IMPEACHMENT COURT OF 2012 Senators in “fighting red” robes, led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile (center), pose for a souvenir picture after Wednesday’s oath-taking at the Senate as members of the impeachment court that will try Chief Justice Renato Corona. RAFFY LERMA
The oath-taking took only 12 minutes without any hiccup, except for complaints that the color of the robes the senators wore as members of the impeachment court was the wrong shade of red.
“We were supposed to wear what is known as Oxford crimson with yellow braids, the kind worn by royalty and officials of the highest tribunals,” Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago complained after the ritual at the Senate session hall before a national television audience.
Senator Francis Pangilinan described the hue more as “fighting red”—like the tone of the cape a matador dangles before the animal in a bull ring. Others thought it was maroon.
As the youngest senator, Antonio Trillanes IV, 40, a former Navy lieutenant senior grade who served seven years in jail for mutiny, administered the oath to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, 87, who will act as presiding judge in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption.
Enrile, the martial law administrator during the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship, then swore in the 22 senators as judges.
With right open palms raised, they intoned that they “solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial … I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws of the Philippines, so help me God.”
In his prayer, Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who faced plunder charges after his father, then President Joseph Estrada, was ousted in 2001 following an abbreviated impeachment trial marred by a walkout, sought Divine Guidance in facing a “challenge to our abilities as lawmakers and citizens of our beloved country.”
The young Estrada also prayed for a “clear mind so that we would not make any mistake when we make our judgment at the appointed time.”
Very unflattering
The proceedings went on smoothly, except for some chit chat about the color of the robe that looked more like a cape worn over smart coats and ties, barongs and gowns.
The impeachment court spokesperson, Valentina Cruz, offered that on Santiago’s suggestion, they wore red robes to distinguish themselves from the Supreme Court justices and other judicial officials who wear black robes.
“Many of my colleagues were disappointed because the color we wore was very unflattering and the fabric was very hot. At least, that’s what I heard,” Santiago said in an ambush interview after the oath-taking.
Senators Panfilo Lacson, Francis Escudero and Trillanes immediately shed off their cloaks after Enrile banged the gavel to suspend the session that will resume on January 16 after the Christmas break.
“I’m not used to this. Usually, I am the accused, not the judge,” Lacson joked. The former chief of the Philippine National Police disappeared after he was charged in the murders of a publicist and his driver.
Escudero loudly whispered “Superman!” and playfully displayed his chest after disrobing as Clark Kent does when he is about to rescue somebody.
Goose bumps
Trillanes was already handing his garment to a page when Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III suddenly called everyone back.
“Excuse me, but there is a request here for a photo op,” Sotto said over the microphone.
“We will have a group picture to commemorate this very important moment,” Enrile echoed.
It took the senators more than 30 minutes to gather at the exclusive Senate lounge to put on their robes and prepare for the brief ceremony, held back by Senator Sergio Osmeña III. “He came in late because he had a busy time last night. It was his birthday,” explained a fearful staff member who requested anonymity.
While most of the senators played their parts well, movie actor-turned-politician Senator Lito Lapid appeared nervous.
He later told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he had watched on TV the impeachment trial of Joseph Estrada, like him a rambunctious action star. “This time, I’m here as a senator-judge. Kinikilabutan ako (I’ve got the goose bumps),” he said.
Earlier, Enrile served notice that he would not allow any shortcuts similar to the walkout during the impeachment trial of Joseph Estrada that triggered his ouster in Edsa II in 2001.
“We’ll go through the trial from beginning to end,” he told reporters.
No honorable retreat
As presiding officer, Enrile said he would cite in contempt anyone disrupting the proceedings.
He said then Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. did not use this power when the prosecution walked out to protest the senators’ refusal to admit a “second envelope” as evidence against Estrada.
Senators on Wednesday began restraining themselves from speaking about the case, as prescribed in the chamber’s rules that the “presiding officer and the members of the Senate shall refrain from making any comments and disclosures in public pertaining to the merits of a pending impeachment trial.”
The same rule applies to the “prosecutors, to the person impeached, and to their respective counsel and witnesses.”
Senator Joker Arroyo welcomed Corona’s vow to confront his accusers and ignore demands by his critics to resign.
“There can be no honorable retreat here,” he told the Inquirer. “The fact that both the bar and the bench are one in supporting the Supreme Court—despite all the criticisms by Malacañang—is indicative of their commitment to uphold the Constitution.” With reports from Christian V. Esguerra, PDI, and Maila Ager, INQUIRER.net
Originally posted at 04:27 pm | Monday, December 14, 2011