Senators agree to end Corona trial May 31

Chief Justice Renato Corona PHOTO BY RICHARD REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Senators, sitting as judges in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona, agreed to end the proceedings on May 31.

The consensus was reached after a caucus of senators held ahead of the 2:00 p.m. resumption of the trial this Monday.

“Gusto namin matapos ito [We want to finish this]. We will not go beyond the 31st of May,” Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile told reporters after the caucus.

A senator, who attended the caucus but spoke on condition of anonymity, said they agreed to end the trial on May 31, 2012, “finish or not finish.”

This means, the senator said that the Senate would render its judgment on or before May 31.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who was also present at the caucus, confirmed this but said Enrile has yet to present this intention to both the prosecution and defense panels.

“The Senate President will inform both panels that it’s the intention to finish the impeachment on May 30, “ Trillanes said over the phone.

Asked why the Senate would have wanted the impeachment trial finish a week before the June 7 adjournment of Congress, Trillanes said, “There are many pending legislation. At least, we will have that final week to focus on legislation.”