‘Disrespectful’ lawyer raises Santiago’s blood pressure

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s blood pressure rose after a private prosecutor allegedly displayed “disrespect” during the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona Wednesday.

“Biglang tumaas kanina. Ang blood pressure ko kanina 190/90, ang normal ay 120/80 masyadong lumundag. Kaya kelangan uminom ako ng gamot para hindi ako ma-heart attack or stroke,” she told reporters in an ambush interview after the trial.

But she said she was very happy that the impeachment court was “united” in citing contempt of court against private prosecutor Vitaliano Aguirre when she found out that he was caught on video covering his ears while she was lecturing the prosecutors.

“Imbes na magpaliwanag o mag apologize siya, aba, nagmayabang ba…inamin nyang sinasadya nya na talaga na ipakita na ayaw nya style ko impeachment court. Parang ginagatungan nyang magalit ako ng magalit. Sabi ng kapwa senador ko, hindi dapat ganun, kaya united sila..maski isa walang nag object,” she said.

Asked if she took it personally, Santiago said, “No, I’m too old to take these things personally. I think he just has a mental disorder because you know a lawyer will never, never aggravate a judge. Pwede mo gawin kung ano para manalo. Pero never, wag mo galitin ang judge..sigurado kang talo.. Gusto nya lang siguro matalo ang prosecution o i-publicize ang sarili niya.”

But the incident will not affect her judgment of the case. “It’s not a question of my ego. This is not an ego thing. I’m trying to educate the Filipino public, what is the meaning of an impeachment trial, ano pinag uusapan naming masyadong teknikal…sinusbukan kong ipaliwanag. Basta sa tingin ko, ako naman ang nahalal na senadora, sa tingin ko yun dapat na paraan na makapag impeachment trial tayo ayon sa katarungan.”