CA Justice Hofilena never part of defense team, Corona camp clarifies

MANILA, Philippines—The camp of Chief Justice Renato Corona clarified that former Court of Appeals Justice Hector Hofilena is not part of its defense team.

Hofilena is reported to be one of the two counsels who withdrew from the defense team.

“I wish to clarify that Justice Hector Hofilena did not formally join the defense team. The truth of the matter is that he was among those who volunteered early on, but his membership as defense counsel was not formalized and it does not appear that this will change.  It is unfair to state that he resigned from the panel,” Lawyer Jose Roy III said in a statement.

Supreme Court Spokesman Jose Midas Marquez added that while Hofilena volunteered his services to the defense team, he did not attend any meeting.

“So, there is no opportunity to accept his offer,” Marquez said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier, lawyer Ernesto Francisco confirmed that he withdrew from Corona’s defense team.

Marquez, who pointed out he has spoken with Francisco, said “he believes that it would be best that he be not part of the defense team.”

He said Francisco’s withdrawal from services of the defense team does not mean withdrawal of support from Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Heading Corona’s defense team is former Supreme Court Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas. Aside from Roy, other members of the Defense Team include lawyers Jacinto Jimenez, German Lichaoco II and Dennis Manalo.