Medical checkup for Corona; ‘No drama’ says lawyer

A wheelchair-bound Chief Justice Renato Corona was taken to the Medical city in Pasig city “for a routine medical checkup” after his appearance in the Senate yesterday afternoon.

“I can tell you honestly that what happened (at the Senate) to the Chief Justice was no drama,” said Rico Paolo, one of Corona’s lawyers.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile later agreed to give him some slack.

“We will give him, to be considerate to him, will give him until tomorrow (Wednesday) to return. Then if he will not return for cross-examination, we will consider this case submitted for resolution,” said Enrile.

Enrile was earlier taken aback when the Chief Justice suddenly stood up and told the impeachment court, “May I be excused?” at the end of his testimony, then proceeded to walk out of the Senate plenary hall.

When the session resumed, the wheelchair-bound Corona showed up.

His lead counsel former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas, informed the chamber that his client was suffering from hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

This didn’t stop  Enrile from giving Cuevas a dressing down for Corona’s action.

“You place the Chief Justice on the witness stand, we allowed him to narrate his defense. If he does not want to be cross-examined, you know the consequences of that,” Enrile said.

He warned: “We will order the striking out of all his statement from the record and we will decide the case based on the evidence based on record. So it’s your plate.”

In response, Cuevas said: “I wanted to assure the court that there’s no such plan, Your Honor.”

Cuevas said he didn’t realize that Corona was already suffering from  chest pain, difficulty in breathing and dizziness.

“In fact, a couple of minutes before these things actually took place he was already taking medicines,” he said.

But Enrile argued that as Chief Justice, Corona knows the decorum of the court.

“He could very well have said: ‘I’m not feeling well,’” Enrile said. Cuevas apologized and asked for understanding from the Senate President.

Enrile said the Senate would only give Corona today to continue his statement.

“We will give him, to be considerate to him, will give him until tomorrow to return. Then if he will not return for cross-examination, we will consider this case submitted for resolution,” he said.INQUIRER