Corona’s ‘physical, mental condition’ preventing return to court—Cuevas

Lead defense legal counsel Cerafin Cuevas. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – Chief Justice Renato Corona is willing to be back, his lawyer Serafin Cuevas told the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, Wednesday at the resumption of his client’s trial.

But Cuevas said the “stumbling block” to Corona’s return was his “mental and physical condition”.

“I got the assurance that Chief Justice Corona is willing to be back…but the stumbling block is his mental and physical condition,” said Cuevas, citing his conversation with the wife and children of the Chief Justice who is now in the ICU of the Medical City Hospital in Pasig where he was rushed after midnight Wednesday, a day after he testified.

Corona’s absence prompted Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to suspend the trial Wednesday and issue a Friday deadline to Corona to return to court.

Cuevas said he and other defense lawyers were unable to talk to Corona because they were prevented by his doctors. He said they were really convinced that Corona was not really fit to testify.

“In fact, he can’t stand up,” Cuevas added.