Corona testimony unrehearsed, lawyer says

MANILA, Philippines – Chief Justice Renato Corona did not rehearse his testimony on Tuesday and he prepared his statement without any help from members of the defense panel, one of his lawyers said Tuesday.

“We did not know what it contained or how long it is. This is the first time we are heard [his statement],” Karen Jimeno said Tuesday during a break in impeachment proceedings.

Corona began his much awaited testimony by reading a lengthy opening statement that narrated his version of the Basa-Guidote family feud while assailing his enemies.

He also decried the negative publicity he was being given portraying that he and his wife Cristina oppressed the members of the Basa family.

Corona broke down in the midst of his testimony, prompting lead counsel Serafin Cuevas to ask for a momentary suspension.

Jimeno denied Corona’s breakdown was scripted and said that the entire defense panel was also surprised that Corona suddenly became tearful.

She added that Corona did not practice his testimony with the defense during their meetings. All the counsels did was to give topics and pointers to Corona for his consideration.

Corona later suddenly left the session hall after his opening statement because he was allegedly feeling dizzy and nauseous.

Defense spokesperson Rico Paolo Quicho later said in a press briefing that it was not “drama or a zarzuela [theatre play].”

Lead prosecutor Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr. said in a separate interview that it looked scripted and was most likely a “desperate move” by Corona.