THE Supreme Court junked petitions by the House prosecution panel and the impeachment court to scrutinize pending or even resolved cases filed before it which are considered pertinent to the impeachment cases lodged against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

In a per curiam (anonymous) ruling, the High Court explained that the denial of the requests to disclose certain court records was in consonance with the principle of separation of powers, and protection of privileged and confidential documents and processes.

The SC pointed out its Internal Rules prohibit the disclosure by justices as well as court officials and employees of the result of the raffled cases; the actions taken by the Court on each case included in the agenda of the Court’s session; and the deliberations of the members in court sessions on cases and matters pending before it.

The high bench came up with the ruling as it junked the request of the House prosecution panel to examine the “rollo” or records of the case involving the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the  Philippines (FASAP) against Philippine Airlines (PAL).

The SC stressed the case is still pending decision.

Aside from the PAL case, the SC turned down the request of House prosecutors to examine the records of the Dinagat Island case.

While the Dinagat case is already resolved, its records contain privileged and confidential information.

Also turned down was the House request for the examination of the records of the petition filed by former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez questioning the House impeachment procedures against her as they contain materials that are covered by privilege or considered confidential.

It also denied the request of the House prosecution panel to scrutinize the records of the case pertaining to the League of Cities v. Commission on Elections since it is still a pending case.

“The Court states at the outset that this resolution is issued not to favor or prejudice the Chief Justice whose impeachment gave rise to the letters and the subpoenas under consideration,  but to simply consider the requests and the subpoenas in light of what the Constitution, the laws and our rules and policies mandate and allow,” the SC said.

On the subpoena issued by the Senate impeachment court directing Clerk of Court Enriqueta Vidal and Deputy Clerk of Court Felipa Anama to appear before it and present several documents, including the letters of former Solicitor General and now Lucio Tan’s lawyer Estelito Mendoza in connection with FASAP case was also denied.

“The Court cannot as well waive the privileges attendant to the proposed testimony of Clerk of Court Enriqueta E. Vidal and of the other Court officials and employees on matters covered by privilege and confidentiality.”