Corona team slams prosecution’s trial by publicity

MANILA, Philippines—The defense team of embattled Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona on Tuesday slammed the prosecution team for discussing the trial in public.

Speaking to reporters before the trial resumed Tuesday, Jose Roy III, member of the Corona legal team, lambasted the prosecution panel for discussing issues which he deemed to be “designed to poison the minds of the public.”

He stressed that the prosecution should not be allowed to “slime the Chief Justice.”

“Basketball lang ito, let’s play in the court. Let the court decide,” he said, adding that they were still waiting for members of the prosecution to “declare under oath that they personally know that (Corona) owns the 45 properties.”

On the issue about the prosecution’s request to subpoena Corona and his family to testify in the impeachment trial, Roy said the defense panel would oppose such a request.

Roy also said that they were hopeful that the Senate would remain fair in the trial.