Senate opens Corona impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate formally began on Monday the impeachment trial against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who sits as presiding officer, banged the gavel past 2:00 p.m. to signal the start of the proceedings.

Senator Edgardo Angara opened the 2:11 p.m. proceedings with a prayer asking the “heavens” to grant him and his colleagues “good judgment.”

The impeachment complaint against Corona was initiated and signed by 188 members of the House of Representatives last Dec. 12, 2011 and filed in the Senate the following day.

On Dec. 14, 2011, the Senate convened itself as an impeachment court to try the case of Corona.

The 11-man prosecution team was then immediately formed by the House. Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr. will be the lead prosecutor while Cavite Representative Joseph Emilio Abaya will manage the prosecution team.

The other members of the prosecution team are Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo C. Fariñas, Akbayan Rep. Arlene J. Bag-ao, CIBAC Rep. Sherwin N. Tugna, Cavite Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr., Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali, Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza, Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri J. Colmenares and Isabela Rep. Giorgidi B. Aggabao.

Corona’s defense team on the other hand is composed of former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas; Ramon Esguerra, Jacinto Jimenez and Tranquil Salvador of Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc and De Los Angeles law offices; German Lichauco III, Dennis Manalo and Noel Lazaroo f Siguion Reyna Montecillo and Ongsiako law offices; Jose Roy III, former dean of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s Law School; Joel Bodegon, managing partner of Bodegon Estorninos Guerzon Borje & Gozos law offices; Rico Paolo Quicho, partner in Quicho and Angeles law offices; and Karen Jimeno, cum laude graduate from the UP College of Law. With a report from Michael Ubac, Inquirer