Trial takes toll on bank manager

MANILA, Philippines - From “beautiful” to “very haggard.” That’s what Sen. Lito Lapid thinks the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona has done to Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) Katipunan branch manager Annabelle Tiongson.

Yesterday Tiongson, who started out as a constantly smiling witness, nursed a sore throat.

Under scrutiny by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile about the persons who have access to the vault that kept confidential documents pertaining to accounts of their clients, including Corona’s alleged dollar deposits, Tiongson said she could not speak well and clearly state her testimony because of a sore throat.

“I will consider you a nervous witness if you will not speak clearly. Don’t be nervous and speak clearly so that I will understand you,” Enrile told Tiongson.

“I have sore throat, your honor,” Tiongson answered.

Sen. Lito Lapid, who seldom asks questions in the ongoing impeachment trial, could not resist stepping up and speak.

But before questioning the witness, Lapid said that Tiongson had transformed from a “smiling” witness into a “haggard face.”

Tiongson has testified four times since the start of the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice.

“The vaults in the bank have cameras, right?” Lapid asked Tiongson.

“Outside, your honor. But inside, there is none,” Tiongson answered Lapid.

“One more question. Are you tired now?” Lapid continued.

“I’m okay. But my voice is already tired,” Tiongson said.

“(BPI Ayala branch manager) Mrs. (Leonora) Dizon has already given birth,” Lapid told Tiongson, referring to another witness of the prosecution.

“During your first day of testimony, you always laughed and you were so beautiful. But now, you look very haggard. I hope you will immediately answer. Just one question. Were the documents shown to you by Congressman (Reynaldo) Umali fake or not?” Lapid said.       

“It was different from our records, your honor. It was different from the original,” Tiongson said.

“One more question. Just yes or no. What about (Congressman Jorge Bolet) Banal? Was it you who gave it to him?” Lapid said.

“No. I did not. It was (a) different (person),” Tiongson said.

“Okay. That’s all. You might cry. Okay, thank you,” Lapid then told Tiongson.