Corona seeks ‘disciplinary measures’ on Tupas, others in prosecution team

MANILA, Philippines—Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona has asked the Senate sitting as an impeachment court to impose “disciplinary measures” against members of the prosecution team for disclosing in a press conference alleged pieces of evidence against him.

 ‘DISCIPLINE THEM’. Corona asks ‘disciplinary measures’ against Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr. (second from left, front row) and the other 10 members of the prosecution team. In this file photo, Tupas, who is also the House Committee Justice Chairman, is shown (from left) with Representatives Teddy Casiño, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Antonio Tinio, Reynaldo Umali, Ben Evardone and some leaders of civil society organizations when they filed the documents detailing the eight-point Articles of Impeachment against Corona. TOBIAS ENGAY/MRS-PRIB  

Corona’s prayer was contained in a six-page manifestation filed Monday by his lawyer, Jose Roy, before the Office of the Senate Secretary.

“CJ Corona manifests his objection to the prosecution’s unbridled dissemination of information or documents, which may not even be admissible in evidence or relevant to the case,” it said.

“He (Corona) also manifests his conformity to the authority of the Honorable Impeachment Court under Rule V in relation to Rule XVIII of the Senate Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials to issue or promulgate any interim or disciplinary measures to enforce and carry into effect its legal mandate,” it added.

The evidence being referred to was the documents that the prosecution team had shown on January 3 in a press conference pertaining to a high-end condominium unit in Taguig City allegedly owned by Corona.

Corona said the chief prosecutor’s, Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., claim that he had not violated any rules “betrays his lack of candor.”

Evidently, the manifestation said, Tupas had all intention to publicize information or documents against Corona despite knowledge of the Senate rules.

“These rules seek to prevent undue speculation from the general public regarding the merits of the case and insulate the senator-judges from influence or pressure outside the proceedings before them to ensure a fair, impartial and credible trial,” it said.

“Against these purposes, the prosecution’s recent tack, no less than that of its chief prosecutor, is a clever ruse to destroy the image of CJ Corona before the bar of public opinion and generate a negative public perception of his guilt ahead of the impeachment trial,” it added.