Senate heeds SC TRO on foreign currency deposits

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate sitting as an impeachment court has decided to defer any discussion on foreign currency deposits in the name of Chief Justice Renato Corona in deference to a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court.

It was Senator Panfilo Lacson, who mentioned about the TRO, during Thursday’s impeachment trial in the Senate.

“My manifestation would have involved the subpoena issued by this court in relation to this FDC use. And since we are in receipt of an information that the Supreme Court has just issued a TRO in that regard , then I’d like to defer to the caucus, which is scheduled this Monday so we can discuss this thoroughly,” said Lacson.

After hearing this, presiding officer and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile directed the senator-judges to heed the SC decision until the matter is discussed by the chamber in a caucus.

“From hereon, in deference to the Supreme Court, the interpreter of the Constitution and the guardian of basic rights guaranteed by the bill of rights, this chair would suggest and recommend to this impeachment court and two side of the case—the prosecution and the defense panels—to take heed and discuss other issues other than foreign currency deposits because of the presence of a TRO with the Supreme Court and we will discuss that in due time,” Enrile said.