‘Movement 188’ all praises for Enrile

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

A group of lawmakers who signed the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona praised Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday for his handling of the impeachment trial.

The members of the newly formed Movement 188 expressed their sentiment in a press conference hours before Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., the lead prosecutor, confronted the presiding officer for his purported strict implementation of the rules.

Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento said Enrile had been “brilliant” and even-handed in presiding over the trial, allowing the prosecution, the defense and the senator-judges to speak their piece within the limits of the rules.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said that while he and his peers were “awed” by Serafin Cuevas, the lead counsel of the defense tended to be “too legalistic” as part of the team’s strategy.

Sarmiento said members of Movement 188 would conduct an informal public information campaign in their respective districts to make their constituents aware of the charges against Corona and the implications of his impeachment.