Palace disappointed prosecutors failed to present evidence vs Corona on Day 2

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang reminded the House prosecutors, on Tuesday, of the huge responsibility resting on their shoulders as they take on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Secretary Edwin Lacierda, President Aquino’s spokesperson, made the remarks after the prosecution panel failed to present its evidence on the first day it was supposed to.

Lacierda said the Aquino administration expected the prosecutors to learn from the day’s developments in the Senate impeachment court.

“We continue to monitor the proceedings. Together with the rest of the nation, we believe that a lot rests on the shoulders of the prosecution, and expectations are high,” Lacierda said in a text message to reporters.

“The prosecution will surely heed the lessons of today’s proceedings. We are confident the truth will emerge during the trial,” he added.

The Senate impeachment court voted 14-6 to deny the motion of the House prosecutors to summon Corona’s wife and children to the hearing on his assets and liabilities.

The Senate also suspended the hearing when the defense questioned the decision of the prosecution to change the sequence of the presentation of evidence, thereby putting the assets and ill-gotten wealth issues at the top even if these were number 2 of the Articles of Impeachment.