Corona lawyers to block attempts to put kin on witness stand

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the legal team of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona said on Monday they would block any attempts of the House panel to compel his family members to appear at the witness stand.

Serafin Cuevas, Corona’s lead counsel, said Article 3 of the 1987 Constitution clearly stated that “no person shall be compelled to testify.”

Cuevas, a retired Supreme Court justice, also downplayed allegations that the defense panel would try to cite technicalities to delay the impeachment proceedings.

“There is a constitutional provision on that matter. If we raise it, does it mean that we are delaying?” he argued.

“Any violation of the Constitution provision is a culpable violation of the Constitution and I don’t think they (House prosecutors) would want to be charged with (that),” the retired jurist said.

Corona’s legal team also expressed readiness to present their witnesses on the first day of the chief justice’s trial.

“Some of our witnesses are not too far away. If the court would allow us, we would try to present them today,” Jose Roy III, another Corona lawyer, said.