Day 42 : Corona Cameback, Defense Rested Its Case (Corona Impeachment Trial)

After the walkout issue last Tuesday and after signing the hospital waiver, Chief Justice Renato Corona went back to the Senate Impeachment Court to continue with his testimony and to answer questions from prosecution’s cross examination and from the Senator Judges.

When he got back to the witness stand the defense manifested that they will no longer conduct any further direct examination on the Chief Justice. Because of the manifestation and the earlier manifestation of the prosecution that if in case no additional direct questioning from the defense they will waive cross examining the witness, thus became the case. The prosecution waive their chance to cross examine the Chief Justice and just relied on the testimonies and documents presented by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

During today’s trial, CJ Corona also signed and submitted (unconditionally) the waiver for his bank accounts which was later decided on by the Sen. Juan Ponce-Enrile not to act on it anymore.

Also during the break when the Senators are having caucus, the Impeachment court suddenly became a family reunion as the Basa and Corona family reconciled with each other. It was a surprise for many that after exchanges of not so good words for each other they finally patched things up and reconciled.

Several Senator judges posted questions on the Chief Justice mainly clarifying his reason why after admitting he has 3 dollar accounts did not declare it on his SALN. To which Corona answered, that those were covered by the Foreign Currency Act thus no need to disclose. During the questioning of Sen. Estrada regarding what he thought about Ombudsman Carpio-Morales motive or reason to testify against him, Corona mentioned that the current Ombudsman was never really his ally and he thought that she allowed herself to be used by Malacañang. He also told the court about Carpio-Morales’ retirement benefit request which the Chief Justice denied. That statement prompted the Ombudsman to went on a presscon to answer Corona’s accusations. In her own words she said “I am fuming mad, He’s a certified liar”. Carpio-Morales also said that the issue is not getting higher retirement benefit but Corona’s alleged cutting of benefit from the usual 1.5 million to 650 thousand pesos. She also said that she has 1 dollar account in BPI and that she disclosed it in her SALN.

The trial ended with defense submitting its formal offer of evidences, thus prompting the resting of its case. Impeachment trial will be back on Monday for the oral arguments and decision  is expected to be promulgated on Tuesday.

Day 25 : Prosecution rested its case (Corona Impeachment Trial)

After 25 trial days the prosecution panel finally decided to rest their case on the articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Just at the start of the trial, the day seemed leading to some unusual events. Before it can take-off in today’s trial the presiding justice needed to suspend the start of the trial because of some logistical problems from the defense panel with most of their counsels including lead defense counsel former Justice Serafin Cuevas stranded in Manila traffic due to the evangelical event of Iglesia ni Cristo in Quirino Grandstand.

But to compensate for the waiting of Cuevas’ arrival they agreed to have the prosecution presented it’s next witness pending the cross examination of ABS-CBN cameraman Ed Llosala. Prosecution then presented Malacanang Records Officer Elenita Gatbonton who testified and authenticated documents that pertained to Corona’s appointment to the Supreme Court as Chief Justice. Thereafter they presented David Piedad and Rochelle Mendez both employees of ABS-CBN who testified on the veracity of the videos being presented by the prosecution.

And just some minutes before 5 o’clock lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas took the podium and issued a manifestation that they are resting their case, thus causing shock and amazement and surprise from people inside the impeachment court.

According to Tupas, they have already presented enough and overwhelming evidences just in the Article 2 to convict the Chief Justice. He said they’ve already presented 25 witnesses and hundreds of documentary evidences for Articles 2,3 and 7 and they believed that those were already enough to get a conviction thus no need for them to present evidences on other Articles. In effect they were also withdrawing those articles that were yet to be presented such as Articles 1,4,5,6, and 8. Several times the presiding justice Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile asked Tupas if in fact they are “dropping” the other articles and Tupas replied in the affirmative.

As for the defense panel’s reaction, they said it was a welcome development for them. Now that the prosecution rested their case, they can now present their defense against all the allegations leveled against their client.

Now that the ball is transferred to the defense side, let’s see if they have substantial evidence to re-butt all the allegation and charges against the Chief Justice.

———————————————————————————————————————

Related articles

• Prosecutors Rest Case in Bid to Remove Chief Justice of Philippines – New York Times (nytimes.com)

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.

———————————————————————————————————————

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

Related articles

• [In the news] PAL union leader testifies vs Corona -INQUIRER.net (hronlineph.com)

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.

———————————————————————————————————————-

“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

Related articles

• Historic trial in the Philippines (bbc.co.uk)
• Philippine chief justice impeachment trial starts (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Corona quiet after 1st trial day (abs-cbnnews.com)