Cuevas gets stuck in traffic, arrives late for trial

MANILA, Philippines - Due to the gridlock caused by thousands of members of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) who held their evangelical mission at Quirino Grandstand in Manila, a majority of defense lawyers of Chief Justice Renato Corona, including lead counsel Serafin Cuevas, arrived late at impeachment proceedings yesterday in the Senate.

Defense lawyer Joel Bodegon notified the impeachment court at the start of trial that Cuevas, who is a member of the INC, was coming in late because he and a number of other lawyers were stuck in traffic.

“Hardly is the table for the defense filled. Most of our lawyers are stuck in traffic and our chief defense counsel is on his way,” Bodegon said.

At the start of the trial, only defense counsels Bodegon, Rico Paolo Quicho and Karen Jimeno were seated in the area designated for the defense panel inside the session hall.

Lawyer Ramon Esguerra said he was stuck in traffic for hours at the corner of Buendia and Makati avenues, prompting him to just go back to his office.

Bodegon requested for a one-hour break at the start of the impeachment proceedings yesterday since many of the lawyers were somewhere en route due to the big rally of the INC.

Instead of allowing for an hour suspension, the impeachment court moved to suspend the cross-examination of ABS-CBN cameraman Edmon Llosalla, and allowed other witnesses to be presented.

Presidential staff officer 6 Elinita Gatbonton of Malacañang records office, ABS-CBN cameraman Danilo Piedad and ABS-CBN librarian Rochelle Mendez took the witness stand during the 25th day of the impeachment trial.

Cuevas showed up at the session hall past 3 p.m. and apologized to the court. “May I extend my apologies to the entire court, your honor. I wanted to fly but I could not,” Cuevas explained.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the court understood the situation and allowed Cuevas to proceed with the cross-examination of new witnesses.