Defense hits prosecution’s call for ‘flexibility’ in Corona trial

MANILA, Philippines – The defense panel on Tuesday slammed the prosecution team’s request for flexibility in the impeachment process, saying that such a move will result into “mob rule”.

Lawyer Karen Jimeno, spokesperson of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s defense team, described the prosecution panel’s request as “isang paglilitis na walang patakaran… baka kahit ano pwede nang tanungin, kahit ano pwede ibintang.”

She also criticized the prosecution panel for showing to the public the Corona’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), saying that it was against Corona’s rights to release to the public such documents. “Pinangungunahan na nila na ito yung ibig sabihin ng discrepancies,” Jimeno said, adding that Corona’s reputation was being sullied before the trial was completed.

Jimeno said that one of their concerns was that the prosecution was not following the impeachment court’s “stern warning not to disclose or discuss the merits of the case outside the court.” She said the senator-judges were in the best position to decide which documents could be considered evidence.

Meanwhile, another spokesperson of the defense panel, lawyer Tranquil Salvador III, asked the media to be discerning in their reports and in releasing copies of documents. He said that anyone viewing the documents could compare and derive their own conclusions but was quick to clarify that they were not angry at the media, suggesting “let us just be accurate in our reporting.”

Salvador said that this trial was important as it would be useful in impeachment proceedings in the future. “This will strengthen our country, strengthen our democracy. We should do it properly.”

Salvador also denied anew the prosecution’s accusations that the defense was delaying the impeachment proceedings against Corona, pointing out that they had filed their memorandum asking the Senate to bar prosecutors from presenting documents and testimony on properties named after Corona in accordance with the Senate’s order.

Jimeno said that they were satisfied with the pace of the trial, saying “ginagawa namin ang lahat para mapabilis [ito]… nalulungkot kami sa mga bintang na pinapabagal namin [ang trial].”