Day 13: The Fariñas Relief (Corona Impeachment Trial)

It was Day 13 of the Impeachment Trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona and this day because of the pending ruling on the motion for the subpoenas regarding Corona’s bank accounts the prosecution proceeded with the presentation of the Article 3 instead of the continuation of the Article 2.

The prosecution presented a witness from the FASAP Mr. Roberto Anduiza, who testified regarding the “flip-flopping” issue of the Supreme Court concerning their case against the Philippine Airlines (PAL). He said the Chief Justice influenced the decision resulting to the reversal of the previous decisions being made by the SC. Meanwhile the Defense postponed its cross examination saying they still need time to study the documents with regards to Anduiza’s testimony to which the prosecution objects but the presiding jusdge overruled the objection in favor of the defense.

But what’s more notable about day 13 is one of the public prosecutors and Ilocos Representative Rudy Fariñas’ comic relief during his response to senate president and presiding judge Juan Ponce Enrile’s question on the relevance of the SC’s financial records to the Article 3. Their exchange of opinions took a little while which became some sort of relief and light moments at the senate.

But the highlight of it was, when Sen. Jinggoy Estrada asked Fariñas if he signed the impeachemt complaint to which Fariñas answered no. Because according to him he wasn’t able to read the entire complaint as he was not a fast reader unlike his colleagues in the congress. And what’s really notable about Fariñas’ moment is his statement “medyo masama rin po kasi yung pagkagawa ng konti eh, hindi na ako pumirma” which ellicited laughter from the Senators and the gallery as well.

Some observers commented it was a blow to the prosecution because one of it’s prosecutors admitted that the complaint was not masterfully crafted. But the prosecution insisted that Fariñas only spoke of his observations and it doesn’t mean he dont believe in the complaint. They said what’s important is the substance and content which is strong enough to convict and strip Renato Corona of his post as Chief Justice of the land.

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“Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.” —Will Rogers

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Day 9 of still UNPREPARED and MIS-MANAGED prosecution (Corona Impeachment Trial)

After more than 2 weeks of the trial, the prosecution still cannot seem to get their acts together. Evident by the mis-management of handling their direct examination to their own witness during today’s trial.  Presiding Judge Senate President Enrile and defense lead counsel Serafin Cuevas seemed lecturing the prosecution counsel on how to conduct direct examination to his witness because it seemed the prosecutor is impeaching their own.

Seating in the witness stand that day was MegaWorld Senior Vice President for Marketing and Sales Noli Hernandez who seemingly transformed as a witness of the defense instead of the prosecution by the way he was asked. Several times that the counsel of the prosecution Atty. Joemar Perez was cautioned by the presiding judge because he’s gearing towards cross examining his witness instead of direct examination. To which found out later that they were not able to confer with Mr. Hernandez before he was presented. During his testimony Hernandez said that the 40% “Corona Discount” on the Bellagio condo unit was brought by the damage in the unit caused by a typhoon and not through any favor.

The trial adjourned it’s day 9 with only 1 witness being presented but noted also during that day is Sen. Villar who as a real state businessman stood and explained that indeed discounts can be possibly given to a buyer due to economic or any undue circumstances. The day also took long time with clarifications and questions from the Senator-Jurors who can’t seem to hide their irate on some topics which kept on repeating.

I hope prosecution will level up their strategy and be more diligent in acquiring and handling their witnesses and evidences because they might loose a good case just because they’re “too lazy” to study the case at hand.

TRIALserye: The Pilot Episode (Corona Impeachment Trial)

The day has come for yet another first in our history as today marked the first day of the Impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona. Early this morning, CJ’s supporters gathered in-front of the Supreme Court to show support for their boss where a fierce and in fighting mood Corona addressed them. In his speech before his supporters he enumerated 3 people who wants him out of the supreme court and again denied every allegations stated on the articles of impeachment which are Betrayal of Public Trust, Culpable Violation of the Constitution and Graft and Corruption.

During the afternoon at about 2pm, the trial started with a prayer by Sen. Edgardo Angara and the opening statement of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who is acting as the presiding judge. Present in the Senate Impeachment hall are almost all the Senator-Judges except Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who is suffering from hypertension and Sen. Loren Legarda who was said to be in the United States. And as earlier speculated, the Chief Justice attended the first day of his trial in the senate together with his wife Cristina and other supporters like SC Spokesman Midas Marquez.

In his opening statement Sen. Pres. Enrile assured that the trial will be bounded by rules and not by public opinion or emotions. After that was the presentation of both the prosecution and defense panels led by  Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. and former Justice Serapin Cuevas respectively. Thereafter was their opening statements successively (Tupas for the presecution and Eduardo delos Angeles for the defense).

During today’s session also, the prosecution seemingly scored against the defense as their motion for preliminary investigation was denied by the presiding judge. It may be a setback for the side of the defense but they’re confident it will not hamper the course of their strategy.

Today is indeed another landmark in our nation’s history. This is the first time that we are experiencing an impeachment trial of the highest justice of the land. Although we are not virgin to impeachment trials as we already experienced it during the time of Erap, this time was different because it will show how matured we became in regards to this democratic process. This will also be a test to our Senators, who are sitting as judges, to be impartial and act as neutral as they can and try the case without undue biases to their political affiliations and linings. And lastly this is a test for all of us, because in any way, it will still affect us because we are all part of this process.

This is democracy in action so we ought to be discerning and objective in all the news and information that will be fed to our minds. Examine the facts and statements and not just rely on the popular opinions. Failure of the trial will be our failure also and its success will be success of our democracy and all our democratic institutions.

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“Impeachment is not a remedy for private wrongs; it’s a method of removing someone whose continued presence in office would cause grave danger to the nation.” – Charles Ruff

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• Corona quiet after 1st trial day (abs-cbnnews.com)