MANILA, Philippines — Even Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile wants Supreme Court Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno to take the witness stand and testify in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
But Enrile, the presiding officer in the trial, categorically said on Tuesday that he would not cite Sereno in contempt even if she refuses or the Supreme Court stops her from appearing before the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile.
“Oo, Oo [Yes,yes]. No question about that. We’re after the truth,” Enrile told reporters.
“We will treat her [Sereno] with deference but she is a witness. She can be asked questions in a cordial and courteous manner,” he said.
While Sereno’s dissenting opinion on the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court last November 15 was presented in the trial by the prosecution team, Enrile said the chamber could not accept the entire document as evidence because he said some information were hearsay.
The November 15 TRO issued on the government’s watchlist order against former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macpagal-Arroyo falls under Article VII of the impeachment complaint which accuses Corona of “partiality” in granting the TRO in favor of Arroyo and her husband , Jose Miguel Arroyo.
“You take the dissenting opinion at face value. The defense can introduce evidence that the dissenting opinion is not true,” said Enrile.
But with the Supreme Court resolution issued last February 14 regulating the appearance of members and employees of the judiciary before the impeachment court, the Senate leader could not say how Sereno could participate in the proceedings.
“Hindi ko alam kung anong rules. I’m not familiar with the internal rules of the Supreme Court,” Enrile said.
Asked if the senators would again discuss the matter if Sereno refuses to testify in the Senate, Enrile said, “Hindi na, hindi na [No more, no more]. I will not cite Jusice Sereno for contempt. I will not. What for?”