Palace to accept senator-judges’ verdict on Corona

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—On the eve of the Senate impeachment court’s vote on the fate of Chief Justice Renato Corona, Malacañang said it was prepared to accept the court’s verdict.

“We are as ready as we will ever be for whatever verdict that is coming out,” Abigail Valte, one of President Aquino’s spokespersons told reporters on Monday.

Valte said the Palace respects the Senate impeachment court and will defer to the verdict of the senator-judges.

But Valte insisted that the prosecution has been able to present a strong case against Corona. “Based on the evidence and the admissions that have been given, it is a strong case,” she said.

She said the President continues to believe that the case against Corona was strong.

Aquino, according to Valte, has a busy schedule on Monday afternoon and was not expected to have time to watch the closing arguments of the prosecution and defense teams.

The Senate impeachment court is expected to decide whether to convict or acquit Corona on Tuesday, almost five months after it started to hear his impeachment case.