Corona to testify in his impeachment trial on May 22

Enrile initially directed the defense to present Corona on Monday, but one of the magistrate's lawyers pleaded for more time.

 

"While we would like to give our best, but the sheer number [of documents we have to review] is awesome," said defense lawyer Jose "Judd" Roy III.

 

Roy also noted that senators are scheduled to hold a caucus on Monday, but Enrile insisted the caucus will not affect the defense's preparation anyway and that Corona's lawyers will have an entire weekend to prepare.

 

Roy insisted that the defense be allowed to present Corona on Tuesday instead.

 

"So that you would not think we are biased against him, granted. But there will be no more postponement," Enrile said. "If we have no witness on Monday so logically we will resume the hearings on Tuesday at the request of the defense, at which time it is the chief justice that will be their witness," Enrile added.   Lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas thanked Enrile. "We are heavily grateful for the liberality and magnanimity of the court," he said.   Enrile, however, said he should not thank them because they are "doing this in the interest of justice." The last defense witness   According to Cuevas, Corona will be the last witness to be presented by the defense panel.   "Since we have no other witness in connection with the issue being tackled by this honorable court and we have foregone to utilize other witnesses for other purposes therefore the sole and only witness remaining will be the respondent himself. We made that clear on record," he said.   But chief prosecutor Niel Tupas Jr. said they will wait for the testimony of Corona before deciding whether they will present rebuttal evidence after the defense concludes their case.   Enrile said that both camps will be allowed to present two speakers for the closing arguments, each of whom will be given 30 minutes to speak.   "They [prosecution] have opening statement and a closing statement... so whatever is consumed by the prosecution we will give you [defense] the same time," he said.   "I assure you that we will be equitable," he added.   Senator Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, suggested that the Senate conduct the trial until Friday. The trial is usually conducted from Mondays to Thursdays from 2 p.m. until 5 or 6 p.m. depending on the senators and the two panels.   "We are losing two trial days and the following week is already the 31st," he said.   Enrile said they will take this up in caucus. "We cannot go beyond this month. We have a pile of legislative matters to be discussed and disposed," he said.   The Senate will go on break on June 8 and will resume session on July 22.  Corona ready