SENATORS SHRUG OFF TIRADES AGAINST CHIEF JUSTICE
SENATORS who now sit as judges in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona on Thursday said that President Benigno Aquino 3rd can talk about the proceedings to his heart’s delight but assured that these remarks would not influence their verdict.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel 3rd, for one, said that the impeachment proceedings are a trial with a political touch and President Aquino’s comments should be regarded plainly as political.
“Well, the challenge to us is not to be
influenced by external factors and to base our final decision on the evidence,” he added.
During an interview, Pimentel explained that the President was free to say whatever he wanted to say about the ongoing impeachment proceedings, but it would not affect them as judges.
“It is a serious challenge, but if we remain to be true to that challenge, then we have done would base his judgment on the evidence alone,” he said.
Pimentel was reacting to a speech made by Mr. Aquino commemorating the 26th anniversary of the 1986 Edsa uprising and attacking the Chief Justice.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said that the speech would not have any effect on the trial, adding that it was just an opinion of the President that had no legal bearing.
“We are not even one fourth through the trial, being not done yet with one out of eight [ impeachment] articles,” Lacson added.
Sen. Vicente Sotto 3rd aired the same view, saying that he would not be swayed by statements coming from outside the walls of the impeachment court.
Defense lawyer Ramon Esguerra said that he respected the opinion of the President since he was entitled to it, being the leader of the country.
“We differ most certainly. Let us just leave it at that. Let the people to whom he appealed to be the judge,” Esguerra added.