Impeachment court intervenes in word war between defense, prosecution

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate has stepped in to halt an  escalating word war in the mass media between the spokespersons of opposing camps in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

With the protracted battle between the two camps affecting the trial, the Senate has ordered both the defense and prosecution panels to rein in their spokespersons, who are passionately fighting this impeachment battle in the arena of public opinion.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the presiding officer in the impeachment trial, has designated Senate legal counsel Valentina Cruz, who serves as the court spokesperson, as a referee of sorts.

Cruz was ordered at the close of Thursday’s hearing  to “coordinate with the two panels’ spokespersons” and “moderate public statements” about the proceedings.

The court also cautioned the prosecution spokespersons against presenting evidence in public.

Speaking for the defense are lawyers Karen Jimeno, Tranquil Salvador III and Jose Roy III, while the House panel has designated its lawyer-members Romero Quimbo, Juan Edgardo Angara, Erin Tañada and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales Jr. as spokespersons.

These spokespersons have been dominating the airwaves for the last two weeks.

It was Senator Gregorio Honasan II who convinced the court to issue the order, noting the “premature and unwarranted disclosure of what constitutes the merits of the case.”

“I’m not suggesting a gag rule,” said the senator from Sorsogon, maintaining that he would want a liberal application of the rules on impeachment.

However, he was quick to add that the spokespersons, in their effort to win public opinion, have been presenting evidence at press briefings.

“Trial outside the courtroom is proceeding faster than the trial inside the courtroom. It should be the other way around. Verdicts are being done in the minds of people,” said Honasan.

Honasan converted his manifestation into a motion, saying: “I move for the court to direct the court spokesperson to confer with both prosecution and defense.”

The senator also highlighted the importance of the trial being seen by the public as subscribing to the constitutional presumption of innocence.

“(There is a) continuing presumption until the verdict is rendered. What about the presumption of honor of a good family name?” he asked, saying the court should be above the fray by not abetting those trying to destroy the reputation of Corona and his children and grandchildren.

The second week saw spokespersons of the two camps stepping up their attacks against each other following the presentation of witnesses and evidence on the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), income tax records and deeds of sale pertaining to Corona and his family.

This battle to gain the upper hand in the media war is fought at the Recto and Laurel Rooms, about ten steps away from the Senate Session Hall. The Senate is housed in the Government Service Insurance System building in Pasay City.

The spokespersons hold court at these committee rooms, which have been converted into working lounges and briefing areas. Media personnel have christened them “war rooms.”

For easy access to the spokespersons and lawyers for both panels, television networks have set up studios at Laurel Room.