DEFENSE PANEL TO PRESENT 3 JUSTICES, 6 LAWMAKERS
THE defense panel will present three Supreme Court justices, several lawmakers and a journalist among others as witnesses in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Corona’s counsels on Tuesday submitted their list of witnesses and documents that they intend to present as directed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.
Among the witnesses that the defense will call are Justices Presbiterio Velasco, Roberto Abad and Arturo Brion, who will give testimonial evidence on Article VII.
Also to be called to the witness stand is Supreme Court spokesman and administrator Jose Midas Marquez.
The defense will also call House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. (the lead prosecutor), and Representatives Jesus Crispin Remulla, Hermilando Mandanas, Tobias Tiangco and Miro Quimbo, the
THE Department of Energy on Tuesday announced the final members of the Independent Review Committee that will look into the books of oil companies to ensure transparency in fuel pricing.
The review committee, led by economist Dr. Benjamin Diokno, will be composed of representatives from different sectors: academe —Dr. Rene Azurin; business community—dr. Jesus Estanislao; consumer group— Raul Concepcion; economists—dr. Victor Abola; accountants—dexter Ortega; and public transport—lawyer Vigor Mendoza.
Diokno is a professor emeritus in the School of Economics of the University of the Philippines, a columnist and former Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.
Azurin is a columnist and former professor at the MBA Program of the UP School of Business Administration.
Estanislao is a former Finance secretary and the chairman of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Concepcion is a consumer-rights advocate and the head of Government Watch (formerly Consumer Oil Price Watch).
Abola is an associate professor and program director of the Strategic Business Economics Program of the University of Asia and the Pacific School of Economics.
Ortega is a lecturer and member of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a partner at Tagnia Ortega & Partners CPAS.
Mendoza is the national chairman of 1United Transport Alliance Koalisyon ( 1UTAK) and a partner at Malcolm Law Offices.