Cuevas is back at impeachment trial

Lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas returned to work yesterday after a twoday absence but complained that he was still suffering from dizziness.

Journalists covering the impeachment trial at the Senate immediately readied their cameras, pens and recorders upon seeing the 83-year-old Cuevas, who was absent because of vertigo, which causes dizziness and headaches.

Wearing his trademark white suit, Cuevas arrived at the Senate at about 1:30 p.m. He used the backdoor and was accompanied by his son Serafin Jr.

Minutes before yesterday’s impeachment proceedings, media had the chance to talk briefly with the veteran lawyer. “Let us see how far I can go with my condition,” Cuevas said. Defense lawyer Jose Roy III asked the media to avoid crowding around Cuevas, who is still not feeling well.

“May galit yata kayo sa akin (You seem to be angry with me),” Cuevas said in jest to reporters and cameramen who were trying to interview him.

When asked about his condition, Cuevas said: “Nahihilo pa po ako (I am still dizzy).”

Roy, however, said Cuevas is now capable of performing his duties as lead defense counsel.

Cuevas skipped the impeachment proceedings on Monday and Tuesday.

Defense lawyer Joel Bodegon said Cuevas’ return was a “boost” for them. Bodegon served as acting defense lead counsel while Cuevas was absent.

During the start of the hearing, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile welcomed Cuevas and expressed hope that he had recovered from his illness.

Aurora Rep. Juan Angara, a spokesperson for the prosecution, welcomed Cuevas’ return, saying they wish the veteran lawyer well.

“We are happy. Even if he is an adversary in court, we hold him in high esteem,” Angara told The STAR.

“He (Cuevas) sharpens us since we have to be quick on our feet,” said prosecution spokesperson and Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo.

Roy apologizes to Cruz

When Carmina Cruz, Alveo Land client relations officer, appeared for the second time at Corona’s impeachment trial yesterday, one of the defense counsels apologized to her.

Defense lawyer Jose Roy III denied having any relationship with Cruz, which he believes was insinuated in a story in

The STAR yesterday (Single witness gets instant fans).

“I will also publicly apologize to Ms. Cruz,” he said.

“There was an unfortunate article that appeared in The Philippine STAR imputing some kind of a relationship between myself and Ms. Cruz, and I want to make it off record that I am not in conformity with the publication.” Roy announced Tuesday that Cruz had given notice to the “gentleman public” that she was single.

“I would like to give Ms. Cruz a fair opportunity to deny...,” Roy said.

However, the witness did not bother after Enrile dismissed Roy’s appeal.

“What is that relationship... Let’s forget about those things, anyway, we are adults,” Enrile said.

Enrile then asked Roy to proceed with his questioning of Cruz, who later on informed the impeachment court about a letter sent to Mrs. Cristina Corona relating to the inspection of their unit at The Columns.

The Twitter owner of account @attyjong said he did not twit the message: “Carmina Cruz rocks :) Best witness in the Corona trial by far!!! and yes, she is single! Hahaha.”

Last month, the impeachment court cited Roy for contempt over his remarks that Malacañang had dangled a P100-million bribe for each senator-judge to decide against Corona.

Although Roy was reprimanded he was still allowed to appear before the impeachment court.