Sereno should reconsider

MANILA, Philippines—House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II has suggested that  Associate Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno reconsider her decision not to testify at the impeachment trial, after Chief Justice Renato Corona accused her of lying.

Sereno should come to the trial court and refute Corona’s allegations that she had lied in her dissenting opinion on the high court grant of a temporary restraining order to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last November.

The prosecution asked Sereno to testify on her dissenting opinion in which she accused Corona of “maneuvering” to allow Arroyo the TRO. But she said the issue was moot now that the prosecution had rested its case.

Gonzales said the prosecution could tap Sereno as a rebuttal witness should Corona decide to testify during the defense presentation of evidence.

“I don’t think she has to think twice before testifying now that CJ Corona has tainted her just to defend himself,” he said.

Gonzales also said the senator-judges should castigate Corona for his “defense by media publicity” after the prosecution had been repeatedly admonished for doing the same.

Malacañang on Friday challenged Corona to make his allegations against President Aquino and the administration under oath, instead of presenting his case before the media.

“What is happening is that the Chief Justice is obviously trying to explain to the public what his side of the issue is, except on the matter of the discrepancies in his SALN and the unreported assets that were brought up during the prosecution’s case in the impeachment trial,” said deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte.

“Whether his allegations will stand in court, or whether he will put himself on the stand is something that remains to be seen. And we would like to see him make these allegations under oath,” she said.

Valte, however, would neither confirm nor deny Corona’s allegation that the Aquino administration had sent emissaries to persuade him to resign and to discuss the Hacienda Luisita case.

Saying she had no knowledge about the issue, Valte said she would ask other officials about it.

Valte said the government had no information about threats against Corona’s life.

But the government would be ready to provide Corona with additional security if he believes he needs it, she said.