Corona prosecutors hailed for 'unprecedented achievement'

THE House of Representatives held on Wednesday a victory party for the "unprecedented achievement" of its 11-man prosecution team during the impeachment trial of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Before it adjourned sine die, the House adopted House Resolution (HR) 2463 commending the congressmen-prosecutors; HR 2462 for the 57 private prosecutors; and HR 2461 for the impeachment secretariat staff.

Corona was convicted in the Senate impeachment tribunal last week for his untruthful declaration of his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).

Only three of the 23 senator-judges voted to acquit the former chief magistrate.

"The said conviction is the first in Philippine history, and a milestone that is expected to usher in a new era of truth, transparency and accountability in government, having opened the eyes of the people to the need for drastic reforms in all branches of government, particularly in the Judiciary, in order to establish a government that is truly responsive to the people’s desire for public accountability and transparency consistent with the sacred principle that public office is a public trust," the resolution stated.

"The entire nation is grateful for the diligence, hard work, skill, professionalism, commitment, and strength of character exhibited by the members of the prosecution team of the House of Representatives, and their admirable dedication and concerted effort to bring such a daunting task to its conclusion," it added.

The House resolutions were signed by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II.

The House prosecutors, for their part, filed HR 2464, which commended Belmonte and Gonzales for guiding the House impeachment team. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)