SALN 'expert' to testify for Corona — lawyers
The counsel of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona is planning to present as witness an “expert” to testify that the chief magistrate did not violate the Constitution and pertinent laws in the submission of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
“We will present an expert who can tell the Senate that CJ Corona did not violate the Constitution and pertinent laws on SALN, and that his assets listed came from sources that are legitimate and that the values he used have legal basis,” said Atty. Ramon Esguerra, one of the spokespersons of the defense counsel, Sunday.
Esguerra, however, refused to identify the so-called expert, only saying that the witness would disprove the claims of the House prosecutors that Corona obtained properties and assets beyond his means. He also said the witness is not an employee of the Supreme Court, but an independent resource person with a reputation and credibility to protect.
Corona’s counsel met Sunday afternoon to finalize the list of witnesses that they would submit when the trial in the Senate, which is sitting as the impeachment court, resumes on Monday afternoon.
Second appearance
The defense panel said it intends to recall as its own witness SC clerk of court Atty. Enriqueta Vidal, who had earlier been called to the witness stand by the prosecution.
Esguerra said Vidal’s testimony as defense witness will be relative to the submission of Corona’s SALN, as well as on the issue of disclosure to the public of the SALN of justices and judges.
He noted that when the prosecution called Vidal as its witness, it did not delve much on the resolutions and guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court in the submission of the justices’ SALN. He alleged that this was to mislead the public into believing that there was intent on the part of the high court to hide Corona’s true income and assets.
In her first appearance before the Senate impeachment court, Vidal initially refused to release Corona’s SALN, saying she is bound by the high court’s rules on the disclosure of SALNs. She was, however, compelled to release Corona’s SALNs fromn 2002 to 2011 upon questioning by Sen. Franklin Drilon.
Substance, not numbers
Meanwhile, the defense said their list of witnesses will be "lean" compared to the 93 the House prosecutors are planning to present, but Esguerra said they are not bothered.
“Number alone does not amount to substance,” he said. “Again, sheer number of witnesses is unassuring of conviction. We cannot equate a hundred and even truthful witnesses to relevance, materiality, connection or admissibility.”
For his part, Atty. Tranquil Salvador III said the list of witnesses for the defense may be lean, but their testimonies will be substantial on the case.
“We are to decide based on importance, relevancy and quality of witnesses to be presented, meaning, they should only testify on matters which have a direct relation to the fact in issue. We do not want to overburden the impeachment court with unnecessary witnesses who will only prolong the trial,” he said.
Mediamen as witnesses?
Defense lawyers, however, objected to the prosecution’s plan to subpoena some members of the media to testify during the impeachment trial.
“Media has not always been for us but we are fine with that and we learn as we go along on how best we can bring our messages to the people so they can understand the Chief Justice. The media has a role to play in a democracy, no matter how the Defense feels about it and even if the Defense has been in the short end of it in getting favorable coverage. But we take exception to the proposed plan of the Prosecution,” said Atty. Rico Quicho, another spokesman of the defense panel. — KBK, GMA News
“We will present an expert who can tell the Senate that CJ Corona did not violate the Constitution and pertinent laws on SALN, and that his assets listed came from sources that are legitimate and that the values he used have legal basis,” said Atty. Ramon Esguerra, one of the spokespersons of the defense counsel, Sunday.
Esguerra, however, refused to identify the so-called expert, only saying that the witness would disprove the claims of the House prosecutors that Corona obtained properties and assets beyond his means. He also said the witness is not an employee of the Supreme Court, but an independent resource person with a reputation and credibility to protect.
Corona’s counsel met Sunday afternoon to finalize the list of witnesses that they would submit when the trial in the Senate, which is sitting as the impeachment court, resumes on Monday afternoon.
Second appearance
The defense panel said it intends to recall as its own witness SC clerk of court Atty. Enriqueta Vidal, who had earlier been called to the witness stand by the prosecution.
Esguerra said Vidal’s testimony as defense witness will be relative to the submission of Corona’s SALN, as well as on the issue of disclosure to the public of the SALN of justices and judges.
He noted that when the prosecution called Vidal as its witness, it did not delve much on the resolutions and guidelines prescribed by the Supreme Court in the submission of the justices’ SALN. He alleged that this was to mislead the public into believing that there was intent on the part of the high court to hide Corona’s true income and assets.
In her first appearance before the Senate impeachment court, Vidal initially refused to release Corona’s SALN, saying she is bound by the high court’s rules on the disclosure of SALNs. She was, however, compelled to release Corona’s SALNs fromn 2002 to 2011 upon questioning by Sen. Franklin Drilon.
Substance, not numbers
Meanwhile, the defense said their list of witnesses will be "lean" compared to the 93 the House prosecutors are planning to present, but Esguerra said they are not bothered.
“Number alone does not amount to substance,” he said. “Again, sheer number of witnesses is unassuring of conviction. We cannot equate a hundred and even truthful witnesses to relevance, materiality, connection or admissibility.”
For his part, Atty. Tranquil Salvador III said the list of witnesses for the defense may be lean, but their testimonies will be substantial on the case.
“We are to decide based on importance, relevancy and quality of witnesses to be presented, meaning, they should only testify on matters which have a direct relation to the fact in issue. We do not want to overburden the impeachment court with unnecessary witnesses who will only prolong the trial,” he said.
Mediamen as witnesses?
Defense lawyers, however, objected to the prosecution’s plan to subpoena some members of the media to testify during the impeachment trial.
“Media has not always been for us but we are fine with that and we learn as we go along on how best we can bring our messages to the people so they can understand the Chief Justice. The media has a role to play in a democracy, no matter how the Defense feels about it and even if the Defense has been in the short end of it in getting favorable coverage. But we take exception to the proposed plan of the Prosecution,” said Atty. Rico Quicho, another spokesman of the defense panel. — KBK, GMA News
We welcome healthy discussions and friendly debate! Please click Flag to alert us of a comment that may be abusive or threatening. Read our full comment policy here.
advertisement
Related Videos
advertisement
advertisement
