Defense’s list of witnesses to be filed today, says spokesperson Jimeno

MANILA, Philippines—Defense panel spokesperson lawyer Karen Jimeno on Tuesday said they would file their list of witnesses within the day.

She told reporters hours before the resumption of the Corona impeachment trial they had an initial 15 to 16 witnesses for the entire trial but have yet to finalize the list.

She said they “reserve the right to add witnesses” as the trial progressed but was quick to clarify that their witnesses would not reach a hundred as they did not want to delay the trial.

Jimeno however declined to reveal the names of their witnesses, citing the impeachment court’s warning on discussing the case outside of the trial. “(The list) will become a public record once we file it,” she assured the media, who have been asking for copies of the list.

She also declined to confirm rumors that they would call Representatives Niel Tupas Jr. and Miro Quimbo of the prosecution panel as witnesses. “I cannot confirm it, for now we are focusing on important things. We’re still (tackling) Article 2.”

Jimeno hit back at the prosecution panel again for “trial by publicity”, urging the prosecution “huwag pangunahan ang decision. Hindi pa nakikita ang evidence (Don’t prejudge the decision prior to presentation of evidence).”

She explained that it was important the people’s minds will not be influenced so early in the trial.