Prosecution spokesperson Rep. Sonny Angara. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Chief Justice Renato Corona’s walkout was “embarrassing” and “premeditated” so that he could avoid cross-examination, prosecutors from the House of Representatives said.
Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said that it was part of the defense team’s plan to avoid cross-examination and was unbecoming of a chief magistrate.
“Nakakahiya po kasi chief justice siya, punong mahistrado po ng Korte Suprema and yet ‘yung proseso po ng impeachment court ay hindi niya kayang galangin [It’s embarrassing because he’s a chief justice, chief magistrate of the Supreme Court and yet he doesn’t respect the process of the impeachment court],” Angara said.
House of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada, another spokesperson of the prosecution, said that the chief justice’s walkout was “premeditated” so he could avoid cross-examination by the prosecution.
He said that they were disappointed by how the defense sought to save the chief justice from cross-examination.
Of Corona’s challenge to the 188 congressmen who crafted the impeachment complaint against him to also present their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino said that being urged to sign a waiver of their bank accounts was a clear publicity stunt.
“It does not deserve any serious consideration. It is a ploy to justify his continued refusal to reveal his true assets.”
“Unless he answers questions from the prosecution he has no right demanding anything from anyone.”
Corona has been ordered by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to return to the trial on Wednesday or have his testimony taken out of their records.