One year trial?

After telling Senator Miriam D. Santiago that they will present 25 witnesses, Cong. Niel Tupas Jr. has now announced a list of 100 witnesses for the prosecution. It took seven trial days to present 4 witnesses. At that rate, it will take 7-8 months for the prosecution to complete its case.

Thirteen Supreme Court Justices, SC Administrator Midas Marquez, Secretary Leila de Lima, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, journalists Maritess Vitug, Raisa Robles, Donna Pazibugan, Ina Reformina, Lea Mañalac, Marlon Ramos, Zen Hernandez, Mark Merenuas, Fasap president Roberto Anduiza, Lauro Vizconde, Harry Roque, 3 former Supreme Court Justices and COA auditors are on the list. Even the attendant in the SC en banc room is listed.

Former Minority Leader Edcel Lagman opposed the calling of Supreme Court Justices to testify at the Corona trial saying “it will inordinately wreck the Supreme Court”.

Defense Counsel Ramon Esguerra said that the doctrine of judicial privilege protects Supreme Court Justices from being summoned to testify in court.

The Impeachment Court will probably not approve the entire list but, even if only 50% or 50 witnesses are allowed, that should take about 4 months to present.

After which the defense will not only cross examine but, it will take its turn to present its case which could take at least 4-6 months also.

Factor in the recesses of the Senate including a 6-week Holy Week recess and a 6-week June to July annual recess, the trial can take the whole of 2012.

It looks like the prosecution is on a grand fishing exhibition.

Prosecution spokesperson Cong. Erin Tañada claims that the list of 100 witnesses shows that their case is strong.

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DANGEROUS TENDENCIES. . . The Corona impeachment trial is raising several policy questions which pose dangers to citizens.

Firstly, the release of SALN and the release of income tax returns (ITR) to justify a tax evasion charge pose a real danger to 1.5 million government officers and employees of being harassed by the powers that be.

Secondly, a highly partisan President can use his power to release income tax returns to harass businessmen who did not support his election or his present policies.

And as Sen. Joker Arroyo pointed out, that while Chief Justice Corona is under trial, BIR Comm. Kim Henares is conducting a simultaneous investigation of his tax returns. Pursuant to its logical conclusion, supposing Comm. Henares now files a tax evasion case against Chief Justice Corona or his wife, Cristina or his daughters and son-in-law while the impeachment trial is ongoing, wouldn’t that be prejudging and preempting the impeachment court? BIR should hold off tax investigations of the Coronas until after the impeachment case is decided.

Then you have the prosecution including bank officials in its list of witnesses. The impeachment trial is not a criminal proceeding. If bank officials are directed to release bank records, that’s a violation of the spirit of the bank secrecy law.

Asking print and broadcast journalists to testify against Corona is certainly out of order and violates the freedom of the press. It will certainly make journalists hesitate on reporting their stories.

The prosecution and the Administration are throwing all caution to the wind. They may have unwittingly instilled fear in ordinary citizens and journalists that they are in danger of being prosecuted by the Administration.

This will be doubly so if BIR Comm. Kim Henares implements her circular requiring private citizens to file SALN.

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FINALLY. . . The President is preparing an Executive Order creating the National Water Resource Management Council to replace the National Water Resources Board.

The Council will have the President himself as Chairman and an Executive Director with the rank of Secretary.

This column has called attention to the serious problem of water ranging from lack of water in many areas to excessive water and flooding in some areas.

There is need also to reform the Local Water Utilities Administration.

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MAKATI BOMB BLAST. . . A powerful bomb exploded in a vacant lot in Makati. President Aquino ordered an investigation but so far, no one has been arrested.

Noel Ramores, 79, an LTO technician was shot dead by motorcycle gunmen in Marikina again, and right inside his house. Ramores heard knocking on his front door. As soon as he opened it, they blasted him with 7 .45 caliber shots. He died on the spot.

Rafael Ignacio, 29, a police informer was shot dead in front of a police station in Caloocan City. What impunity!

Abegail Arguelles, a 16-year-old high school student was raped and then killed in Antipolo City.

Cristina Bruan Rojas, 51, a gasoline station owner was shot dead in Malolos City only 100 meters from a police station.

Pastor Angelito Gutierrez, 53, of the Jesus is Lord Movement was shot dead in front of his chapel in Caloocan City.

NPA rebels burned down a Manila bound Silver Star bus in Legaspi City.

Crime goes on unchecked.

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TIDBITS. . . Legal wife Alicia Morales Arroyo is fighting common-law-wife of several years Grace Ibuna for control of legal husband’s Iggy Arroyo’s body and burial. Legal wife Alicia flies to London to claim the body with common-law-wife still in London asking a daughter of Iggy by a first wife to take care of the arrangements. Legal wife Alicia wants the wake at the La Vista home and bars common-law-wife from attending the wake. Note that legal wife threw out legal husband out of their conjugal household years ago.

Roman and Shalani Romulo are now in Rome and Paris.

Birthday greetings to movie-TV actress Boots Anson-Roa.

Greetings to avid readers Bishop Florentino Cinense, Cong. Sonny Angara, Dr. Julius Magno, Melvin Calata of Plaridel, Mary Ann Robles, Eric Torres of Tarlac and Stephen Arapoc of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur on his 40th birthday.