Solon, House official to testify in Corona trial

MANILA, Philippines – Two witnesses from the House of Representatives are expected to testify at the resumption of the impeachment trial on Monday, a member of the defense team said.

“Two witnesses I think from the House of Representatives,” said defense lawyer Ramon Esguerra in a text message when asked who are the witnesses that they would present at Monday’s resumption of the trial.

Esguerra identified the two as Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco and House Secretary-General Marilyn Barua-Yap.

Before this, the prosecution team had requested the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to order the defense team to disclose its order of presentation of evidence.

But in an interview with reporters, Senate president and presiding officer Juan Ponce-Enrile said the defense team is not required to disclose to the Senate their witnesses or evidence.

“You can’t control the defense in the order of presentation of their defense,” Enrile said.

“They are defending themselves. They must have enough leeway to handle their defense,” he added.

Unlike the prosecutors who were directed by the Senate to submit their order of presentation of evidence, Enrile said Corona’s lawyers can present their witnesses whenever they want.

Asked why the defense team was not required to present its order of presentation of evidence, Enrile said, “Because they have the burden of proof. Ang gagawin lang naman ng defense is to rebut yung evidence nila…to disprove.”

Before the resumption, the senators will hold a caucus to discuss the offer of evidence by the prosecution and a motion by the defense team to dismiss the five articles of impeachment that were dropped by the prosecutors.

Enrile said he already has a written ruling about the prosecution evidence that should be admitted or rejected by the Senate but said he has yet to present it in the caucus for concurrence of his colleagues.