Defense wants Corona to be a sincere, candid witness

The camp of Chief Justice Renato Corona is mum on their prepartions for the chief magistrate's testimony on Tuesday, May 22. But in an interview with reporters on Thursday, defense spokesperson Jose "Judd" Roy III, hinted on how they wanted Corona to come out once he takes the witness stand.  "We want to make sure that he [Corona] gets to be appreciated as a very sincere, candid, and straightforward witness," Roy told reporters at the Supreme Court in Manila.

 

The defense lawyer also said that in a highly-publicized trial like the impeachment trial — where emotions as seen in past hearings can run high — they want the chief magistrate to keep his cool the entire time.

 

"We could imagine that sometimes the witnesses in situations like this can get quite emotional and we will make sure this does not happen," Roy said.

 

Roy said Corona had already met with his defense lawyers ever since the team announced to the Senate impeachment court that it already plans to present the chief magistrate on May 22 or Tuesday next week. Roy, however, was tight-lipped as to the details of the most recent defense meeting.

 

"We are not going to tell you what's been going on, which is a very sensitive preparation. Why don't you just wait for it. Sayang naman ang buildup [We don't want to spoil the buildup]," Roy said.

 

Roy also said he couldn't tell yet when they plan to meet anew with Corona in the following days but said: "Whenever he's ready [we'll meet him]. We have to work around the schedule of the chief justice. He's a very busy man."

 

Corona is set to be the defense's last witness before the panel ends its presentation of evidence. He is expected to defend himself against allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and graft and corruption.

 

Roy said there's already no turning back once they send Corona to the stand next week. "What are we going to do if we don't present him? We will be in trouble."

 

"[Kaya] we're going to review the records and identify areas of exchange of information on the chief justice's testimony," he added. — RSJ, GMA News