InterAksyon.com
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MANILA, Philippines -- Malacanang has challenged Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona to "face the music" after the Ombudsman moved to investigate his alleged $10 million in various dollar accounts.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he does not see the Ombudsman's parallel probe as an overkill despite an ongoing impeachment case against Corona.
"It is incumbent upon the Ombudsman to perform its fact-finding duty. It behooves upon the Ombudsman to perform its obligation and require the Chief Justice to submit his comment," Lacierda said on Sunday.
"(Corona should) face the music...It will be best for him to explain (before the Senate and the Ombudsman)," the Palace official added.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, acting on several complaints, asked Corona to explain in writing within 72 hours how he acquired his peso and dollar accounts which were allegedly "grossly disproportionate" to his salary.
The order was served on April 23.
Corona, through his lawyer Ramon Esguerra, said he does not own $10 million.
"It simply does not exist... It is part of the black propaganda and mind-conditioning preparatory to the resumption of the trial on May 7," Corona's reply read.
Esguerra also stressed that the Ombudsman also has no jurisdiction over the Chief Justice.
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