Contempt sought for House leader over ‘threats’ to Corona witnesses

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Chief Justice Renato Corona is asking the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to declare Majority Leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales of the House of Representatives “guilty of contempt of court” for allegedly threatening some congressmen from testifying before the impeachment court.

Majority Leader Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

In a five-page “motion to cite in contempt” furnished to reporters on Tuesday, Corona’s defense team asked the Senate to direct Gonzales to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt.

“And thereafter, if the evidence warrants, to declare Congressman Neptali Gonzales guilty of contempt of court,” said the motion.

“Other relief, just or equitable under the circumstances, are likewise prayed for,” it said.

In seeking for contempt citation of Gonzales, the motion pointed out news reports where the lawmaker supposedly threatened to discipline or expel Congressmen Crispin Remulla, Hermilando Mandanas, and Tobias Tiangco should they testify before the Senate.

“The public utterances and pronouncements made by Gonzales were undeniably threats openly directed against the intentions of Rep. Tiangco to testify before the honorable impeachment court,” said the motion.

“Surely, the circumstances and occasion attending these threats by Majority Floor Leader Gonzales constitute an open attempt to thwart evidence being relied upon by CJ Corona in his defense,” it further said.

Gonzales’ statements,the motion said, confirmed that the threats of expulsion were regarded as a form of intimidation “calculated to induce Rep. Tiangco to refuse being sworn as a witness in the impeachment trial of Corona.”

Despite these alleged threats by Gonzales, Tiangco appeared and testified before the Senate Monday.