Palace spokesperson: Not all witnesses on prosecution list may testify
Not all the more than 90 people listed as potential witnesses by the prosecution in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona may actually testify, Malacañang said Saturday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also allayed concerns the list of 90-plus witnesses the prosecution panel submitted Friday would further delay the trial.
“From what I understand, the list was in compliance with the order of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Miriam Santiago. It is up to the prosecution to decide who they will actually call to the witness stand. Being on the list does not automatically mean the prosecution will ask you to testify,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.
On Friday, the prosecution panel submitted more than 90 names on its list of witnesses for the ongoing impeachment trial.
Valte, a lawyer, said it is part of the ordinary proceedings that the prosecution panel will be asked to list down all witnesses they plan to summon.
“Hindi naman makakasakit kung ilalagay lahat and in the future di tatawagin," she said.
“Like you, kami nanonood lang at tinitingnan kung anong gagawin. Ang expectation namin sa pag-resume ng trial sa Lunes mailabas lahat na evidence at allegation at mapatunayan sa impeachment court," she added.
Meanwhile, Valte said the Palace is still leaving to the House prosecution team how to handle the case.
“A lot of people think this is the handiwork of the executive. We would leave it to the House panel of prosecutors. Sila ang representante ng taumbayan. alam nila ang kaso alam nila ang gagawin (They represent the people, they know the case, they know what to do),” she said when asked if the Palace is giving guidance to the House panel.
She also said it is up to the House panel if it wants to amend its complaint to include allegations of ill-gotten wealth against Corona.
Valte was referring to Enrile’s claim that the articles of impeachment should be amended if the House panel wants to present its supposed evidence on the matter.
She also insisted the prosecution may have already proven it anyway when it showed Corona had properties not reflected in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
“Whether you agree with their style or not they have been able to reveal evidence they want to present in the trial,” she said.
Palace disowns ‘text brigades’
Valte disowned supposed text messages that reportedly criticized Corona and Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez.
“Rest assured we do not operate that way. When we send messages to the media we do so through our personal phone numbers. We do not resort to messages like that from unnamed recipients. If and when we make statements we do it officially,” she said.
Valte also twitted the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) over a report quoting its officials as saying the prosecution was unable to prove Corona’s ill-gotten wealth.
She said the evidence shown in the trial so far showed Corona had properties not in his SALN.
“One thing I can say, I am a member in good standing. (A)s a member of the IBP also, I will say that the views propounded by the IBP leadership are not mine. I know a lot of IBP members who do not subscribe to views propounded by IBP leaders,” she said.
“Do they come up with it on their own, do they consult their members? Certainly, I have not been consulted,” she added. — LBG, GMA News
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also allayed concerns the list of 90-plus witnesses the prosecution panel submitted Friday would further delay the trial.
“From what I understand, the list was in compliance with the order of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Miriam Santiago. It is up to the prosecution to decide who they will actually call to the witness stand. Being on the list does not automatically mean the prosecution will ask you to testify,” she said on government-run dzRB radio.
On Friday, the prosecution panel submitted more than 90 names on its list of witnesses for the ongoing impeachment trial.
Valte, a lawyer, said it is part of the ordinary proceedings that the prosecution panel will be asked to list down all witnesses they plan to summon.
“Hindi naman makakasakit kung ilalagay lahat and in the future di tatawagin," she said.
“Like you, kami nanonood lang at tinitingnan kung anong gagawin. Ang expectation namin sa pag-resume ng trial sa Lunes mailabas lahat na evidence at allegation at mapatunayan sa impeachment court," she added.
Meanwhile, Valte said the Palace is still leaving to the House prosecution team how to handle the case.
“A lot of people think this is the handiwork of the executive. We would leave it to the House panel of prosecutors. Sila ang representante ng taumbayan. alam nila ang kaso alam nila ang gagawin (They represent the people, they know the case, they know what to do),” she said when asked if the Palace is giving guidance to the House panel.
She also said it is up to the House panel if it wants to amend its complaint to include allegations of ill-gotten wealth against Corona.
Valte was referring to Enrile’s claim that the articles of impeachment should be amended if the House panel wants to present its supposed evidence on the matter.
She also insisted the prosecution may have already proven it anyway when it showed Corona had properties not reflected in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
“Whether you agree with their style or not they have been able to reveal evidence they want to present in the trial,” she said.
Palace disowns ‘text brigades’
Valte disowned supposed text messages that reportedly criticized Corona and Supreme Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez.
“Rest assured we do not operate that way. When we send messages to the media we do so through our personal phone numbers. We do not resort to messages like that from unnamed recipients. If and when we make statements we do it officially,” she said.
Valte also twitted the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) over a report quoting its officials as saying the prosecution was unable to prove Corona’s ill-gotten wealth.
She said the evidence shown in the trial so far showed Corona had properties not in his SALN.
“One thing I can say, I am a member in good standing. (A)s a member of the IBP also, I will say that the views propounded by the IBP leadership are not mine. I know a lot of IBP members who do not subscribe to views propounded by IBP leaders,” she said.
“Do they come up with it on their own, do they consult their members? Certainly, I have not been consulted,” she added. — LBG, GMA News
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