Senators to disregard media revelations, says Pimentel

BAGUIO CITY—The revelations made by the House of Representatives’ panel charged with prosecuting Chief Justice Renato Corona will not affect the senators who will sit as judges in the impeachment trial, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said on Friday.

“We will disregard everything we saw and heard [in the] media because [the panel’s disclosure of evidence] was not in accordance with the rules of presenting evidence in the impeachment trial,” Pimentel said at a news conference here.

The senator was in the city to attend the investiture of the new president of Benguet State University in neighboring La Trinidad town.

Sen. Pia Cayetano was also in the city from Sunday to Wednesday, after hiking on Mt. Ugo in Itogon, Benguet. She said she spent her free time in Baguio studying for the impeachment trial.

Distractions

Pimentel said the senators had resolved to ignore all distractions, including the moves of Corona’s lawyers.

Asked about Corona’s request to subpoena House members for allegedly railroading the impeachment complaint, he said Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile would need to consult all the senators before acting on the motion.

“It would be hard to predict how long this trial could go. If there are no delaying tactics, it should be finished as soon as possible,” Pimentel said.

“Both sides will just have to present [their evidence] logically and properly. We will not be affected by any drama. We will stick to what has been properly introduced to the court,” he said.

The senator also said he and his colleagues were aware that “all our actions [at the impeachment trial] will be answerable to the people.”

Conducive to study

In a text message to the Inquirer, Cayetano said she brought books and documents, including manuals on impartiality, to equip her for the trial.

She said that like other Baguio visitors, she found the city’s cool climate helpful: “I decided to study in Baguio because I love the environment. I can study in the cool fresh air with the scent of pine trees. Then when I need a break, I just step out and ride a bike or run.”

Some of the books concern the impeachment process and case studies of pleadings raised in many impeachment trials in the United States, she said.