WHAT are the parking slots for?

While Chief Justice Renato Corona admitted in a speech that he bought at least three parking slots in a condominium, there are no motor vehicles declared in his 2010 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN).

Based on the evidence presented to the Senate Impeachment Court, Corona did not declare any cars in his SALN from 2003 to 2010 or during his stay in the Supreme Court.

In 2002, or the first year he was appointed as Associate Justice, he only declared one motor vehicle, not specified what kind of car, worth P1.1 million.

However, in his speech before the start of the impeachment trial, Corona admitted buying three parking slots in Bellagio condominium.

His 303-sq meter unit in the condominium was being questioned by the House prosecution panel because it’s value was only declared as P6.8 million in his 2010 SALN but was originally bought at P14.5 million based on the deed of sale.

The House prosecution panel accused Corona of amassing ill-gotten wealth during his stay in the SC because his net worth has tripled since he joined the High Tribunal.

From P14 million in 2002, his assets grew to P22.9 million in 2010.

During the impeachment trial, the prosecution charged that almost all of the assets of Corona were undervalued.

Aside from the Bellagio condominium, the unit in Fort Bonifacio Ridge has a deed of sale for P9.1 million but was only declared as worth P2.3 million. The property was acquired by Corona on October 14, 2005, however it was not declared in his 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 SALN.

Corona declared a property in posh subdivision La Vista in Quezon City at P3 million when it was bought for P16 million.

A unit in Burgundy also in Quezon City was declared as worth P921,000 but was bought at P3.5 million.