2013 polls may hinder filing of new impeach rap vs Corona

Deputy speaker and Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tañada III. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Although a second impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona was possible after the one year ban, House deputy speaker Lorenzo Tañada III, a spokesman for the prosecution team, said there were many things to be considered in deciding to file a new case.

“One is that election would be around the corner. Even if we do file an impeachment complaint, I don’t know if the senator-judges would be able to have a quorum,” he told reporters during a press briefing at the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Speaking about the impending testimony of the chief magistrate, Tañada said the prosecution panel would “not be intimidated.”

Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara, another prosecution spokesman, said that the defense panel may have decided on presenting Corona as a witness “not really borne out of confidence (but because) they have no choice.”

“Iyan ay bunga lang ng necessity. Wala na silang choice because there are sectors that have already convicted him. Kung hindi (siya) tumestigo, mako-convict siya. (It’s) as simple as that,” he said.

To Tañada, Corona’s testimony was his only opportunity to be acquitted and that “failure to testify like Sonny [Angara] has mentioned, is already a death knell.”