Corona’s appearance in trial ‘a milestone in fight for accountability’

MANILA, Philippines — Spokesmen of the prosecution team deemed beleaguered Chief Justice Renato Corona’s appearance before the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, on Tuesday as a historical event.

Chief Justice Renato Corona. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

House deputy speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III said that the day was a rare event in that “ang nasasakdal mismo ang sasagot sa tanong mula sa kanyang mga abugado at prosecutors.”

The chief magistrate’s testimony could be considered a “milestone in the fight for accountability,” said Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

He said that the motorcade and inter-faith masses court employees launched in their show of support for Corona were just “preliminaries…  The main event is here.”

“We are fairly upbeat and we are ready. All the pressure is on the defense side.”

Prosecutors Mario Bautista, Arthur Lim and Jose Justiniano have prepared for their cross examination of the chief justice but public prosecutors will take lead in matters regarding to law, Tanada said.

“It doesn’t mean other lawyers will not assist them. They are all on standby. In questions regarding law, lead prosecutor Niel Tupas Jr., Ilocos Norte Representative Rodolfo Farinas and the nine other public prosecutors are prepared.”

Cross examination however, will only revolve around Article 2 of the impeachment complaint as the defense has yet to cover articles 3 and 7.

“Ang tanong ay kung pagkatapos tumestigo [ni Corona] is the defense ready to forgo presentation of evident with regards to article 3 and 7? [If so, then the] basis of decision will be only be article 2.”

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales’ testimony can be considered in the senator-judges’ decision, Tanada said. “Ang pinaguusapan ay kung ang halaga sa bank accounts ay na-declare sa statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) [What’s being discussed was whether the bank accounts were declared in the statement of assets and liabilities]. Testigo siya ng defense [and her testimony] has been made part of the record of the case.”

The worst thing that may happen was if the chief justice himself “ay hindi makatulong sa paglabas ng katotohanan [won’t help in ferreting out the truth]. Yun ang worst [na pwedeng mangyari] para sa bansa [That is the worst that can happen to a country],” said Tañada.

He added that if Corona would not be instrumental in ferreting out the truth, the day would be “a sad day in search for truth.”

But whatever the decision of the impeachment tribunal, whether they acquit or convict the chief justice, the spokesmen said that the prosecution panel was prepared to accept it.

“Tatanggapin namin ang [We will accept the] decision, acceptance is a sign of a maturing democracy,” said Tañada.