Signs that Chief Justice Renato Corona was Lying in his statements before the media last week

This blog post is in response to Alden, who someone I just know through the Get Real Philippines community Facebook Group.

Basically, Alden believes that in order for me to say that Chief Justice Renato Corona is a liar, he has to go through a cross examination first.

That is not necessarily so.

The thing is, last week, Chief Justice Renato Corona went on all out media blitz to make it appear that he was going to come clean.  He said that:

1. Inconsistencies with his SAL-N would be explained.

2. He could reveal information pertaining to his foreign currency deposits.

The first sign of double talk emerged when he was asked whether or not he would testify and submit himself to cross examination.

His answer was that he was merely a client of his lawyers and he would follow what they advise.  First he says he wants to come clean, but back steps and says it would depend on his lawyers.

Yeah, right. Let your lawyers do the lying for you, Chief Justice Corona.

Moreover, instead of coming clean on day one of the defense's turn at the impeachment trial, the put Congressman Toby Tiangco on the stand to testify on something that is already moot and has no bearing on the impeachment trial.  

In the words of Corona's lawyers, Tiangco was put on the witness stand to impugn the integrity of those who signed the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Corona.  

The thing about Corona's media blitz last week was that he wasn't under oath and therefore he couldn't be held to his word.

In any case, even with a simple pop-psychology guide on figuring out if a person is lying or employing deception already 

How to know if someone is lying to you 

The following are signs you should look for when attempting to spot a liar: 

Inconsistencies in the Story: If the person is lying then the story he tells might change a bit every time it is discussed. The liar will forget a word, add something completely new or remove something that he had previously mentioned. Regardless of the type of inconsistency, its a sign that shows that a person is lying. 

Avoiding the Subject: A person who wants to hide something will usually try to avoid bringing it up in the conversation. Try to talk about anything related to the situation without addressing it directly and see if the person tries to jump to another topic.

Last week, Corona's statements showed that he was doing BOTH.

Here is just a partial list of claims and inconsistencies found in Corona's statements last week.

Corona's claim: 

He will explain his SAL-N and reveal financial information regarding his foreign currency deposits.

Inconsistency: 

On the first day of the defense' turn, they put Toby Tiangco on the stand -- the testimony being described by several senator judges as without bearing. 

Corona didn't testify and reveal information regarding his foreign currency deposits.

Corona's claim: He closed three bank accounts in PS Bank Katipunan Branch because he NO LONGER TRUSTED THE BANK after his neighbors informed him that bank employees were openly talking about his bank accounts.

Inconsistency: He deposited the money in the three accounts in the same bank. Moreover, he did not file a complaint as soon as he heard that bank officers were leaking information, inconsistent with the behavior of one whose confidence has been betrayed.

Corona's claim: He doesn’t involve himself in matters concerning his wife’s family feud over Basa Guidote Enterprises Incorporated. 

Inconsistency: 

But in his SALN, he declares P11 million in cash advances from BGEI.

In explaining his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), Corona had explained that the P11-million liability he reported in his SALN was a loan from the BGEI.

He also said the P32.6 million he withdrew from the Philippine Savings Bank on Dec. 12, 2011, the day he was impeached, actually belonged to BGEI.