Arroyo votes not guilty

Senator Joker Arroyo. PHOTO BY MATIKAS SANTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Joker Arroyo voted for the acquittal of Chief Justice Renato Corona Tuesday.

In his speech on the 44th day of the Senate impeachment trial, Arroyo said that an “impeachment is a political process not a political assassination… An impeachment trial must forever uphold the due process.”

Arroyo said, “What started in the House is not an impeachment for impeachment is accompanied by formalities.” He added that the purpose was to arrive at some probable cause which will be sufficient to file a case.

Arroyo said the alleged failure of Corona to file a truthful statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) was not sufficient for him to be removed from office.

“I cannot imagine removing a chief justice on account of his SALN,” Arroyo said.

He also reminded the court about Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s warning at the start of the trial regarding the Bill of Attainder, in which a person, though innocent, was deemed guilty upon enactment of a law.

“Today we are a step from violating the Constitution… This is not justice… this is certainly not law, for sure… This is naked power as it was in 1972. I never thought I would see it again,” Arroyo added.