SC asked to stop impeachment court from issuing subpoenas on Corona's bank records

Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) filed [a petition seeking for] a temporary restraining order with the Supreme Court early on Wednesday to clarify provisions under Republic Act 6426 or the Foreign Currency Deposit Act of the Philippines.   This after the impeachment court granted the request of the prosecution panel to subpoena Chief Justice Renato Corona's bank records.  But PSBank clarified it "will still appear in the Senate impeachment court as directed," it said in a statement. After PSBank filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment court from issuing supoenas on Corona's bank record, the defense camp denied any hand in the bank's move. "Hindi po namin kinausap ang PSBank... Hindi natin kaya itulak ang mga taong gawin ang gusto nilang gawin," said defense lawyer and spokesman Tranquil Salvador III in a press conference at the Senate. Salvador said the bank's move should serve as a reminder to the impeachment court and the prosecution to be more careful in dealing with a person's bank records. "Kung nagre-react ang isang bangko, siguro dapat mag-isip tayo... Can we just pause and think kung ano ba talaga gusto natin gawin?" the lawyer added. In its petition for certiorari and prohibition, the PSBank said the impeachment court committed "grave abuse of discretion" when it granted the prosecution's request to open Corona's bank accounts. The prosecution earlier alleged that corona has at least five foreign deposit accounts with the PSBank, which allegedly contain ill-gotten wealth. The defense earlier moved to quash the subpoena on the bank accounts, noting that the Senate had earlier ruled that no evidence should be presented in connection with Paragraph 2.4 of Article II of the impeachment complaint, which is about Corona’s alleged ill-gotten wealth. As for the supposed dollar bank accounts of Corona with the PSBank, which the prosecution also wants examined, the defense said they should be kept confidential as prescribed under Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6426, which disallows the opening of foreign currency deposits (FCD) unless with a written permission from the depositor. — Mark D. Merueñas /LBG, GMA News