Saan man, kailan man, Kapatid!   Higit sa balita, AKSYON!
 






National Not one human rights violator prosecuted under Aquino, says NY-based watchdog
National Record-high unemployment at 13M jobless -- SWS survey
National Clear skies allowed Filipinos to see the year's first eclipse
National Senate to strictly enforce proper decorum when Corona testifies: Sotto
National Fire officials inspect dorms, schools, universities
Opinion | Special Features | National FOCUS: No simple framing for Lady Gaga controversy
Opinion | Special Features ATTY. MEL STA. MARIA: The advantage, questions, standard of a Corona testimony
Opinion SEN. MIRIAM SANTIAGO: A date with destiny
National | Special Features 'Pawikan' meat sold in Cebu barangay
National Farmers agree PH will be rice self-sufficient soon, but call for rice import reforms
World | Special Features Bee Gees star Robin Gibb dies aged 62 -- family
World | National Jessica Sanchez's rival in 'Idol' crown has severe kidney problems, needs immediate surgery - TMZ
World | National Sensational Samal: More people flock to town of Jessica's mom after Sanchez makes it to Idol finale
National Jackie Chan denies reports that he will retire soon
National | Special Features TV5 partners with World's No. 1 weather news service
Special Features Ian Somerhalder, 'The Vampire Diaries' lead star, in town
Special Features | National TV5 joins Brigada Eskwela in Manila, DepEd pleased with turnout
World Lockerbie bomber Megrahi has died in Libya: brother
World | World | Special Features | Special Features NATO activates missile shield, reaches out to Russia
Lifestyle Inkcanto: The lamb of Erap
World | Special Features Unesco chief denounces murders of two Pakistani journalists
World | Special Features New York judge with cancer makes case for marijuana
World | Special Features Myanmar to reopen 'Death Railway'

Corona lawyers accuse Ochoa of trying to bribe senator-judges

12-Feb-12, 7:10 PM | Abigail Kwok and Lorenz Niel Santos, InterAksyon.com
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa (left) with President Benigno Aquino III.

InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE - 8:39 p.m.) The defense team of Chief Justice Renato Corona has accused Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa of "interfering" with the impeachment proceedings, allegedly offering bribes to Senator-judges to convict the magistrate and to defy the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the disclosure of his dollar accounts.

The charges were made by Corona's lawyers at a press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan City Sunday evening, less than 24 hours before the start of the impeachment trial’s 16th day. 

They said Ochoa had offered P100 million to the senator-judges.

Lawyer Dennis Manalo claimed Ochoa tried to talk to senators perceived to be leaning towards Corona.

The money, said lawyer Ramon Esguerra, will supposedly come from the presidential fund for soft projects and is set to be released sometime next week.

The two lawyers refused to identify their source but said the information is reliable.

"We never would have come to you on a Sunday at supper if the information is not reliable," Esguerra said.

Corona's lawyers called on the Filipino people to "defend the Constitution" against potential "violations".

"We call on the Filipino people to guard against efforts to undermine the Constitution and the rule of law," Manalo said. "We call our brethren to be more vigilant and stand up for the independence of the judiciary …The Constitution is being violated by allies of the President."

Karen Jimeno: still with Corona defense team
Corona defense diverting attention from evidence - Palace
Tension in Senate, parties' camps on eve of caucus on dollar-accounts TRO