‘Serafin Cuevas School of Law’ now live on TV

SERAFIN CUEVAS: ‘Too good’ AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD

The impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona is slowly shaping up into a “Serafin Cuevas School of Law.”

Just a week into the trial, the retired Supreme Court associate justice has  impressed some senators and members of his own team with the way he has been defending Corona and attacking the prosecution’s case.

Cuevas’ knowledge of the law, particularly the Rules of Court and Rules of Evidence, was made apparent whenever he raised objections or made manifestations against prosecutors, led by Representative Niel Tupas Jr.

His performance has been commended in the social media, even if many of the comments did not necessarily subscribe to the defense position. One lawyer said she knew of law students closely watching the proceedings mainly to learn from a veteran litigator like Cuevas.

Tupas last week complained about Cuevas’ objections and asked the senator-judges not to allow the 83-year-old legal luminary to “lecture” prosecutors.

“We observed, Mr. Senate President, that the distinguished lead counsel of the defense has not only been objecting to our questions… but also lecturing us,” Tupas told the court.

‘Too good’

But Senators Vicente Sotto III and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said there was nothing wrong with Cuevas’ actions, both of them noting that Tupas and his team were likewise expected to raise objections when their time came.

“You can’t fault the other camp for being good,” Sotto, the majority leader, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Monday.

“We cannot blame the former justice for being a seasoned litigator,” Estrada said. “As a former law student, I am learning a lot from him. It’s very amusing. This is a learning experience.”

Like law students

Both Sotto and Estrada clarified they were not necessarily siding with the defense.

Defense counsel Ramon Esguerra, a litigator of more than 30 years, said he was himself impressed with the way Cuevas had been handling the case. In a defense panel meeting, he told Cuevas: “Sir, without really meaning to sound patronizing, I must tell you that I’m still learning from you.”

“He is very sharp, quick and organized with his thoughts,” Esguerra (no relation to this reporter) said. “He may be overdoing it at times, but there is no other way. He has to protect the interest of the client.”

At one point, Cuevas was heard telling fellow defense lawyers: “I am sorry if I appeared that way [condescending]. I would not have done so if they (prosecutors) did not act like law students.”

Esguerra said Cuevas was a good choice to head the defense because “he has the stature not to be bamboozled by anyone.”

Prosecutors have been complaining about Cuevas’ objections, which Tranquil Salvador III, another defense counsel, believes is a “strategy” to generate public sympathy. Salvador said Tupas’ manifestation against Cuevas’ lecturing “came out of nowhere.”

Tupas complained to the impeachment court: “I would also like to appeal to the lead counsel of the defense… to avoid unnecessary remarks and lecturing…”

“I would love to listen to the distinguished gentleman, but not inside this impeachment tribunal,” Tupas added.

Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr., one of the few House prosecutors with a long trial experience, appeared to have been “schooled” by Cuevas while the lawmaker was questioning Randy Rutaquio, head of the Taguig City register of deeds.

Barzaga, a former student of Cuevas on remedial law, had to “reform” his questions because of objections from his former mentor.

Originally posted at 09:29 pm | Monday, January 23, 2012