Tiangco testifies as first defense witness

MANILA, Philippines–Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco was the first witness presented by the defense team in the resumption Monday of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Defense lawyer Dennies Manalo said Tiangco will testify “to prove or lay the basis or introduce the factual background” of Corona’s defenses.

Tiangco was presented by the defense team despite the decision of the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to deny a motion to subpoena several congressmen and the Secretary-General of the House of Representatives in relation to the verification of the impeachment complaint filed against Corona.

In presenting Tiangco, Manalo assured that the witness would not touch on the verification of the complaint.

Senate president and presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile also reminded the defense team that Tiangco could not testify or offer evidence pertaining to five charges that were already dropped by the prosecution team.