Senator proposes caucus to agree on decorum rules if Corona testifies

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Loren Legarda has proposed a caucus where senator-judges would agree on the parameters of behavior that would be observed in case Chief Justice Renato Corona takes the witness stand in his impeachment trial.

Legarda said an agreement on decorum that must be observed when asking Corona questions would assuage fears of the Chief Justice’s lead counsel Serafin Cuevas that his client might be disrespected.

Cuevas had been very vocal about this concern, along with his personal observation that some senator-judges appear to be aiding the prosecution.

“A caucus to discuss decorum would be in order. Of course, while the senators trust each other, we need to do this just so we would be reminded of parameters, like the time limit and the decision [on] who goes first,” Legarda told reporters in a news conference Thursday.

Normally, Senate majority leader Tito Sotto observes the first-come-first-served principle when he rattles off the names of senator-judges who have questions to ask of witnesses.

“Not all senators ask questions,” Legarda observed.

“But just to make sure that there is no chaos on the floor, we should lay down the rules. Do we make reservations? Draw lots? Would be it alphabetical? Based on seniority? Or beauty, perhaps?” she said in jest.

Legarda reiterated the position voiced by some colleagues that Corona is his own best defense witness.

“I will be very disappointed if he does not appear in the (impeachment court). He is the one who knows his accounts best, whether peso or dollar. And he is also in the best position to explain all the acquisitions of his family,” she said. .

Legarda added that Corona has to reconcile “the perceived inconsistencies in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth and many other issues.”

“I will be very respectful and dignified as always. We must all accord him the due respect and dignity,” the senator promised, should Corona decide to take the witness stand.