Senate takes break; CJ verdict in June

A verdict in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona will likely be made in June before Congress goes on sine die adjournment, the impeachment court presid- ing officer said yesterday.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he is giving the defense about one month to wrap up the presentation of evidence.

“We decide immediately,” he said. “We’ve been hearing the case. We know already what the case is all about. Every day we get and we hear

the declaration of the witnesses. We have a record of the proceedings in the form of a journal. All we have to do is read those things and then, if you are attentive, at this point, you know what is going on.”

Thereafter, the prosecution will be allowed to make a rebuttal of evidence, then the court can issue a verdict. The impeachment trial resumes on May 7. In his opening prayer yesterday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson prayed for wisdom in giving him and his peers guidance in deciding the Corona case.

“As we suspend the trial today to go on Lenten break, let us pause to atone for our sins and pray for a miracle that can cleanse our souls,” he said. “Grant us, O Lord, even for a second, the supernatural power of being able to read the mind and feel the conscience of the respondent standing trial before this impeachment court, so we will be spared the agony of acquitting a guilty man – or worse, pronouncing the guilt of an innocent person. And whatever is the outcome of this trial, we pray that the accuser and the accused, and all the participants in this painful exercise, will learn to forgive and forget all the harsh and cruel words said and heard, for the sake of our beloved country and Your children in this part of the world.”

De Lima to testify again

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will be summoned to testify again on Article 7 of the impeachment complaint against Corona upon the request of the defense. Corona’s lawyers declined to say why they want De Lima to appear before the impeachment court. “It’s a matter of strategy, I hope you pardon me,” said lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas.

Enrile said it is but fair to summon De Lima since she had testified when the prosecution was presenting its evidence.

“Yes, I also issued a subpoena to Secretary De Lima when requested by the prosecution,” Enrile said.

Article 7 accuses Corona of partiality when the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order ( TRO) on the government ban on former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo’s leaving the country last November.

The prosecution is wondering why the defense wants De Lima summoned since she had already testified last month.

“They ( defense) already asked her ( De Lima) questions during the cross- examination,” said Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III. “The defense was given an opportunity to cross- examine her.”

In a request for subpoena, Corona’s lawyers said the SC was “not in connivance” with Arroyo.

The Department of Justice’s three watchlist orders had prompted her to seek judicial relief, they added.

Corona’s lawyers said the watchlist orders were in the nature of hold departure orders.

De Lima preferred to hold Arroyo even if she had complied with the conditions imposed, they added.

De Lima had defied the SC’S TRO to make up for what she failed to do, Corona’s lawyers said.

The defense asked the impeachment court to require De Lima to bring a list of cases filed against Arroyo, the manifestation and motion dated Nov. 8, 2011 she had filed, and her motion for reconsideration dated Nov. 16, 2011.

Defense lawyers also want De Lima to present her explanation as to why she had barred Arroyo from leaving the country.

Last month, De Lima told the impeachment court that Corona had shown his desire to let Arroyo leave the country in November despite her facing charges of poll sabotage.

“There was conspiracy because they issued the questionable TRO,” she said. “The Chief Justice is only one vote of course when it comes to decisions, but there are other functions and duties and powers of the Chief Justice as primus inter pares ( the first among equals).”

Arroyo’s reason for wanting to leave the country – to get treatment for a cervical spine ailment – was doubtful, De Lima said.