FASAP head testifies vs Corona in impeachment trial
(Updated 9:56 p.m.) The prosecution on Tuesday presented the president of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) as its first witness on Article III of the impeachment case against Chief Justice Renato Corona.
FASAP president Roberto Anduiza testified about their 13-year-old labor case against the Philippine Airlines (PAL) that stemmed from the retrenchment of around 1,400 flight attendants in 1998.
Asked why he was testifying, Anduiza said: "Dahil sa pangingiialam ni chief justice sa pagbawi ng desisyon na naipanalo na namin."
In its original ruling in July 2008, the high court declared the retrenchment as illegal. In October 2009, the SC affirmed its decision when it junked PAL's motion for reconsideration.
But in October 2011, the Supreme Court reopened the case and recalled its ruling, pending a review of the case. FASAP members suspected that the series of letters sent by PAL lawyer Estelito Mendoza to the SC prompted the court to recall the decision.
The high court had already insisted that Mendoza's letters merely pointed out technicalities in the handling of the case.
Anduiza, during the day’s trial in the Senate, insisted the high court "acted" on Mendoza's letters without giving FASAP an opportunity to comment on the matter.
House prosecutor Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, during direct examination on Anduiza, noted in court that Mendoza wrote four times to the Supreme Court in connection with the FASAP case:
"Sa October 4 (recall order), nakalagay ang names ng nag-took no part. At wala siya (Corona) doon at iyon po ang kakaiba sa desisyon na iyon," Anduiza testified.
Article III of the impeachment complaint accuses Corona of committing “culpable violations of the Constitution” and betraying public trust “by failing to meet and observe the stringent standards” of a member of the judiciary.
Among the cases cited under the article is the “flip-flopping of the Corona Court on FASAP vs. PAL on a mere letter from Philippine Airlines’ counsel Atty. Estelito Mendoza.” - Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News
FASAP president Roberto Anduiza testified about their 13-year-old labor case against the Philippine Airlines (PAL) that stemmed from the retrenchment of around 1,400 flight attendants in 1998.
Asked why he was testifying, Anduiza said: "Dahil sa pangingiialam ni chief justice sa pagbawi ng desisyon na naipanalo na namin."
In its original ruling in July 2008, the high court declared the retrenchment as illegal. In October 2009, the SC affirmed its decision when it junked PAL's motion for reconsideration.
But in October 2011, the Supreme Court reopened the case and recalled its ruling, pending a review of the case. FASAP members suspected that the series of letters sent by PAL lawyer Estelito Mendoza to the SC prompted the court to recall the decision.
The high court had already insisted that Mendoza's letters merely pointed out technicalities in the handling of the case.
Anduiza, during the day’s trial in the Senate, insisted the high court "acted" on Mendoza's letters without giving FASAP an opportunity to comment on the matter.
House prosecutor Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, during direct examination on Anduiza, noted in court that Mendoza wrote four times to the Supreme Court in connection with the FASAP case:
- September 13, letter addressed to the SC clerk of court (copy furnished to Corona);
- September 16, letter addressed to the SC clerk of court;
- September 20, letter addressed to the SC clerk of court (copy furnished to Corona); and
- September 22, letter addressed to SC clerk of court (copy furnished to Corona and five other magistrates)
"Sa October 4 (recall order), nakalagay ang names ng nag-took no part. At wala siya (Corona) doon at iyon po ang kakaiba sa desisyon na iyon," Anduiza testified.
Article III of the impeachment complaint accuses Corona of committing “culpable violations of the Constitution” and betraying public trust “by failing to meet and observe the stringent standards” of a member of the judiciary.
Among the cases cited under the article is the “flip-flopping of the Corona Court on FASAP vs. PAL on a mere letter from Philippine Airlines’ counsel Atty. Estelito Mendoza.” - Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News
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