Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile . JUNNY ROY / SENATE POOL
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has no plans of calling the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in the ongoing impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona without a request from any involved parties.
Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, who presides over the trial, said there was no request yet to summon the AMLC and the Senate could not act on its own to call any witness.
“Walang request sa akin (There are no request),” Enrile told reporters on Tuesday, a day after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales testified about the $10million banks deposits allegedly owned by the Chief Justice.
Morales said the information about the $10 million came from the AMLC, specifically from its executive director, Vicente Aquino.
“Hindi kami pwedeng motu propio na tatawag ng witness. Kung may request lang yung magkabila (We cannot call for a witness moto propio. Only if there is a request from either party),” Enrile added.
The Senate leader refused to comment when asked about some questions raised at how the Ombudsman got the bank details from the AMLC.