Pimentel, Guingona downplay Aquino’s attacks vs Corona

MANILA, Philippines—Two senators allied with President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday downplayed the Chief Executive’s attacks against Chief Justice Renato Corona despite the ongoing impeachment trial, where parties are enjoined not to discuss the merits of the case in public.

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said specific criticisms coming from the President were between him and Corona, who was impeached on Dec. 12 at the administration-dominated House of Representatives. Mr. Aquino has been openly campaigning for the Chief Justice’s removal.

“I don’t know how he is interfering. I don’t know. All I know is they’re commenting, but if we are not affected by the commentaries, they have no value,” Pimentel said in Filipino.

“The challenge is for us not to be affected by the commentaries of other people. We would have to now make our own decision based on the evidence,” he added.

Asked about the propriety of the President continuously attacking Corona and discussing the merits of the case in public, he said: “If somebody files a motion, then we will take it up. But no one seems to be affected that much that we don’t really care.”

Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, a member of Mr. Aquino’s Liberal Party, said the President’s attacks had a “substantial difference” to the allegation by Corona’s lawyers that the Palace was trying to bribe senators.

Last Sunday, defense lawyers claimed that the offer was P100 million in “soft projects” in exchange for a senator’s vote against the temporary restraining order on Corona’s dollar account.

Pimentel said both the defense and the prosecution should be sanctioned. He noted that prosecutors were now under fire for submitting to the Senate allegedly fake documents pertaining to Corona’s bank records. “My attitude now is that both sides should be punished,” he said.