Only CJ Corona could explain his bank accounts – Enrile
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile believes it would be better if Chief Justice Renato Corona will personally defend himself before the impeachment court against allegations including numerous bank accounts that he failed to declare in his statement of assets, liabilities and networth (SALN).
Enrile comment came as House prosecution terminated its presentation of witnesses.
In the Philippine New Agency online, Enrile said: “Nobody could explain the bank accounts but the Chief Justice whether these belong to him or not, and why these were not included in his SALN.
Enrile said that even Corona’s lawyers, led by former Justice Serafin Cuevas, cannot testify for the chief magistrate.
“If Chief Justice Corona will appear which, in my opinion, he will do, then we will be able to hear what is really the truth behind all these allegations,” Enrile said.
The veteran lawmaker said it would be better not only for Corona but for the impeachment process and for the country if the Chief Justice himself will appear before the impeachment court.
He said the defense can now start presenting its own witnesses and testimonial evidences after the prosecution terminated its own presentation of witnesses and dropped five other articles of the impeachment complaint.
After 25 days of the historic impeachment trial, House lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas announced last Tuesday that the prosecution is withdrawing Articles 1 , 8 , 4 , 5 and 6, saying they have enough evidence to unseat Corona under Articles 2, 3 and 7 of the impeachment complaint.
Enrile said he believes the prosecution has no strong chances to remove Corona under the five other articles of impeachment.
“If only those five articles will be used as basis, they cannot remove the respondent,” he said.
With the dropping of the five other articles, Enrile is hoping that the impeachment court will be able to come up with its verdict before the Holy Week.