SC ‘lacks jurisdiction’ over Corona impeachment petitions

MEMBERS of the 11-man panel tasked to prosecute Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Renato Corona in a Senate trial next month said that Congress is empowered by the Constitution to remove an erring public official.
This developed as three lawyers asked the SC to stop the Senate from proceeding with the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice, citing the speedy approval of the House resolution impeaching Corona.

At least 188 members of the House of Representatives signed the resolution last December 12 and the articles of impeachment were elevated to the Senate the next day.
Senators, wearing red robes, then constituted themselves on December 13 as an impeachment court which will weigh on the allegations of graft and corruption and other violations of the Constitution.
All petitioners sought a temporary restraining order and writ of prohibitory injunction against the Senate impeachment court.
For Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr., the SC should dismiss the petitions on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.
Barzaga said that the Constitution grants the House the exclusive power to initiate an impeachment complaint and the Senate to try and decide on impeachment cases.
“If the SC would exercise its power to review the acts of Congress and the Senate pertaining to impeachment case, the constitutional power of the House and the Senate might be negated. It would be illusory,” he told reporters.
The lawmaker added that if the SC pursues the petition, the public would think that a decision rendered by the High Tribunal will not be impartial as the impeachment case involved is that of its Chief Justice.
Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares echoed the sentiment of Barzaga saying that the SC “should just let the impeachment run its course in the Senate”.
The Senate is set to start the impeachment trial against the Chief Justice when Congress resumes session on January 16.
Barzaga and Colmenares, along with the other members of the prosecution panel, met Tuesday to discuss the organizational structure and assignment of the eight articles of impeachment.
House Committee on Justice chairman Niel Tupas Jr. said the prosecution panel has been allotted with P5 million for the trial.
Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya, however, said that if the Corona resigns during the Christmas break, he would help “save a lot of the people’s money”.
Corona earlier refused to heed resignation calls and will face the trial instead.
Third petition filed to stop Corona’s impeachment trial
Meanwhile, a veteran lawyer sought the junking of the impeachment trial of Corona.
In a 23-page petition, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Vicente Millora asked the Supreme SC to nullify the articles of impeachment that was passed by an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives last week.
Millora, a practicing lawyer for 53 years, said the 188 lawmakers acted with “grave and blatant abuse of discretion” when they rushed to sign the complaint without studying the contents.
He said that the lawmakers connived with President Benigno Aquino III, who has since expressed his disgust over Corona’s alleged midnight appointment and adverse rulings toward the Executive department.
“President Aquino assaults the SC whenever he feels doing it. But the unpardonable attack against the SC is his reference to the SC as a ‘den of corruption.’ Who will now believe the SC? The damage to the SC is irreparable,” the petition read.
It is also arguable that Corona has been partial toward cases involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Millora said, since a decision in any dispute brought before the Court necessarily affects any party.
“May the bias of a member or all of the members affect the validity, the wisdom or the justness of the decision of the SC as a body? Are not the members human and naturally with certain individual biases or prejudices? But who is without?” he asked.
On Monday, lawyers Vladimir Cabigao and Danilo Lihaylihay filed separate petitions before the High Court asking to stop the 23-man Senate from proceeding with the trial.
Last year, Lihaylihay filed a plunder charge against Arroyo for the alleged anomalous sale of a property owned by Iloilo airport to Megaworld Corp. in 2007.
Arroyo is now detained for poll sabotage charges. (Kathrina Alvarez/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/12/20/sc-lacks-jurisdiction-over-corona-impeachment-petitions-196740

Although wines are widely available in most Asian countries, especially in Hong Kong which has eliminated import tariff on wines altogether, the availability of fine vintage wines is still very scarce. Most wine merchants offer big names, young vintages and cheaper wines for everyday consumption. Wine lovers and connoisseurs looking for something special often travel to Clark Pampanga Philippines to do their shopping at this Wine Shop in Manila.

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Things to do in Clark Pampanga and Angeles City: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. Many people already know that 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.

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

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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

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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
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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