Corona walks out of impeachment trial, Enrile orders Senate lockdown

(Updated 5:50 p.m.) Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ordered a lockdown of the Senate building in Pasay City after Chief Justice Renato Corona walked out and asked to be “excused” even though he had not yet been discharged from the witness stand at his own impeachment trial.

 

“Isara niyo ‘yung pinto,” Enrile ordered Senate security after Corona suddenly left the trial hall at 5:07 p.m. after giving his opening statement.

 

“Nobody can get out of this Senate. I order all the doors closed. I don’t want any defiance of the powers of this impeachment court,” the Senate President said. After Corona wrapped up his lengthy opening statement that included a PowerPoint presentation, he said, "And now the chief justice of the Republic of the Philippines wishes to be excused," before rising and briskly walking out of the session hall followed by his wife Cristina.  It was not immediately clear why Corona left the Senate hall without waiting to be discharged, in accordance with trial rules. A report from GMA News TV said the magistrate complained of dizziness and had to take medication. He was later reported to have suffered a hypoglycemic episode, or low blood-sugar. Corona is a diabetic.   As Corona was leaving the session hall, Enrile called out and asked him to give due respect to the impeachment court, in the same way that the senator-judges had given him courtesy throughout his opening statement that lasted for more than two hours.