SOME senators have expressed fear that the Supreme Court decision to issue temporary restraining order on the issuance of subpoena on Chief Justice Renato Corona’s foreign currency bank accounts might become precedent in the near future especially with potential graft charges poised against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Arroyo might use the same stroke once the issue on their family’s alleged ill-gotten wealth is linked to charges against them.

The former president is currently facing poll fraud charges before the Pasay Regional Trial Court. Her husband, Mike Arroyo, on the other hand, is facing left and right charges of graft. One of these is acquisition of overpriced Philippine National Police (PNP) choppers.

“Iyan din ang aking pananaw. ’Pag sumunod kami sa isang TRO, lahat ng TRO susundin namin pati na ang final verdict. Malabo naman ’yun kung ganu’n. Tuluyan nang mawawalan ng power ang impeachment court,” a senator told People’s Tonight, who requested anonymity on the ground that members of the impeachment court will conduct a caucus on Monday to resolve if they will follow the SC-TRO or not.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said there is only one step behind to the constitutional crisis. He said all members of the impeachment court should decide whether they follow the SC-TRO or not.

However, Senator Judge Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan cautioned his colleagues in the impeachment court to be careful in issuing statements against the SC.

The senator said he respects the decision of the SC, saying it is the High Court’s duty to decide based on existing laws. This time, the Foreign Currency Act. “Hindi puwedeng i-consider (on precedent issue) dahil sila ang interpreter ng konstitusyon at ating mga batas,” Honasan told People’s Tonight.

On Monday’s caucus, the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, will deliberate on its next move with regard to the SC-TRO.

“Hahayaan o pagpipilitan (ang TRO)?” he added. 

He stressed that the TRO only applies to dollar accounts. “Sa dollar accounts lang naman ito.”

But he believes that these dollar accounts will have a bearing in the impeachment trial. “Kailangang ideklara sa SALN lahat. Dapat magtugma-tugma ang mga ending balance mula 2005 hanggang 2010.”

Honasan is more concerned what will happen after the impeachment trial. “Ayaw nating tanggalin ang co-equal branch (ng gobyerno). Pero nagkasakitan na, e.”

But Honasan is confident that the issue will be resolved, hoping that after the trial, the independence of co-equal branches of government will remain intact.