Here are videos from the Defense Panel of Chief Justice Renato Corona unfolds today. This will hopefully bring out and put into clear focus the various aspects of the on-going trial. This is with Dean Jose “Judd” Roy, III.

“Malacanang’s Grand Plan”
“100,000,000 ways to dangle a yellow carrot”
“Why the Defense presscon was necessary”
“High accepetance of the Chief Justice’s acquittal and drop in aquino’s acceptance rating”

Here is the second of the Defense Chronicles featuring Atty. Felisberto “Junoy” Verano.

The right time for the Chief Justice to come out in the open”
“What if the impeachment is prematurely stopped?”
“Senator-Prosecutors to the rescue”

You may subscribe to the Defense Chronicles You Tube Channel featuring the Impeachment Hearing’s Defense Panel as they expound on the major highlights of the on-going trial at the Senate!

Senator-judge Miriam Defensor-Santiago asked if a questionable document could be a basis for issuing a subpoena.

“Hindi mo pala alam kung ano yun bakit mo sisingilin kami na mag-issue kami ng subpoena? That’s only a scrap of paper. Why are you doing this to the court? Why don’t you hit your law books?” a furious Senator Santiago said.

“Can you allege something in open court that you have information but based on anonymous source? If you bring this to any judge in any part of the country, particularly in Metro Manila, you’ll be cited in contempt,” she added.

Santiago called it a “very, very strange and bizarre document” and asked if it could be a basis for a subpoena. Reacting on the prosecution’s statement that it was done in good faith, she raised her voice, “Duty my foot! It is your liability and a disgrace to judicial system.”

Media was not spared from Senator Santiago’s outburst during the Impeachment trial of Day 17.

Santiago pointed out the prosecution panel claims that additional sources of information came from the the members of the media and she fumed as well. “Is this government by media? Or is this judicial system by media? Again, this is a ground for contempt. If I were a trial judge I would say ‘you are wasting my time. Sheriff take him to city jail!’ That’s direct contempt.”

She added that the prosecution stated that while it cannot vouch for the authenticity of the said documents, the panel believes that it is its duty to submit the document to this court as it may have a bearing on the court’s resolution of the pending request for subpoena.

“Say again? One, I heard someone whom I cannot identify say something. No. 2 I read it in the media, now it is my duty to bring it to the attention of the court. Duty my foot! It is not your duty. It is your liability. That is disgrace to the judicial system and I have basis for saying that,” she said.

She noted how media labelled the senator-judges as either pro-Aquino or pro-Corona.

“What’s the role of media? Pababayanan na lang ba natin sila?” She continued on.

“What does it say of our integrity. Pababayaan lang ba sila? Libreng-libre sila in the name of the freedom of the press.”

It is clear that Senator Santiago stressed the following:

1. Rule of law and due process
2. Presumption of innocence
3. Media cannot discuss merit or give leads

“No person may comment on the merits of the case. Even we are not allowed to do that.”

Santiago: “It is my duty to submit it to this court” Duty my foot!

1:30 Sen. Santiago makes a manifestation

Lapid: Anong pinagkaiba ng cash advance sa loan?

Enrile asks Lapid: Sino tinatanong mo? Lito points to prosecution

Lapid: Lapid: Ibig sabihin kanina tanong kayo nang tanong, ilang oras na tayo, yun lang gusto niyong palabasin, kung inutang yung P11M?

@article8jester says “And on the 10th Day, Lito Lapid spoke #CJonTrial #CJTrial #CJTrialWatch #CoronaTrial”

Senator Lapid only spoke for a few minutes and trended in twitter. @ancalerts mentioned that Worldwide trending topics after Sen. Lapid took the floor: “Sen. Lapid” (6th) and “Leon Guerrero” (3rd)

@TeamCJCorona is very enthusiastic. “Sen. Lapid Leon Guerrero Ikaw lang po pala ang kailangan para matapos na ang kaguluhan about sa witness.”

Tweeps were pleasantly surprised. Read their reactions from “Clap clap” to “tears of joy”.

“We jail people for killing one or two persons. How about institutions or people that ravage the environment and cause the death of hundreds or thousands? The floods of Palawan are absolutely due to mining – due to the denudation of forests.” Doc Gerry Ortega

One year ago on January 24, a gunman shot dead Palawan environmentalist and broadcast journalist Doc Gerry Ortega along Puerto Princesa’s busy highway. Ortega was one of Palawan’s most popular radio commentators, anchoring the radio program “Ramatak” on DWAR Radio Mindanao Network.

Despite the trail of evidence and testimonies, the case against the alleged masterminds has barely moved foward.

Justice remains elusive

Justice for Doc Gerry Ortega Movement

In a separate statement, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) called on the Aquino administration to “exert an effort equal to their prosecution of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona in bringing to justice the perpetrators of killings and other human rights violations on environmental advocates such as Dr. Gerry Ortega.”

Corona, allied with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was impeached by the House of Representatives in December. The trial is ongoing at the Philippine Senate.

“It is the height of hypocrisy when President Aquino is pushing for the conviction of Corona when Aquino’s court, particularly the DOJ, has presently failed to stop the spate of killings of environmentalists under his term. Not one among the perpetrators of these killings has been put to justice,” Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE, said.

According to the group, ten environmental advocates have been killed under the new administration.

Meanwhile, Leon Dulce, spokesman of Kalikasan partylist said, “Injustices against the people and environment continue to occur on a daily basis because of environmentally-destructive, anti-people laws.”

“Pres. Aquino continues to promote mining liberalization and other anti-environment industries by defending it with state-sponsored militarization. How many more Gerry Ortegas do we need before the systematic human rights violations stop?” Dulce said.

Doc Jerry had a dream

Doc Gerry Ortega had a dream. That dream was to have a Palawan unspoiled by the devastation wrought by mining. It was his dream to put a stop to the destruction of forests, mangroves, and coral reefs. It was his dream for native Palaweños and for all Filipinos to take part in preserving the natural beauty that is Palawan. It was his dream for the preservation of Palawan to become our legacy to the next generation.

Now we could sit still and do nothing. Or we could take the time to understand and consider where we stand on the issue of mining in Palawan.

(Reports from PCIJ and Bulatlat, No to Mining in Palawan)

This has been moved to a permanent page. Jump over to Corona Impeachment trial page

Share your views based on facts using #CJtrialWatch hashtag and Watch live proceedings via livestream

- Senate: www.senate.gov.ph/videos/live2.asp

- Interaksyon : Justice for Justice

- GMA news : ON AIR: Livestream of CJ Corona’s impeachment trial

- Twitter hashtags : blogwatch.tv/livestream

RECORDED VIDEOS

Day 1

The Presidential Spokesperson on the First Day of the Impeachment Trial by @propinoydotnet

And so starts the circus of Renato Corona’s trial by publicity by @benign0

Desperado by @article8jester

Day One Ends in Prosecution Win But Will Supreme Court Take Up Corona’s Fight? by @sagadasun

Day 2

Posts:
Context to the circus by Katrina Legarda

Let’s get ready by @article8jester

Day Two: Padre Faura Punts, Prosecution Fumbles by @sagadasun

The Corona Impeachment Trial: Don’t we all know how to count? by Dine Racoma of @BlogwatchdotPH

Day 2 of Corona Impeachment: Amazing grace exhibited by defense team by @benign0

Day 3

Posts:

Take 5 on the impeachment trial of Renato Corona by @tonyocruz

Day 3 of Corona impeachment: ABS-CBN lawyer bungles questioning of key prosecution witness by @benign0

DOCUMENTS to read

Read the Full text of the Articles of impeachment . You can also download the document.

Full Text of Impeachment Complaint Against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona

Read reply of CJ Corona to impeachment complaint

Full Text of the Reply of CJ Corona to the Impeachment Complaint

“A lie told often enough becomes truth” Vladimir Lenin

I discovered this video on HACIENDA FILIPINAS: PATAY KANG BATA KA! by PinoyMonkeyPride that explains how democracy is supposed to work in our country, and how rule of law should prevail. A few screen caps are illustrated above.

In the light of Chief Justice Corona’s impeachment, evidence is being brought forth even before the trial started. What for? So that the public is aware of the impeachment process or to form an opinion of conviction?

Do we really want a trial by publicity? What if this happened to you? We should always be innocent until proven guilty. There is due process under a democracy.

It is my belief that readers should be presented with both sides, to understand the truth and form opinions based on facts. One should never depend on one source even if you voted for the President or not.

Just because there is a popular leader does not always mean he is right. “A lie told often enough becomes the truth”, whether the President may not be intentionally promoting a lie and may just believe an illogical or faulty proposition. Our constitution tells us that the Filipino people are always considered to be the ultimate source of power and that public welfare is the be all and end all for all public officials. The power of the citizens lies in informed decisions based on all sides of the equation. Citizens need to discern and do their own research from trusted friends , traditional and online sources , whether these are from the administration, or opposition.

This is what I will do to understand the impeachment process and the rule of law:

1. Understand the impeachment process. (Take note that this is written by a pro-administration lawyer)

2. Read the Full text of the Articles of impeachment . You can also download the document.

Full Text of Impeachment Complaint Against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona

3. Watch this video explain that the President, the Senate and Congressmen are there for the people because they were elected but it doesn’t mean they are God and dictate the law without due process. (Take note that this is produced by those that oppose the actions of the administration)

Impeach Corona! Jail Arroyo! Arrest Palparan! Pero dapat daanin sa tamang proseso gamit ang tamang ebidensya. Kung ipagpapaliban mo ang Due Process at Rule of Law, eh di wala kang kinaibahan sa mga Ampatuan na ginawa lang ang gusto nila, gamit ang taglay nilang kapangyarihan, simply because “They Can”.

O tulad ng mga rebelde na kumakatay ng mga sundalo natin, tapos magtatago sa saya ng Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Si Presidente, mga Senatong at Tongressman, ay nakapuwesto dahil sila ay nakalamang sa botohan. Hindi dahil itinalaga sila diyan ng Diyos.

Simula bata pa, araw-araw tayong nanunumpa sa watawat. Umaawit ng Lupang Hinirang. Ang mga pulitiko, nanunumpa bago manungkulan. Na pu-protektahan ang Bansa, ang Republika ang Demokrasya.

Pero bakit pag oras na para tumayo at gawin ang dapat. Pag oras na para ipagtanggol ang mga nabanggit, bakit parang maraming rason. May pagdadalawang isip. Maraming “baka”.
Kaya may Saligang Batas upang maprotektahan tayo, mga mamamayan, mula sa komplikadong pamamalakad ng gobyerno.
Ang mga Hukbong Katihan at Kapulisan natin ay obligadong protektahan ang mga mamamayan, hindi ang mga pulitiko na ibinoto.

Kunsintihin mo ang nagaganap na Railroading. Pero oras na ni-railroad nila ang inyong ama at ina, inyong kapatid, inyong asawa, inyong anak. Anong magagawa nyo? Isapa-Diyos na lang?

Baka batukan nya kayo sa ginagawa nyo. Biniyayaan tayo ng UTAK tapos hindi nyo GAGAMITIN?

Kung nabubuhay si Rizal at Bonifacio, ano sa tingin nyo ang iti-tweet nila tungkol kay De Lima, Lacierda, Carandang, Pnoy, ABSCBN at mga Lopezes?

Bahala na kayo. Basta sa huling hantungan ng buhay nyo, sa huling hininga nyo, huwag na huwag nyong ipagmamalaki na nabuhay kayong malaya at naging tapat sa bansa at sa watawat.

Sapagkat kahiyahiya ang pagbenta ng dignidad para sa interes ng mga haciendero.

Pilipinas ang bagong hacienda nila. At sila ang boss natin!

What about you? Do you want to the whole truth?

My musically-talented nephew (the second son of my late brother, Reuben Veloso Lardizabal), Daniel Lardizabal, is a band member of “Little School House” Band, based in Cagayan de Oro. Together with his band, Daniel produced this lovely, uplifting gift that ushers the future of 2012 into our lives!

We dedicate this to all of us Filipinos who have been deeply affected by Typhoon Sendong. Especially to the victims, survivors, and volunteers. This is also our small way of resounding the message of hope to our nation. Please share this with your friends, family, and colleagues and invite them to join our campaign against procrastination.

“What can I do to help?”

Click here: http://tabangsendong.xu.edu.ph/

Spread the word.

**
For the official Gawin Mo music and documentary video that’s going to be released soon, like us at https://www.facebook.com/thebeatofjoey or please subscribe to our channel.

**
Composed by Joey Castil.
Arranged and recorded by Little School House Feat. John Cinco and Bam Roa.
Produced by Daniel Krey and Bam Roa.
Recorded at Bammerstudio.

Click here to help: http://tabangsendong.xu.edu.ph/

Please sign-up here and have your voice heard.

Palawan is not just an island in the Philippines; it is one of the world’s last frontiers. Rich in biodiversity it is home to some of the rare and endangered species both fauna and flora. Palawan is our last frontier, our last hope.

What does it cost to mine Palawan for its mineral deposits? The Philippine government, Chamber of Mines and large scale mining companies claim that mining is the solution to poverty, mouthing responsible mining in the name of economic progress. but what is true wealth?

Our beautiful country has very little forest cover left. In the place of once-bountiful green canopies, from Cordillera to Zamboanga, filled with life and watersheds beneath- are vast gaping wounds and desolate places, unsuitable for planting or life sustenance. Mining’s legacy of destruction, abuse, displacement and pollution goes on in the name of economic progress

What is the price Palawan paying for billions of pesos expected earnings from mining for export? Palawan’s katutubos, farmers and concerned citizens voice their anguish, indignation and stories for us and the rest of world to hear.

What does it take to make the president and this government to prioritize the environment and act for the protection of our country’s true wealth? 10 millions signatures! sign up and be counted, if you care for Palawan, if you care for our country.

Please sign-up here and have your voice heard.

Save Palawan. Save its People. Help us protect Palawan’s biodiversity and UNESCO sites from mining.

President Aquino is looking forward to in the next 365 days of his six-year term as chief executive. He hoped “that the country would weather the global economic crisis and that his bid to institute what he called reforms in the judiciary would move faster.” The President seems optimistic about himself.

The current Social Weather Stations survey contains some good news for the President. He gets a “very good” satisfaction rating. It is noted though that the survey was conducted during the period of Dec. 3 to Dec. 7, before the President was criticized heavily for attending the Christmas party of the Presidential Security Group at the height of the Tropical Storm Sendong devastation in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and claimed the lives of over 1,000 persons.

Despite the wrath of Tropical Storm Sendong, despite the many struggles of every Filipino, there is hope in the new year. May we also take the opportunity to reflect- what have I done for my country? And what more can I do?

We at Blog Watch Wish Everyone a Happy New year.

Here is a short video greeting from the Blog Watch family

The “US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton: A Conversation in Manila” forum was “described as “ground-breaking” by Clinton’s advance team for its youth-oriented social media component, breaking away from the formalities of many of the globe-trotting Clinton’s public events.”

Robin D. Diallo, Counselor for Public Affairs of the US Embassy Manila talked to us before the forum and was quite excited that this is the first social media coverage for Clinton. This was also the first time that cellphones, cameras, laptops, small flip cameras, tablets and other portable gadgets were allowed in her media coverage. At first, Diallo was unsure whether bringing in bloggers was the right decision since it is a first.
read more at the Philippine Online Chronicles/Blog Watch