Palace describes as unfortunate Enrile's dismissal of prosecution witness
Malacañang on Wednesday described as unfortunate the decision of Senate President and impeachment trial presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile to dismiss some of the witnesses of the prosecution.
“It’s unfortunate that the Senate President has decided to disallow the reception for evidence with respect to Article III. But, as they say, the fight goes on,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing.
“So far we believe that the evidence as culled from Article II with respect to the bank accounts [and] with respect to the properties of the Chief Justice would be strong bases for the senators to rule on the impeachment,” he added.
Morevoer, he said it is unfortunate that being the lead prosecutor, Iloilo Rep Niel Tpas Jr, has to take all the brunt of the statements of the Senate President.
“But that is his role as lead prosecutor. He takes success as well as he takes the criticisms,” he added.
During the impeachment trial on Tuesday, Enrile repeatedly scolded House prosecutors and even prevented them from presenting a witness against impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The prosecution team attempted to present Philippine Airlines (PAL) vice president for sales Enrique Javier to prove that Corona and his wife allegedly received perks from the airline while it had cases pending before the Supreme Court.
But Enrile disallowed the presentation, saying Javier's testimony would be an attempt at "expanding" the coverage of the Articles of Impeachment.
“The public wanted to see if there were evidence to show that the Chief Justice did not have the integrity and so this was not shown yesterday (Tuesday). The public would have preferred that the evidence was presented and it would be up to the judges again to determine at the formal offer of evidence whether they are going to be accepted for whatever purpose they serve,” he said.
Asked if he had talked with President Benigno Aquino III about the development in the impeachment trial, Lacierda said Aquino opted to wait for the presentation of evidence on Article VII.
“Well, the President said… Well, it’s a decision of the Senate President so we just have to wait for the Article VII,” he said.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was set to testify in the impeachment trial Wednesday on Article VII regarding the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on the government’s watch list order against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. — LBG, GMA News
“It’s unfortunate that the Senate President has decided to disallow the reception for evidence with respect to Article III. But, as they say, the fight goes on,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing.
“So far we believe that the evidence as culled from Article II with respect to the bank accounts [and] with respect to the properties of the Chief Justice would be strong bases for the senators to rule on the impeachment,” he added.
Morevoer, he said it is unfortunate that being the lead prosecutor, Iloilo Rep Niel Tpas Jr, has to take all the brunt of the statements of the Senate President.
“But that is his role as lead prosecutor. He takes success as well as he takes the criticisms,” he added.
During the impeachment trial on Tuesday, Enrile repeatedly scolded House prosecutors and even prevented them from presenting a witness against impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The prosecution team attempted to present Philippine Airlines (PAL) vice president for sales Enrique Javier to prove that Corona and his wife allegedly received perks from the airline while it had cases pending before the Supreme Court.
But Enrile disallowed the presentation, saying Javier's testimony would be an attempt at "expanding" the coverage of the Articles of Impeachment.
“The public wanted to see if there were evidence to show that the Chief Justice did not have the integrity and so this was not shown yesterday (Tuesday). The public would have preferred that the evidence was presented and it would be up to the judges again to determine at the formal offer of evidence whether they are going to be accepted for whatever purpose they serve,” he said.
Asked if he had talked with President Benigno Aquino III about the development in the impeachment trial, Lacierda said Aquino opted to wait for the presentation of evidence on Article VII.
“Well, the President said… Well, it’s a decision of the Senate President so we just have to wait for the Article VII,” he said.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was set to testify in the impeachment trial Wednesday on Article VII regarding the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court on the government’s watch list order against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. — LBG, GMA News
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