Aquino denies trying to influence senator-judges

INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III has denied trying to influence senator-judges in the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona but indicated that he still needed to speak with the lawmakers to push for the administration’s priority legislation such as the Sin Tax Reform Bill.

“There’s actually a mechanism called the [Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council]. There’s a sin tax [bill] that comes from the House. The Senate may concur or may amend for this to pass,” Aquino said in a radio interview in Malacañang.

“Can I just, while the impeachment trial is ongoing, rely on prayer for you to understand what we are trying to pursue with this bill that we submitted to you? I don’t think that would be right,” he added.

The President said he knew where to correctly place himself whenever he has to talk to lawmakers to push for certain bills.

“It doesn’t mean that just because there’s an impeachment trial, legislation of the laws we need would already stop,” Aquino said.