MANILA, Philippines—As the impeachment trial heads to its final four
weeks, there is no decision yet whether Chief Justice Renato Corona or
his wife Cristina would take the witness stand, his lawyers said Friday.
The defense has lined up 10 witnesses for the rest of the trial, but
is banking on Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to appear as its witness
when the trial resumes on Monday. The prosecution has moved to quash the
subpoena for her.
The defense and some of the senators have agreed that the trial should be over before Congress adjourns sine die on June 7.
“There is no decision by the CJ about this,’’ defense spokesperson
Karen Jimeno told reporters at the Philippine Columbian club in Manila,
saying the Corona couple would testify if they felt this was necessary.
Besides, defense lawyer Tranquil Salvador III said, there was no need
to present the Coronas for now since the prosecution has “failed to
establish an impeachable offense.’’
On Monday, the defense is presenting anew former Manila Mayor Lito
Atienza over the city government’s acquisition of a property from the
Basa Guidote Enterprises Inc., which was owned by the family of Cristina
Corona.
But after Atienza, the defense panel hopes to present De Lima as its
witness on Article 7, which alleges Corona’s partiality in granting a
temporary restraining order that would have allowed the former President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to leave the country before she could be
criminally charged had De Lima had not disobeyed it.
The impeachment court in March issued a subpoena for De Lima. On
Friday, the prosecution moved to quash the subpoena, arguing that the
defense had cross-examined her for two hearing days on similar issues,
among others.
This was a delaying tactic and an improper procedure, the prosecution argued.
Citing the rules of court, Salvador said that De Lima has to comply
with the subpoena but acknowledged that she has legal remedies.
“We hope we can be given a chance to present Secretary De Lima before
the impeachment court and show the whole story,’’ defense lawyer Rico
Paolo Quicho said, pointing out that De Lima’s earlier testimony was
limited to the dissenting opinion of Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes
Sereno. “We will show that the chief justice did not commit any error.’’
The defense is presenting 10 witnesses, and could wrap up its
presentation by the end of May. “Don’t think this would take any
longer,’’ Salvador said.
Sen. Franklin Drilon, for his part, said he would propose that the
impeachment court set a date for the handing down of the verdict before
Congress adjourns on June 7 at the senators’ caucus on Monday.
“We can’t let this go beyond this adjournment. The schedule is under
the control of the court. We will not be unreasonable,’’ he told
reporters at the Manila Hotel.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/187563/corona-testimony-at-impeachment-trial-still-uncertain
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Positive:
-It is a manifestation of the crusade against graft and corruption of the Aquino administration.It is a policy espoused by Pres.Benigno Semion Aquino.
-It is a solid proof that nobody is spared in the campaign to eradicate corruption in the government.
It is a good start to cleanse the judiciary of the corrupt justice and judges.
Negative:
-The world process is divisive for the Filipinos.It is dividing the whole nation.
-Some viewed it as a prelude to a dictatorship.the executive is trying to dominate all branches of government.
-The impeachment process is a political exercise.the chief justice may be subjected to a trial of publicity and whims of politicians.