De Lima says will appear at impeach trial if asked

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said she would appear if asked before the Senate impeachment court to testify against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“If subpoenaed, yes, I will,” De Lima said.

De Lima met with partylist Representative Neri Colmenares last Wednesday. Colmenares is the lead prosecutor for Article 7 of the Articles of Impeachment, which accuses the chief magistrate of betrayal of public trust.

“We met and we made initial discussions on the possible parameters of my testimony,” De Lima said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is mum on the plan of the prosecution panel to summon Associate Justices Maria Lourdes Sereno and Presbitero Velasco, as well as Court Administrator and Spokesman Jose Midas Marquez.

INQUIRER.net sent several text messages and made several calls to Marquez’ office but there was no response as of this posting.