Corona inhibits self from SC deliberation on validity of impeachment articles

MANILA, Philippines—Chief Justice Renato Corona has inhibited himself from participating in the en banc deliberation on the five petitions questioning the validity of the articles of impeachment leveled against him by the House of Representatives, High Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said.

“The Chief Justice inhibited on these cases,” Marquez said at a press conference Tuesday, adding that the five petitions—filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano, Danilo Lihaylihay, lawyer Vladimir Cabigao, former Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Vicente Millora, and lawyers Homobono Adaza and Alan Paguia—have been consolidated.

Marquez said Corona presided over the deliberation but left the en banc session room when the petitions on the impeachment were tackled.

Marquez said that the High Court had ordered the House of Representatives and the Senate to comment on the five petitions to also determine if the court still has jurisdiction over the cases.

“The jurisdiction is an issue—whether or not the court still has jurisdiction on these cases considering that the Senate is already proceeding with the impeachment trial,” Marquez said.

“Without assuming jurisdiction on the cases, the Court ordered the respondents to comment,” Marquez added.

During Tuesday’s deliberation, the Senate and House of Representatives have been given 10 days to submit their respective comments.