Defense, prosecution trade barbs over free services from lawyers

The defense and prosecution teams in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona on Monday traded barbs over the decision of both camps to accept free assistance from lawyers.   While Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III was announcing the entry of appearances of private prosecutors during the day's trial, lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas stood up and criticized the prosecution camp for adding more lawyers to their team.   “With this avalanche of private prosecutors, there may be a need for additional appropriations… This is our money, your honor,” Cuevas said.   The defense lawyer pointed out that the House of Representatives have already allocated P10 million from public funds to provide support to the prosecution team.   Deputy lead public prosecutor Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, however, stood up for the first time during the trial to defend the prosecution team, saying that all private lawyers in their camp appear in the trial “pro bono” (free of charge).   The lawmaker also hit back on the defense camp by pointing out that Corona is not allowed to accept free services from other lawyers, especially topnotch ones who are expensive to hire.   “Ang sinasabi lang namin bawal sa isang public official na tumanggap ng regalo na ang halaga ay napakalaki,” he said.   Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who presides over the trial, however said that Corona is entitled to choose any lawyer he wants, and that this matter is not relevant to the trial.   He also urged both camps to just consider the free services being rendered by the private lawyers as their way of offering public service. — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK/KG, GMA News