasensiyahan mo na lang ako – kabayan.
Mabalos.
@mel
Your scenario of another property on installment goes back to the basic questions: where is his source of income to be able to pay $14 million monthly installment in 5 years( max time in philippine banks)? How did he acquire this other property? Why did he answer Bellagio property is on installment? its the other property that was on installment, not Bellagio. How the loan from first property was used was immaterial. Besides, it does not make sense to amortize another property when you could amortize the new Bellagio although its personal choice. The more alibis, the more they will be caught in web of lies. Its so easy to produce mortgage papers, show them or name the bank and Raissa could ask the bank if true, the way she investigated BIR and Taguig tax Assessor. Its beginning to look more that there is no installment plan every day no paper trail is produced. Which bank or private individual wants to be dragged into this sensational case by backdating loans in millions? It will invite scrutiny from IRS and Anti money laundering for private individuals. Even Mike Arroyo could not save Corona.
According to Cuevas himself, whatever was submitted to the Senate could not be changed, so they could not change their answer to this property that it is still being paid on installment.
Niluto ang sarili sa sariling mantika, di ba?
BIR not IRS.
@mel
There is another outlet scenario, Corona could use. Her daughter Cheryl in San Francisco is paying the loan.Then the daughter has to prove the loan, what US bank she got the loan, when and was she qualified with her income? 14 million pesos is equivalent to at least $340,000 in 2009. How did she bring the money to the Philippines? Bank checks or cash?
If Cheryl says she had the cash lent to her parents then same process, she could be reported for investigation by IRS and Anti Money Laundering office in US if she has the ability to possess that kind of money. I would tend to believe this scenario the reason delay for trial was being explored in many ways. But then, its easy to seek paper trails in US, the way the Ligots were prosecuted so the daughter has to be really careful.
@Johnny lin.
As for the source of funds or income to afford the loan repayments, it remains to be seen. His SALNs are not available to ascertain his real assets, liabilities & net worth. Mortgage terms & conditions, for all we know – the Coronas may have a special rate and schedule to repay it in 25 years +, or maybe until never EVER.
From the announcements of both, R Corona didn’t deny the Bellagio property. His admission is preceded by ‘still paying by installments’. Whereas the evidences presented here, it is done and dusted since Jan 2010. Should it be deliberated in the Senate Impeachment, they may already have a ‘hat trick’ up their sleeves to belie the Bellagio property.
Agyaman ak apo. Thanks mate!
The longest real estate term in the philippines is 10 years, commonly 5 years. Even with 50% down payment the loan balance of 7 million pesos will entail to pay principal and interest rate of 4%(impossible rate for ordinary citizen), the monthly payment for 10 years is at least 70,000 pesos a month. Chief justice does not earn that much a month. My guess his salary borders in the 40- 47,000 a month range.
FYI, Mortgage life terms here in Australia have a maximum of 25 years, some banks do offer 30 years.
However, the monthly mortgage repayments can be paid more than the minimum. If the person paying a mortgage pays more than minimum each month over several years, the life term of the mortgage is cut down sooner than the expected life term.
@downunder
In Australia, Canada, USA, England mortgage term is longer up to 30 years but not with banks in the Philippines because the mortgages are not packaged to be resold to investors unlike in other countries. Usually 5 years, 10 years to special clients at the most in Philippine banks. Maybe SS, GSIS and Pagibig loans offer longer terms but they dont offer to large loans like that of Corona condo amount.
@mel
Meron ng lumabas ng SALN ni Corona 1992 and 2002. Maximum assets niya 14 million pesos na kasama sigurado dun yung Xavierville house property niya. So from 2002- 2009 imposible magkarun siya ng 14 million cash o mabayaran ng installment Bellagio sa SC justice salary niya. Kung binenta yung bahay dapat me record yun. Isa lang conclusion kahit gaano niya ipagkaila — graft and corruption. Kaya ang ginagawa lang ng abogado niya magfile to delay the trial habang naghahagilap ng documents. Maramimg ng umatras na tao sa pakiusap nila.
@Johnny lin
Better than nothing, but a good start to base R Corona’s SALN circa 1992 2002.
Just read the news, now the Corona defense team are asking to summon several House Representatives from the speaker down to the prosecutor.
Spare Speaker in Corona trial: Remulla
@mel
The latest is the prosecutors sre asking senate to subpoena all members of Corona family including their ITRs and records of properties all over metromanila. This is what I have been talking about ” manufacturing documents”, the reason delaying tactic was the strategy of Corona camp approach. Corona should spare his family but I dont think he will escape corruption charges after resignation or conviction. The phase of shame the family has started. Corona should have realized that Pnoy men had been collecting evidences against him since he accepted midnight appointment and government employees trying to curry favors from PNoy men for their own future were volunteering information. He miscalculated Pnoy’s resolve because he relied from GMA assurance.
@Johnny lin
Tit for Tat ang magkabilang panig.
Hindi pa naguumpisa, paramihan ng summons request.
A lot of worms and Corona family dirty laundry will be ‘budding’ on this saga.
With all the Corona attention, nasapawan si Gloria at si Abalos.
At si Homo Adaza – pumapapel na uli.
Corona emotional, holds back tears in novena Mass, also when the couple listens to the Impossible Dream being played – they too can’t hold on to their emotions. Makes us all wonder what their tears are for, and for what depressing state they regale in. Was it the expose or the impeding threat that all will be lost, including their family honor.
This time, association with GMA is proving to be a disaster. Reality is setting in.
The former president doesn’t get it, she still has the temerity & gall to belittle and blame PNoy for the economy. GMA schools PNoy: ‘It’s the economy, student’.
This is where the impossible has come to naught.
The student’s fervor for economic, political & social change has led his teacher to jail for betraying the very principles she taught her students back at school.
We are all witnessing something not of the ordinary.
Only those financially threatened by PNoy anti corrupt crusade are resisting him. The worst credo is Corona, he says he is doing it to keep PH democracy and pretend to be religious. Trying to make Jesus stand besides him. what a prick!
Yo nitwit, you should not have accepted midnight appointment if democracy was battlecry in your heart. You should have told GMA before, Im Godly!
i like the term “explored in many ways” -> clever!
@rose
It was obvious from what we read on their moves. Start analyzing when Corona addressed the employees of the court after impeachment. Remember he is a lawyer. At that time he said he wanted a quick trial. Since then every time his lawyers say something the following day another theory is offered. TRO in SC by 4 different lawyers and IBP, impaired verified complaints, will ask all 188 congressmen to testify, censure of prosecutors, subpoena the speaker and 5 others, emergency TRO by Adaza/Paguia all in less than 4 weeks. They are throwing not only the kitchen sink but also the food incinerator and dishwasher to delay trial. What is the logical conclusion of this tactic: There are no installment payment documents on the condo matching his SALN. Corona is trying to manufacture documents, especially on his assets, bank deposits and loan that will pass scrutiny that is why forensic test on all submitted documents must be requested by Prosecutors. Wait till you read the bank deposits from at least 3 international banks. One account was closed already.
@rose
A good one liner though, ‘…explored in many ways’.
Keeps the public at the edge of their seats. While trickles of documentary bits N pieces drizzles in the airwaves all over.
This is the bloggers own pre-trial participation as the crumbs falls from the kitchen table to digest. The chef author markets for ingredients, prepares the viand, presents it on the table, and while bloggers have a look, smell, taste – they express their opinions if is worth to munch or criticize why the viand choice, argue if anyone’s allergic to some ingredients, while others checks their diets, few are weight conscious, and so on.
Piece meal, right?
But another drinks a mexican beer called Corona, and says, ‘That was refreshing’.
Sorry for the Troll Raïssa.
Ginutom sa kababasa ng maraming comments.
@Johnny lin
You often quote, RA 6713 Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials specifically Section 7(d), acceptance of gifts.
The burden of proof is on the solon-prosecutors to prove that it was a gift, a favored arrangement between Megaworld & the Coronas or establish that it is an unexplained wealth by the CJ.
But the articles of impeachment in reference to this Bellagio Item may only apply in articles 2 (SALN) & 8 (JUDICIARY DEVELOPMENT FUND (JDF) AND SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR THE JUDICIARY (SAJ)). Nothing even on unexplained wealth, except if the solons-prosecutor will lead the questioning towards CJ dipping into the Judiciary funds to pay by installments (or in full) the Bellagio Property(s).
NOT A SURE THING if the Bellagio item will be mentioned or raised in the Impeachment proceedings by reason of relevance to Articles 2 & 8..
With no Corona SALN available as basis, what is there as a resource to prove his unexplained wealth – if there is.
Can’t the Senate Impeachment (or solon-prosecutor) summon documents like this from the Judiciary Branch? Are they allowed to summon judiciary personnel as well to be resource witnesses for or against the CJ R Corona?
Depends on Enrile and the senator-judges.
Raissa is right. Any supporting evidence could be submitted to the senators, like that envelope in Erap case. Of course Corona team will oppose anything against their client but the Bellagio is in play now because it was admitted in the answer. The bone of contention is “still being paid on installment”. In my opinion Corona lawyers were blindsided by him and accepted his assurance on this and I say again it was elaborated by Cuevas the extent of his knowledge which is almost incompetency or negligence for not asking for proof before putting it in the answer. “Due to the position of Corona” is telltale! Cuevas sounded remorseful, isn’t it?
Ehh di okay na.
CJ R Corona’s SALN can be produced in the Senate Impeachment if either side requires it.
The Senate Impeachment – Senators (Judges) can so order the Judiciary Branch to produce the hoarded SALNs. Eh di mainam.
IF it is submitted, can they include the whole nine yards… since R Corona became a Supreme Court Associate Justice to the present year as Chief?
Bank deposit documents? Phone records? Travel itineraries (overseas, domestic) for the last x years?
An inquisition? It remains to be seen.
@mel
If you look back at our exchanges with saxnviolins, i have been pointing out that 3 impeachment articles have claws but Article II SALN has the most substance and best chance for conviction which Saxnviolins criticized but if you read his latest posting in this aricle, he realized he made a mistake in interpreting it. He said ooops.
Keep rolling mate
@Johnny lin
From recent news, there are at least 4 condominium units involved.
Some of the ‘room-filled evidences’ of the House Prosecutors?
Here are the latest salvo from the House Prosecutors against CJ R Corona and concerned Associate Justices:
- Prosecutors: Coronas amassed 40 properties in 9 years | ABS-CBN News
- “Eh di ilabas nila. Kung mailalabas nila iyong properties ko ibibigay ko na lang sa kanila (So disclose it. If they could produce the properties they can have them)…I will sign a deed of donation,” Corona told reporters after the 7th day of Novena at the Supreme Court.
- SC justices risk impeachment over PAL case – Casiño
- Corona mum, emotional about prosecution team’s request to summon family members
Thanks for the links.
Million dollar question, How many of those condos are Megaworld properties?
40 undeclared properties with an average value of 5 million pesos, that is 200 million pesos in 9 years. Excluding daily lifestyle and bank deposits. No wonder he is clinging to CJ position.
He should have seen this mess coming to his family since accepting CJ appointment. If he did not, the summa cum laude is undeserving.
Megaworld got mega projects, mega government lots only during the time of Arroyo, (former Iloilo airport, Villamor, Jusmag, Public Safety College place in Fort Bonifacio) Andrew Tan wasnt even on the billionaires lists before. Was his closeness to the former FG merited some favors?
I dont have know how on the realty business but having worked in Fort Bonifacio, BGC now, Ive seen the transformation of Fort Boni from grassy, bushy to posh luxury, a more than 300sq m penthouse unit for P14M only, that is really a steal. I dont think that is the real value of that property.
And with the salary plus allowances of a CJ, no way can he buy that Bellagio unit unless he is super rich and has other businesses.
It is really very hard to fight corruption.
14.5 million pesos is about $340,375.58 Canadian Dollars. I just sold my condo for $360,000 and Im NOT super-rich. Don’t you people have some sort of standards? A typical middle class standard house in my neighborhood goes easily for $400,000 to $500,000 dollars. A filipino guy who wanted to buy my condo before works in the IT industry and he is trying to sell his 4 bedroom house in Scarborough for $600,000 dollars and that’s very middle class here. Super rich people here have homes in the $3,000,000 dollar range for a modest mansion, not really extravagant to super luxury mansions with 13 acres or more for $25,000,000 +++ This is definitely making the Philippines look really like a bunch of government people that are poorer than Garbage collectors from Toronto or New York City. New York city garbage collectors make $80,000 dollars a year. Look it up if you don’t believe me. This is why I think, some type of syndicate or mafia is holding government employees by the balls because of the lower standard of living, the poor salaries and certainly the backstabbing of filipinos against each other trying to get “pogi” points from the public and the present administration. it’s a joke.
By the way, a Supreme Court Chief Justice here would be making more than $300,000 dollars in today’s Canadian dollars. See below chart set in 2004:
Here are the salaries that were set in 2004, effective for four years.
Department of Justice Canada
8] The alternative formula is discussed infra., Recommendation 16,
Representational Costs.
[9] Recommendation 1: The Commission recommends that the salary of puisne
judges be established as follows.
Effective April 1, 2004, $240,000,
inclusive of statutory indexing on that date, and for the next three years:
$240,000 plus cumulative statutory indexing effective April 1 of each of
those years.
(“Statutory indexing”: under the Judges Act, judicial salaries are indexed
to the Industrial Aggregate Wage.)
[10] “puisne” refers to a judge who does not hold the office of Chief
Justice.
[11] Recommendation 2: The Commission recommends that the salaries of the
justices of the Supreme Court of Canada and the chief justices and
associate chief justices should be set as of April 1, 2004, and inclusive
of statutory indexing, at the following levels:
Supreme Court of Canada:
Chief Justice of Canada $308,400
Justices $285,600
Federal Court and Tax Court of Canada:
Chief Justices $263,000
Associate Chief Justices $263,000
Appeal Courts, Superior and Supreme Courts and Courts of Queen’s Bench:
Chief Justices $263,000
Associate Chief Justices $263,000
whats your point. why are you comparing the standard of canada and phillippines, you did not take into consideration that the value of the land cost more sometimes than the actual cost of the house, in canada and united states may i remind you that the location of your house affects the price. for a comparison, my 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in trump towers in downtown chicago cost the same as my 6 bedrooms 5 bath house with indoor swimming pool in the suburbs. jonhhy lin is right go back home and re emerse yourself of being a filipino. you sound canadian and pretend to be a canadian but when you look at the mirror what can you see. been living here in the states for over 45 years but did not stop in dreaming that someday someone will have the political will to stand up against the corruption and stop the old and the same. lets start prosecuting the top then down the line. all we need is the start……
KARMA ANG TAWAG DIYAN MGA KAPATID, Sa sobrang pagkagahaman ni thief justice corona sa kapangyarihan, kayamanan at Salapi ay ginamit ang lahat nang paraan para makapanloko, makapandaya, makapagsinungaling at Magpayaman para sa Pansariling PAKINABANG…at Tama ang sabi sa Banal na AKLAT, “WALANG SINO MANG MATALINO, MAYAMAN, AT MAKAPANGYARIHAN TAO ANG MAKAKALIGTAS SA ANOMANG NAKARAAN NA KANYANG GINAWA”, AMEN….
One of the subjects in the law course is Legal Ethics where a student is taught not only to prepare pleadings, affidavits etc., but far more importantly to convey only the truth. Nowhere can you find a professor teaching a student to concoct stories. Sad to note that when they practice law its almost the other way around..
Kasi sa pondohan sa mall at beer garden ang class lesson dun, hindi classroom
Saka nga pala hindi textbook ang gamit, textfon
Ethics have something more to do with moral principles or that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions. But then again MORALITY also depends on a persons culture?, ancestral customs?, religious beliefs / customs?, individual creed or simply a person’s upbringing depending on the environment they were brought up in.
The reason I mentioned all these criteria is what might be moral for a certain person might be immoral to another person. One example is in Religion. Under the strict Muslim or Islamic Sharia laws in some of the middle east, women are supposed to wear a niqab while in Afghanistan women under Taliban rules must wear a burka. If you are a country of democratic laws and have no prejudice and discrimination against people of other religion or faith or customs, then you allow certain ancestral customs to be practiced and traditional costumes or attire to be worn in your country.
This leads us to the question about getting a discount, is it a violation of the law for someone to get a discount? YES OR NO? If YES, please provide the ruling and article where this could be found. This is just basing things in a practical sense. GIFTS obviously received by a Government employee particularly someone in authority is seen as a sign of some kind or form of bribery. However, a discount can be given to anyone and at anytime on a lot of things. I get discounts all the time. I buy products on sale when I shop. Call me frugal and maybe prudent in my nature but bottom line is I try to save money when I can when I shop. Even more so for a person working for the Government because they have a small salary so they can only afford sales, and products sold on discounts. Are I right? Or are government employees NOT allowed to shop for luxury items ON SALE?
Here is a link to Eml Jurado’s editorial regarding the on-going impeachment :
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideOpinion.htm?f=2012/january/13/emiljurado.isx&d=2012/january/13
You might want to expand your mind and read it to get a different view of the impeachment. Like I said once before, there is always two sides to a coin. If someone is holding a coin with both heads then he is lying, cheating and is holding a crooked coin because no two sides should be alike.
Correction: I meant “AM I RIGHT?” and NOT “ARE I RIGHT?” LOL my apologies. Im using my laptop and my fingers find it harder to type than on a desktop.
@ricky
Kung hindi mo alam, Si Emil Jurado, crook din yan. Kumita siya ng malaki nung panahon ni GMA bilang Director ng PNOC. Pinatalsik siya ni PNoy. Kaya puro against siya kay Aquino ngayun. Bias siya kaya baka wala pang sampung tao naniniwala sa kanya. Sayang kung kailan siya tumanda saka ang kaispan nabaluktot, hindi naman niya kailangan ng pera siguro na.
Ngayon sa gifts na sinasabi mo, google mo RA ui6713, me definition dun ang “gifts” na hindi dapat tanggapin ni Corona.
have you read the anti kickback law in the united states and canada. even discounts are prohibited up to certain amount if you receive something in return.
easy reading, may mapupulot kang pag-iisipan, pati mga comments napa-follow through. keep it up, ms robles!
Thanks.
With your name, I believe you can appreciate the following quote –
“Uneasy lies the head that wears the corona….”
PNoy’s Pork Barrel (unaudited and unprogrammed):
2011 — P68B
2012 — P120B
I am expecting Raissa to also investigate how PNoy spent the billions of taxpayers’ money. in 2011.
I think it is fair that people should know because if he cannot account on this and cannot be transparent
about it, then his slogan “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” does not mean a thing.
How about GMA’s pork barrel?
Pakibigay mo na rin sa akin. So I can make a comparison.
yes!…yes!…and yes!!!!…why not GMA too!!!
@Leon
Paki pasa mo na rin sa amin iyong kay Manuel L Quezon at mula kay Elpidio Quirino.
Medyo hawig mo kasi!
Ano iyong letrang B sa P120B?
Bullshit ba?
Mukha nga…
Mali bang malaman kung saan napupunta ang pera ng bayan? Papayag ka ba na walang audit ang paggastos ni pNoy sa pera natin? akala ko ba Matuwid na Daan tayo ngayon. Bakit walang transparency sa usapin na ito.
@Humming Bird.
Gaya ng sabi ng dakilang manunulat:
raissa says:
January 12, 2012 at 7:07 am
Give me proof.
I’ll publish it.
Raissa, the proof is they have no proof of disbursements. Can you ask them if they have proof on this matter. I appreciate very your diligence in ferreting out the truth, especially if you could look into billions of people’s money on the hands of one man.
Pati na rin yung intelligence fund at presidential allotment fund of both presidents
the problem is intelligence fund is not subjected to auditing kaya nagiging milking cow yan ng mga nakaupo sa govt
Just do them both. It appears that Pnoy might just want the public to focus their attention on GMA and Corona while he and his croonies partake in some of the spoils themselves while everyone’s eyes are glued on the past administration. It’s a magician’s illusionist trick. Do them both and I bet Pnoy is just as guilty as the rest of them. It’s like the pot calling the kettle black when both of them are
I am NOT focusing on CJ Corona right now because of what PNoy wants.
It’s what I believe is important right now.
A CJ has to have integrity.
I suggest you don’t focus only on Corona. Train your eyes on the big crocodile with P68B unaudited pork barrel in 2011 and P120B in 2012. how did Pnoy spend that big amount of people’s money. Maybe you can start with ABAD.