Corona lawyers happy with Senate ruling

MANILA, Philippines – Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona's lawyers were "very happy" with the result of the second day of the impeachment trial, with senator-judges denying the prosecutors' request to subpoena their client and his family.

Lawyer Karen Jimeno, defense panel spokesperson, said the ruling of presiding judge and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile was clear – Corona and his family could not be called to take the witness stand.

"Klarong-klaro na may basehan ang ruling ng Senate President," Jimeno said after the Senate court voted 14-6 in favor of sustaining Enrile’s decision not to summon Corona, his wife and children and son in law to the impeachment court.

She also said that tackling the Article 2 of the impeachment complaint first before Article 1 would not help at all both the public and the Senate Court.

"Sa amin lang, nalilito ang defense at senator judges din...hindi ito nakakatulong sa pag-aaral nila sa articles of impeachment as judges...baka masayang lang ang oras ng impeachment court," Jimeno said.

This after House prosecution member, Dasmarinas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, told the impeachment court that they are not ready to present their case for Article 1 which, pertains to the Corona's alleged “midnight appointment”.

For his part, lawyer Tranquil Salvador III, another Corona's spokesperson, said they have to contend with the realities of the trial, with the prosecution not being prepared with the case.

"Sa Article 1, hindi sila prepared... kahit kaninong abogado maaring mangyari ito. Ito ang realities ng isang trial," Salvador said.

The impeachment court proceedings have been adjourned until tomorrow.