Irked Santiago scolds prosecution lawyer
MANILA, Philippines—Another member of the prosecution team received a dressing down from Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago when the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona resumed on Thursday.
Santiago threatened to disqualify private prosecutor Arthur Lim after the latter supposedly questioned the senator’s “authority.”
It started when Lim failed to give immediate answer to Santiago’s query whether the prosecution was accusing the respondent, Corona, of violating the anti-graft and corrupt practices act.
“May I be permitted to…,” said Lim but she was interrupted by the senator, who said, “Answer yes or no…!”
“Do not override me… We’ve already heard that in your pleadings, in your subpoena… don’t be sententious because every hour counts,” Santiago said.
So when the senator repeated her question, Lim answered, ”yes.”
Article continues after this advertisement“And don’t ever overstep yourself. Don’t engage in a colloquy with me. You are not supposed to discuss or argue during an impeachment trial especially when you are speaking to an impeachment judge,” Santiago went on.
Article continues after this advertisement“Can we answer the question the way we feel it should be answered?” asked Lim.
“No! You should answer according the rules of the court determined by the Senate acting as an impeachment court . That’s the rule here!”
And when Lim asked the senator to cite the specific rule, Santiago responded before saying this: “This is the end of the colloquy. How dare you raise questions to my authority. Be careful because I might request to inhibit you, or disqualify you from appearing here.”
Iloilo Representative Nile Tupas Jr., head of the prosecution team, was the first who received a dressing down from Santiago last Tuesday.
