Ombudsman, 4 others summoned to Corona trial
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and four others have been summoned by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court to appear and testify in the trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“Yes, I issued the subpoena today [Wednesday],” Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, who presides over the trial, told reporters on Wednesday.
Enrile said he issued the subpoena to the Ombudsman to shed light on a case filed against Corona in connection with his alleged $10 million deposit by Akbayan Partylist Representative Walden Bello, former Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros, Emmanuel Santos, and Harvey Keh.
Enrile said Bello was included in the subpoena because he believed that the lawmaker waived his inter-parliamentary immunity when he filed a complaint against the Chief Justice.
While the $10 million deposit was not mentioned in the impeachment case filed against Corona, Enrile said there was no need to amend the complaint even if the deposit indeed exists.
“There’s is none,” Enrile said when asked if there was a need to amend the complaint.
“If there’s $10 million account, the characterization of the amount regarding its source is immaterial. We will characterize it as asset.
Was it included in the SALN [statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth] or not? We’re talking of non -inclusion,” he pointed out.
Corona’s alleged failure to disclose to the public his SALN was one of the charges contained in the impeachment complaint.
Corona’s camp promised to present him in the trial if the issue of the $10 million deposit would be formally brought to the Senate.
Enrile reiterated that Corona would be accorded due respect when he testifies in the trial.
“We are not going to be abrasive or be disrespectful. We wil grant him all the courtesies due him as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” said the Senate leader.
“There’s no one who will insult him or be rude to him. We will treat him with utmost deference, including the Ombudsman” he added.
