'Coronavela' unfolds
The Senate resumes its regular session for the first time this year and keeps its date with history as it convenes into an impeachment court for the trial of the Chief Justice before live cameras transmitting the drama to over 90 million Filipinos here and abroad.
Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, put on trial by the House of Representatives on eight articles of impeachment, is not expected to appear when the impeachment proceedings begin Monday at the Senate at 2 p.m. Instead, Corona’s battery of top lawyers will go head-on with the House’s 11-man prosecution panel aided by 59 private prosecutors.
To be covered live by major television networks, the courtroom drama is shaping up to be a “Coronavela,” a loose reference that takes after the term “Koreanovela” as drama seriesfrenzy Filipinos are expected to tune in to the live broadcast of the trial.
“We will be discussing some of the items in the agenda of the impeachment court which will be convened at 2 p.m.,” said Sotto of the caucus called by Enrile.
Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, spokesman for the House prosecution panel, said 59 private lawyers who offered their legal services will assist them in their bid to prove the eight Articles of Impeachment against Corona.
“It’s like a David and Goliath fight. We have lawyers from various human rights and cause-oriented groups and they will be pitted against the Chief Justice’s lawyers from big law firms who are extending legal aid to multi-national companies and rich people,” Angara said.
Among Corona’s noted lawyers are former Justice Sec. Serafin Cuevas, former Ateneo College of law Dean Eduardo de los Angeles, former Court of Appeals Justice Hector Hofileña, and former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Law Dean Jose “Judd” Roy III, among others.
“We have done all the preparations we could considering the circumstances as well as the shortness of time provided. We are ready to face the formidable legal counsel of Chief Justice Corona,” said Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, another spokesman for the prosecution.
On the side of the prosecution, the private lawyers include former newsman, Atty. Romel Bagares, and veteran litigation lawyer, Mario Bautista.
The list also includes lawyers Arjay Peralta, Marlon Manuel, Magis Mendoza, Joeven Dellosa, Reagan De Guzman, Levy Ang, Jan Perry Eugenio, Peter Leo Mendiola, Marl Chester Ti, Jane Laarni Pichay, Esteban Mendoza, Gilbert Viloria, Conrado R. Sarmiento, Michelle Ann G. Erum, Pedro Aquino, Mario Valderrama, Jenny Vi Buslig, Henedino Brondial, Rex G. Rico, Renato C. Samonte, Jr., Jose Luis Rey S. Munsayac, Michael M. Manuel, Max Banares, Jr., Michael P. Millares, Ariel Radovan, Harry Roque, Jr., Joel R. Butuyan, Roger R. Rayel, Dexter Donne B. Dizon, Allan Jones F. Lardizabal, Gilbert T. Andres, Federico C. Roxas II, Norma Singson-De Leon, Claro L. Mamaril, Vitaliano Aguirre II, Arthur D. Lim , Augusto Panlilio, Jose Justiniano, Gregorio Batiller, Winston M. Ginez, Xerxes E. Cortel, Clarence B. Jandoc, John P. Roldan, Frederick F. Vallestero, Ernesto Viovicente, Vanessa Maguigad, Jovenio Evangelista, Cristina Yambot, Al Parreno, Emil Capulong, Cheryl Daytec, Janne Baterna, Ramon Te, Bodie Naval, Rosario Bautista, Lauro Gacayan, Reynaldo Agranzamendez and Aristotle Batuhan.
Sotto said a caucus is necessary to expedite the proceedings.
He said the impeachment court will take up motions such as Corona’s bid to cite members of the prosecution team for contempt for disclosing pieces of evidence before the actual start of the trial.
Sotto said senator-judges will resolve each of the motions filed by both camps including the Corona’s appeal for a preliminary hearing to determine the legality of the impeachment complaint and the prosecution panel’s appeal to junk Corona’s pleadings.
“The Senate impeachment court will always act as one. The procedures will always be that the Senate President rules. If the Senate President’s ruling would not be in conformity with the members of the Senate, we can move to vote,” Sotto said.
Also to be taken up would be the motion to summon House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and five other members of the Lower House to explain how the Lower House managed to gather 188 signatures on the verified complaint which led to his impeachment in December last year.
The Senate also clarified that it is not stopping the embattled Chief Justice from attending the trial even if by impeachment rules he is not required to personally appear during the proceedings.
For its part, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) expressed its prayerful hope for a fair trial and credible outcome as the impeachment trial.
IBP President Roan Libarios said in a press briefing at the IBP Headquarters in Ortigas, Pasig City that although there is no dispute to the fact that the impeachment trial is both a political and constitutional process, political partnership and considerations have no place in the impeachment trial.
The IBP explained that such a guarantee is stated in the Senate’s own Rules on Impeachment that states that as an impeachment court, senators who will act as judges during the impeachment trial should observe political neutrality.
Earlier, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano reminded his colleagues that the Senate is also “under the spotlight” and is also “on trial.”
Congress needs 16 votes or two-thirds vote to convict Corona of the eight articles of impeachment he is facing.
Sotto said he doesn’t see anything wrong with Malacanang and or President Aquino’s allies personally helping out with further evidence to prove Corona’s guilt stressing that “what happens outside the impeachment court is none of my business.”
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it is pleased that Corona holds no personal grudge against President Benigno S. Aquino III amid the administration’s efforts to impeach him.
Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the President has actually clarified that he has nothing personal against Corona when he endorsed his impeachment late last year.
Corona earlier disclosed there was no reason to bear a grudge or take revenge against President Aquino and his allies who voted to impeach him, saying he has forgiven them.
Several lawmakers, led by Quezon Representative and prosecution team spokesman Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III, are still hoping that the Chief Magistrate will step down from his post and save the country of the inconvenience of undergoing such grueling process.
Catholic Church leaders urged the public to monitor the impeachment trial to know whether or not the accusations against Corona are true.
The Muslim community also perceives the trial as important to the search for justice in the country .
Former congressman Macabangkit Lanto described the process as “the highest form of search for accountability and justice” similar to Muslims’ yearning for justice. (With reports from Leslie Ann G. Aquino, Charissa M. Luci, Genalyn D. Kabiling, Francis T. Wakefield, Leonard D. Postrado, and Edd K. Usman)
By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
mb.com.ph
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