Defense lawyer Roy defends Representative Tiangco’s testimony

MANILA, Philippines—Defense Counsel Jose Roy III on Tuesday said there was an “atmosphere of intimidation” when the impeachment complaint was filed in the House of Representatives.

He reiterated Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco’s testimony that the congressmen “signed [the impeachment complaint] because they had no choice.”

“The whole point of the Tiangco testimony is to show that even if the complaint was unsubstantiated, even if it had very little substance, people signed it because they had no choice,” Roy told media in an ambush interview.

Tiangco, as the defense’s first witness, testified on the alleged pressure used by allies of President Benigno Aquino III in the House of Representative to get congressmen to sign the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Roy said Tiangco had spoken to persons who “were angry that they were forced to sign.”

Prosecution members, as well as House Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales, said the testimony of Tiangco was not related to the impeachment of the Chief Justice and was merely a “side show” to distract the proceedings.

“The amount of reaction that has been generated by Congressman Tiangco’s testimony speaks for itself,” Roy said. He added that it “justifies the fact that he was a witness in the case.”

Roy added they want to have members of the house testify.

“We only heard the side of those who didn’t sign. We want to hear the side of those who did sign,” Roy said.