Lawyer defends pro bono work for Corona

MANILA, Philippines – Turning the tables on the prosecution, a spokesperson for the defense said that their pro bono work for embattled Chief Justice Renato Corona did not violate Republic Act 6713 or The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“See if it applies to [the prosecutors], what will they get in return?” asked lawyer Karen Jimeno who was reacting to former Senator Rene Saguisag’s accusation of unethical conduct by Corona for the pro bono work of his lawyers.

“We are not receiving any amount in exchange for our work [in the defense panel],” Jimeno maintained, explaining that if their work fell under gifts or bribery it would mean that they were expecting something in exchange for their work.

She said that their team’s lawyers, even if asked one by one, would say that they were defending Corona not because of his position as chief magistrate but in order to protect the integrity of the Supreme Court.

“Siguro, para sa aking opinyon, kung isa-isa ninyo silang [defense team] tanungin, yung dahilan nila para dito ay panindigan nila ang kanilang pananaw na ito’y isang bagay na…mahalaga; na protektahan ang defendant, at ang dignidad ng Korte Suprema,” she said.

“I would be proud to tell my children that I was part of this historical event. That is enough,” added Jimeno, saying that she was not even a litigation lawyer nor was she part of any law firm. “I don’t like personal attacks, those are easy but they have to be avoided.”

She also admitted that the defense lawyers were likely losing time from their respective law firms to be present at the impeachment proceedings but added that “it is up to them to make up [for the lost time].” Chris Benedicto