Philippines Chief Justice Removed Over Finances MANILA - The chief justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, Renato C. Corona, was removed from office on Tuesday after it was disclosed during an impeachment trial that he failed to declare $2.4 million in foreign currency deposits. In a country where high-ranking public officials are often removed through street protests, and no one had ever been successfully impeached and convicted, the verdict was seen as a victory for the political maturity of the Philippines. Chief Justice Corona was impeached in December by the House of Representatives and was convicted Tuesday by the Senate acting as an impeachment court. He was accused of biased decisions and hiding assets. "If your client cannot explain, I cannot abstain," said Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, upon voting to convict. If you did not disclose, we have to depose. If you are not fit, you cannot sit as the C.J. of our Supreme Court. Chief Justice Corona's impeachment - and the prosecution of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who appointed him chief justice - have been central to the anti-corruption campaign of President Benigno S. Aquino III. The president's supporters say that if Chief Justice Corona had not been removed, he could be an obstacle to good governance efforts that are linked to the country's recent strong economic performance. Mr. Corona's supporters say that Mr. Aquino is trying to consolidate power by attacking the judiciary. In testimony on Friday, Chief Justice Corona insisted that under his interpretation of the law he was not required to disclose the money. During testimony that was marked by weeping, anecdotes about his family and breaks for medical checkups by nearby doctors, the chief justice debated the legalities of reporting requirements for government officials. In the Philippines, senior officials are required to file a statement of assets, liabilities and net worth each year to verify that they are not enriching themselves from their government positions. One of the impeachment articles against the chief justice states that he under-declared his assets.