Chief Justice Renato Corona
MANILA, Philippines – The impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona is now entering its final stage with the prosecution and defense teams set to give their oral arguments and closing statements at Monday’s resumption of the proceeding.
Day 43 of the trial began at around 2:00 p.m.
The defense team being headed by former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas and the prosecution panel being headed by Iloilo Niel Tpas Jr. are given one hour each to give their oral arguments.
On Tuesday, the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, is scheduled to give its verdict on the case.
But Senator Gringo Honasan, who sits as judge in the trial, admitted that until now, he remained undecided contrary to speculations that most senators have already made a decision on the case.
“(I have not decided yet) I have to see the process completed,” Honasan said over the phone.
“I deliberately choose to remain undecided at this point. Everything will come together after the oral arguments,” he further said.
The senator assured that he would vote based on conscience, and not his affiliation or his plan to run for re-election in 2013.
“Ultimately, it’s going to be a conscience call,” Honasan said.
He said his re-election bid next year would not be a major consideration when he casts his vote on Tuesday.
“I done vote either to convict or acquit solely on the the basis of my desire to be reelected in 2013. My supporters, my family will never forgive me because that’s so inconsistent of me. That’ts not like me,” the senator added.
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