Senate nixes prosecution motion to stop De Lima return in Corona trial

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has rejected a motion by the prosecution against the defense’s move to call back Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“The motion to quash is denied,” Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, who presides over the trial, said at the resumption of the proceeding on Monday.

Enrile then directed the defense team to confer with De Lima to determine the date and time of her appearance in the trial.

Before taking a month-long break last March 22, the Senate issued a supoena to the Justice Secretary, directing her to make an appearance.

While she expressed her willingness to return to the Senate, De Lima, in a letter to the Senate, said her testimony had been covered when she first testified for the prosecution team.