THE House prosecution panel must seriously consider amending the articles of impeachment and include “bribery” charges against beleaguered Chief Justice Renato Corona if they want to convince the Senate to allow them to present evidence against the chief magistrate concerning his alleged  partiality in deciding cases before the Supreme Court.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the impeachment court’s presiding officer, stressed that technicalities have nothing to do with his decision to prevent Enrique Javier, vice president for sales of Philippine Air Lines to testify against Corona under Article 3 of the complaint filed by the prosecutors before the Senate, sitting as impeachment court.

He stressed this point when Rep.Niel Tupas Jr., lead prosecutor, complained that the panel has been prevented to prove their point due to some technicalities. “This is not a technicality. The grounds of the impeachment are clearly stated in Article 11 of the Constitution. We are already very liberal (with the prosecution panel). Who are we to review the decision of the Supreme Court?  We will not allow it.”

“I would like to explain to the public that the discharge of the witness (Javier) is not the fault of this (impeachment) court. It is your fault or the way in presenting your case and allegations in your articles of impeachment,” Enrile said.

The prosecutors claimed that Corona had flip flopped on his voting on cases involving PAL and flight attendants because the Supreme Court head had been given privileges and perks by the national carrier, including a so-called Platinum card which gives its holder huge discounts on plane fares or even free tickets.

“You are going too far. Do you want me to lecture you more?” Enrile asked Tupas to which the latter meekly said: ”No more, your honor.” Enrile continued: “If you want to allege the receipt of gifts, of valuable things of the respondent (Corona) then amend your articles of impeachment because in effect you are alleging a crime which we will evaluate if it’s a high crime. You are in effect alleging that the respondent had been bribed to make that decision.”

The Senate chief even described as “trash” the evidence of the prosecution when it comes to Corona’s alleged lack of independence in relation to the PAL cases. “This evidence is nothing. Let it remain as a manifestation. It will be appreciated by the members of this (impeachment) court. We will discuss this in due time,” he said.

Addressing Tupas, Enrile said: “You know, Mr.Prosecutor, please we have been very lenient (with you). I tried to help you but there’s a limit. If your articles of impeachment are defective that is your responsibility. You made an allegation (against Corona) such as his lack of probity, integrity and independence. It is a conclusion of fact. And now you‘re offering a witness from paradise to prove (your complaint). I consider this as trash.”

“I’ m basing my ruling on your allegation. And if you’re going to insist, I will say, I will not change the rule. You want me to order you to amend your articles of impeachment and send it back to the House,” he asked Tupas in which the latter replied in the negative. 

“If you want to introduce (this evidence, you must) amend your articles of impeachment. This is the trouble with your articles of impeachment. You’re not very careful in your allegation and you want to expound it in the course of the trial. There is a limit to the patience of this court,” Enrile said.