Corona in "high spirits" as he leaves to testify for trial

Chief Justice Renato Corona remained positive before testifying in his impeachment trial Tuesday, his son said.

Francis Corona said his father was in "high spirits" hours before he is set to testify in the proceedings. Before heading for the Senate to testify at his impeachment trial, a calm Corona faced nearly 700 court employees who prayed and wished the magistrate well.

Corona, who is set to take the stand on Day 40 of his impeachment trial, arrived at around 10:10 am for the inter-faith rally and send off ceremony organized by Supreme Court employees. Corona didn't give any interviews and left shortly at around 11:15 am on board his black SUV. He is expected to drop by his office and leave for the Senate at around 1 p.m.

Security personnel at the SC estimated the number of the predominantly red-clad employees, who attended the send-off, between 600 and 700.

"They've been here since early morning and people keep trickling in," a security personnel told InterAksyon in Filipino.

During the send-off, Corona's wife, Cristina, and children, Francis and Carla, were given a standing ovation during the brief ceremony. Also in attendance were Corona's Ateneo law school fratmates from the Fraternal Order of Utopia.

Shortly after the ceremony, Corona waved goodbye to his supporters and boarded his car to the Senate.

source: interaksyon.com

Sharon Cuneta wins land dispute case vs retired SC justice

A company owned by singer-actress Sharon Cuneta has won a land dispute case against a retired Supreme Court justice and his family before the Court of Appeals.

In a 14-page decision, the CA’s Special Former Special Eleventh Division affirmed the ruling of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84 dismissing the petition filed by retired justice Justo Torrez Jr. and his family against the Sharon Cuneta Inc.

The case involved a 398-square meter prime commercial lot located at 205 Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City. The land is covered by a transfer certificate of title (TCT) issued and registered in the name of SCI.

In its decision, the appellate court said it found no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the QC RTC.

“Petitioners’ contentions are not well taken. It is well established that every person dealing with a registered land may safely rely on the correctness of the certificate of title issued therefore and the law will in no way oblige him to go beyond the certificate to determine the condition of the property,” the court said.

It also upheld its orders directing the Torres family to vacate and surrender possession of the disputed property to SCI and to pay rentals until the premises is vacated.

Aside from Torres, other petitioners were Robert Torres, Immaculada Torres-Alanon, Agustin Torres, Jose Aruego, Jr., Cristeta Torres-Johansen and Justo Torres III.

Court records showed that the Torres family filed a petition claiming that they are the heirs of spouses Jose Aruego Sr., and Gloria Aruego, owners of about two thirds portion of the subject property.

They pointed out that it was only the share of Antonia Aruego that was bought by SCI under the 1998 deed of sale.

But Cuneta argued that the sole issue for resolution was the physical possession of the property. She maintained that she bought the property in good faith, relying solely on the validity of Antonia’s title.— KBK, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com