Sen. Santiago loses cool over ‘observer’ treatment
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago lost her cool on Wednesday when she was not immediately recognized to speak in the ongoing impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renator Corona.
“May I request the opportunity to speak? I have been here for five minutes,” said Santiago.
“Out of courtesy to me as a senator-judge, will you please keep quiet until the Senate President [Juan Ponce-Enrile] has acted,” she said, directing her ire at private prosecutor Arthur Lim, who was then conducting a direct examination of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares.
“Please don’t treat me as a mere observer. I’m a judge in this proceeding. Do not drown me out by screaming in this courtroom, only I can scream here and my fellow colleagues,” Santiago said.
