Supreme Court’s TRO should be respected, says defense lawyer Salvador

MANILA, Philippines—Defense spokesperson Tranquil Salvador III on Thursday said the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court should be respected but clarified the petition granted was the one submitted by the Philippine Savings Bank and not from embattled Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The question at this time, he said, was how the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, would take the issuance of the TRO.

For their part, Salvador said they saw the TRO on a positive note, especially for the banking system whose confidentiality of foreign currency accounts were being questioned because of developments in the impeachment trial.

Reacting to deputy lead prosecutor Rodolfo Fariñas’s statement that he would file an impeachment complaint against eight justices of the high tribunal who voted for the TRO, the defense spokesman said the statement was a “lawmaker’s opinion,” which could not be prevented “if they believe it is their constitutional duty.”

Salvador however clarified that what was happening was not war between two branches of the government but instead was a sign that “they are still working” despite the issue of the impeachment trial.

On news that President Aquino-appointed Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes voted for the issuance of the TRO, Salvador said it was “a good indication that the Supreme Court continues to work despite the challenges faced by its chief justice.”