MANILA, Philippines – A representative of the Philippine Savings Bank has been allowed to testify at the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona despite pending petitions filed against it before the Supreme Court.
Pascual Garcia III, president of PSBank branch in Katipunan, Quezon City, took the witness stand on Wednesday despite objection raised by Corona’s lead counsel, former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas.
“The issue relative to these bank deposits is now under question your honor. With apology and with indulgence of this honorable court, we went on certiorari before the Supreme Court raising this particular matter as an issue on our claim for grave abuse of discretion ..” said Cuevas when chief prosecutor, Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas III called the witness.
“If this witness will be allowed to testify now, we are worried that our petition maybe rendered moot and academic. So out of respect for the Supreme Court your honor, we beg most respectfully that this be deferred even up to Tuesday your honor,” he said.
Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile initially acceded to Cuevas’ request but Tupas insisted that their witness be allowed to testify in the trial.
At this point, Enrile said, “We can’t stop the process with due respect to the Supreme Court. We are mandated to try and decide this.”
“The language of the Constitution is to shall forthwith proceed with the trial and decisions of this case. Now you’re free to state your objections or any questions against the presentation of these witnesses but we will allow the presentation of the witnesses who are here now,” said Enrile.
He admitted though that he was in a quandary because at the moment, there was no order from any authority to stop the proceeding.
In the end, Enrile ruled that, “In the absence of the temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, the chair rules that we must proceed with the trial.”