Palace: Corona blew chance to explain self

MALACAÑANG said Tuesday that Chief Justice Renato Corona failed to take advantage of the opportunity given by the Senate impeachment court to clear his name of allegations being thrown against him.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Corona was given an “unprecedented display of liberality” in court but the chief magistrate did not make the most of it.
“Mr. Corona squandered the opportunity. First, he resorted to the same arguments along the same lines used by people who want to remove President Aquino from office. Then, Mr. Corona issued a waiver – only to reveal it was a conditional waiver,” Lacierda said.
“And he further compounded insult with injury by walking out of the court, without leave of the Senate. The result was an unprecedented lockdown of the premises of the Senate, in order to assert its authority and the dignity of the court. Never has there been a more blatant attempt to manipulate a duly constituted court. Never has there been such an obvious attempt to stage-manage judicial proceedings,” he added.
The Palace official also criticized Corona for walking out from court.
“It does not help Mr. Corona that after having been given the highest consideration by the Senate, after giving his side he tried to leave the proceedings, as if to say he is the only one who should be heard,” said Lacierda.
“This case has always been imbued with truly profound issues of constitutional law. Article XI Sec. 17 of the Constitution requires disclosure of assets. Mr. Corona, however, proposes that an ordinary law, RA 6426 holds supreme over the Constitution’s requirements,” Lacierda added.
“But first and foremost, it is about accountability: about the character and behavior of the head of a branch of government of whose members none but the highest ethical standards are required at all times,” he also said.
Lacierda stressed that impeachment is the instrument for determining if a high official otherwise guaranteed a fixed term, can and should be dismissed as a danger to the state or unworthy of high office.
“As the Senate ponders the testimony of Mr. Corona, one thing is sure: all dangerous avenues that may lead to questioning the Senate and the conduct of its proceedings, have been closed, by Mr. Corona asking for, and being given, this unprecedented opportunity to speak his mind – and disclose his cavalier attitude to our institutions, the law and the truth,” he said.
He also criticized the lengthy opening statement delivered by Corona at the trial, saying, “The witness stand is not a place for declamation.”
Lacierda said the system of justice subjects all evidence to the test for truth.
“When a witness is presented, the testimony is subjected to cross examination to see if it can withstand close examination. Truth should withstand scrutiny, and the job of lawyers is to find it,” he said.
But he said what Corona did “was to make a speech” instead of taking the opportunity to clear his name of allegations against him.
“The man tasked with being the defender of the Constitution, and upholder of the law, denied the prosecution as the impeachment court, the opportunity to challenge his testimony,” said Lacierda.
“This is not the behavior of the chief magistrate of the land,” he said.
Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas, meanwhile, lashed back at Corona, telling the latter to explain self first before attacking others at the Senate impeachment court.
In his Corona’s opening statement, he enumerated three reasons why President Benigno Aquino III wanted him to be impeached, first is due to the Hacienda Luisita ruling, second is Aquino’s supposed desire to control three branches of government, and third is the “take over” of the left in the person of Llamas.
“Hawak na hawak ni Ronald Llamas ang Pangulong Aquino sa leeg (Llamas is holding Aquino by the neck),” Corona said.
Llamas, in a text message to reporters, said, “Corona talks about the way government operates as if this was still the same Arroyo regime he loyally served. Like their manipulation of institutions and agencies of government for narrow partisan political purposes.”
“Instead of explaining himself, he attacks others. That’s the way he tries to defend himself. By his own words shall he be judged,” the Palace official added.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/05/22/palace-corona-blew-chance-explain-self-222824

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.

This well-known wine shop is a famous shopping destination for wine enthusiasts in Manila and wine lovers from other cities in Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.

Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

Things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga. This is a great place to buy wine and also to drink wine in Pampanga.

Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com