SENATOR Franklin Drilon yesterday defended himself against the allegation that he was helping the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Corona's defense counsels were reported seriously studying the possibility to seek Drilon's inhibition, as senator-judge in the impeachment trial, due to his perceived bias toward the members of the prosecution, most of whom are fellow Liberal partymates.

"Ang inhibition is addressed to the person of the judge. Huwes din ang magpapasya kung may sapat na basehan ang (motion for) inhibition," Drilon said.

Drilon had managed to "force" Enriqueta Vidal, the High Tribunal's clerk of court, to surrender to the Impeachment Court Corona's Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) from 2002 to 2010 -- all of which had been subpoenaed by the senator-judges.

"Walang basehan (ang akusasyon) Kung titingnan nila 'yung transcript ang ang tanong ko: Dahilan po ba Atty.Vidal na wala kayong pahintulot sa Korte Suprema kaya hindi n'yo dinala ang SALN ni Chief Justice Corona? Nagulat ako sinabi n'ya, Dala ko po."

"Eh kaya sinabi ng Senate President (Enrile) na ilabas na (ang SALN ni Corona). Sa katunayan, 'yung tanong ko hindi para sa prosecution kundi para sa impeachment court.

“Hindi p'wede sabihin ng defense (panel) na biased (ako para sa prosecution), dahil sila mismo minarkahan nila na ebidensya din nila 'yung SALN ni Chief Justice Corona," he said in television interivew.

Asked to comment on some observation that it was his manner of asking the witnesses for the prosecution that gave the "impression" that he was aiding Corona's accusers, Drilon said:"Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng paraan ang hinahanap nila. Anong paraan ba dapat?"

"Wala naman standard na nakalagay sa aming rules (of impeachment). Nakalagay lang all that is required of the judges is to observe political neutrality. Ibig sabihin 'di p'wedeng mangibabaw ang affiliation sa isang political party doon sa aming proceedings," he said.

He added: "Iyan ang impression ng mga taong nasa labas na 'di kasama sa impeachment court. Pwedeng magtanong ang huwes ng anumang tanong na makakapagpalinaw ng kaso."

Malacañang defended Drilon against his critics.

Presidential Spokesperson  Edwin Lacierda told Palace reporters that under the rules of the Senate, the Senate impeachment court cannot compel someone to inhibit himself.

“The decision to inhibit oneself is personal,” Lacierda stressed.

Lacierda also said he could not understand why the defense is asking Drilon to inhibit, citing that judges in regular courts can pose questions to witnesses. 

“Senator Drilon and all the other senators are helping the people, are helping this court to ferret out the truth. That is the primordial consideration. That is the primary duty, to come out and search for the truth,” Lacierda told Palace  reporters.

He said Drilon is not covering for the prosecutors. “Walang kakulangan ang prosecution.”    

Two prosecutors described as a desperate move the call of the defense panel of Chief Justice Corona for Drilon to inhibit from the impeachment trial for allegedly showing partiality.

Lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. and Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said the defense move is still part of the delaying tactics and an attempt to divert the attention of the people from the real issue of non-disclosure by Corona of his SALN.

“The move to seek Drilon’s inhibition is a desperate act from the defense as we start presenting our evidence to prove the Chief Justice amassed ill gotten wealth,” Tupas said.

The prosecution group defended and lauded Drilon for “cross examining” the witnesses.

Tupas said the move of the defense panel only shows that Corona is afraid the truth would come out.

“Is the defense so afraid for the truth to come out? Why are they hiding behind technicalities,” Tupas added.

Colmenares meanwhile said Corona’s call for Drilon to inhibit is meant to put a chilling effect on the senator-judges.     With Emontano, Jester P. Manalastas