Corona brought to hospital for ‘routine medical checkup’ — lawyer

Chief Justice Renato Corona is flanked by security as he sits on a wheelchair after experiencing dizziness due to a drop in his blood sugar. Corona testified before the Senate Tuesday, May 22, 2012 to debunk allegations that he misdeclared his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs). RICHARD A. REYES/Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Renato Corona was taken to the Medical City in Pasig City “for a routine medical checkup,” after he was wheeled out of the Senate following his testimony at his impeachment trial on Tuesday, one of his lawyers, Rico Paolo Quicho, said.

He was brought to the hospital immediately, Quicho said.

“I can tell you honestly that what happened [at the Senate] to the Chief Justice was no drama,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Corona suddenly stood up and left the Senate plenary hall after telling the impeachment court “May I be excused?” at the end of his testimony on Tuesday. This drew a stern warning from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, presiding officer of the impeachment court, that the court would strike out all of Corona’s testimony and rule on his impeachment based on the evidence on record if it turned out that he was walking out.

Corona’s lawyers told the court the Chief Justice’s blood sugar suddenly dropped and he immediately left the impeachment court to avoid fainting inside the Senate plenary hall.

Enrile ordered defense lawyers to present Corona for cross-examination on Wednesday. With a report from Matikas Santos, INQUIRER.net