Stop preempting Senate or withdraw case vs Corona, solons told

WHAT is the use of the Senate sitting as impeachment court if the prosecution panel would not refrain from presenting its evidence against Chief Justice Renato Corona ahead of the scheduled trial of the head of the High Tribunal? 

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile told the House prosecution panel to better “withdraw” the impeachment case it had filed before the Senate if it continues to reveal to the public its evidence against Corona since such move undermines the role of the Upper Chamber as impeachment court.

He deplored the recent move of Rep.Niel Tupaz, a member of the prosecution panel, in presenting to the public, through the media, documents pertaining to the alleged purchase of expensive condominium units by Corona in Taguig City which Tupaz said would prove that Corona failed to submit complete information regarding his properties in his SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth).

“Huwag namang lilitisin ‘yung kaso sa labas ng husgado. Kung gusto nila pag-usapan, you have to withdraw the Articles of Impeachment and then talk about it outside. Ano ang gagawin namin du’n eh isinisiwalat na nila ebidenisya sa buong mundo?,” Enrile stressed.

The Senate chief said that the senator-judges were not trying to suppress the presentation of evidence against Corona. “Hindi itinatago ‘yun pero sa panahon ng paglilitis, saka ilalabas iyon at ‘di sa media. If you're trying a person in public, bakit kailangan ng mga hukom?”

“Pakiusap ko lang, kung meron silang ebidensya, huwag naman nilang gagamitin sa labas. Kaya nga sila nag-file ng impeachment case para i-presente ang ebidensya. Kung gusto nilang litisin ang kaso sa labas ng impeachment court, i-withdraw nila ang kaso at isiwalat sa buong mundo ang gusto nilang ebidensiya,” he said in a phone interview.

He said if members of the prosecution panel would insist on presenting piecemeal evidence against Corona in public they could be cited in contempt. “Kapag nagpatuloy sila sa pag-present ng ebidensya contempt nga ‘yun. May power ang Senado to cite anybody from contempt.”

Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, meanwhile, dismissed the claim of Tupas that he was not tackling the merit of the case when he presented the deed of sale covering Corona’s purchase of the condominium unit worth P14 million. “Actually evidence na. Merits of the case, actually,” he said.  

Asked about the implication of the premature presentation of the evidence in public, Pimentel said: ”Well, that is for your (media) consumption. Kaming mga senator-judges dapat marunong kami na balewalain ‘yun, kalimutan lahat ng sinabi. So, dapat may discipline kami na kahit narinig namin ang statement na ‘yun, burahin namin sa isip namin ‘yun.”

“Unless it is formally presented as evidence before us, hindi namin dapat i-consider ‘yun. Discipline of the mind lang. Dapat kaya naming burahin ‘yung narinig namin, nabasa namin na hindi formally na-introduce sa impeachment trial. “I’m liberated. I’m not affected. Kaya kong i-disregard lahat ng narinig ko at nabasa ko,” he said.

Asked whether he would raise the matter when the impeachment court convenes on Jan.16, Enrile said: ”Hindi na. Pagsasabihan ko lang sila. Pero ‘di mo maiaalis na may mag-raise diyan. May magsasabi niyan sa hearing. Eh, anong gagawin natin diyan?”

Enrile reminded Tupaz that he is a complainant in the impeachment case against Corona. “Naiintindihan ba niya ang ginagawa niya? Andoon ang pangalan niya (sa complaint sheet). Ano ba ‘yun? Naiintidihan ba niya ang pagiging abogado at complainant?”

Asked further whether he agrees with the recommendation of Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III to admonish the prosecution panel for presenting their evidence prematurely, Enrile said: “Nasa Senado ‘yan.Hindi ko made-desisyunan ‘yan. Kaya iniiwasan ko magkaroon ng ganyan.”

He said there is no need to tell the prosecution panel to keep their mouths shut. “Dapat kung sila maginoo, abogado, alam nila ang proseso. If they are acting as politicians, iba iyon eh.”