Corona on witness stand will help prosecution—Aquino
President Benigno Aquino III and Chief Justice Renato Corona. INQUIRER file photo
CALAPAN CITY—President Benigno Aquino III on Friday said the prosecution’s case against Chief Justice Renato Corona in his impeachment trial would be helped if Corona took the witness stand.
Mr. Aquino made the remark a day after Corona’s chief legal counsel, former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas, said on television that he thought it would not be a good idea for his client to testify in his trial.
“Perhaps, (Corona’s) chief counsel has a message. And that is simple, that it wouldn’t help their case if the Chief Justice takes the witness stand,” Mr. Aquino told reporters.
“Of course, (Corona’s appearance in court) would help our case but we cannot force anybody” the President added.
Asked if he believed that Corona’s camp did not want him to be cross-examined by the prosecution panel, Mr. Aquino said: “It’s difficult to impute motives and we’re now into the Lenten season.”
“I remember the advice that my mother gave me, that if I have nothing good to say, better not say anything at all. Perhaps, I’d just be quiet in that regard,” Mr. Aquino said.
President Aquino was in Oriental Mindoro to attend the inauguration of a 2.1-megawatt mini-hydroelectric plant and the ceremonial switching on of an electrification project for more than 40 sitios.
