IBP president: Corona must finish impeachment trial

Chief Justice Renato Corona will lose everything if he does not return to his impeachment trial, according to Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Roan Libarios.

 

"Tingin ko ‘pag hindi siya humarap for cross-examination, 'yung value ng kanyang testimony will be rendered worthless and meaningless. Magiging zero ‘yung impact ng kanyang testimony," said Libarios in an interview on GMA News TV’s News to Go on May 23.

 

After delivering a lengthy opening statement on May 22, Corona left his own trial even if he has not yet been discharged from the witness stand. 

 

He was brought to The Medical City in Pasig City, and is currently in the intensive care unit for a possible heart attack, according to Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez. 

 

After Corona's departure, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the testimony will be stricken off the record if Corona will not subject himself to cross-examination.   

In his opening statement, Corona said that he has four dollar accounts, but was not bound to disclose this in his SALN in accordance with the law on foreign currency deposits.

 

"He was able to give explanations. Halimbawa sa dollar accounts, sinasabi niya apat lang; hindi naman 82 dollar accounts. Hindi naman ganito kalaki ‘yung pera niya. Sinasabi niya na wala pa naman daw nag-declare ng foreign currency deposit doon sa SALN," said Libarios.

 

In his opening speech, Corona said all the properties of his family came from hard work. 

 

"Maganda naman ang naging takbo ng presentation ni Chief Justice. Sa issue ng peso account, na-explain naman niya na sa kanilang buhay, for 45 years, naging simple ang buhay nila at they were able to save some funds. Pinakita naman niya, at alam naman ng senators’ circle ‘yan, na wala siyang katulong sa bahay," he said.

 

Corona also said he would submit a waiver allowing the opening of all his bank accounts for scrutiny and allowing the release of his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth (SALN) to the public, on the condition that Senator Franklin Drilon and the 188 signatories of the impeachment complaint against him sign and submit the same waiver. 

 

Cross-examination needed

 

According to Libarios, although Corona was able to give explanations in his testimony, he must return for cross-examination. Libarios said that since he submitted to the process, he must finish the impeachment trial and "hope that the senators will be able to see his point of view."

 

"If he will not appear in subsequent proceedings, ‘yung value ng kanyang testimony ay talagang mawawalan ng bisa," said Libarios.

 

Saying Corona should be given the benefit of the doubt, Libarios said the impeachment trial may have a positive impact on the judiciary.

 

"We hope he could recover and then finish and complete the entire process because if you have credible proceedings and a credible judgment, then everybody gains. Our democracy will be strengthened," he said.

 

Last year, Libarios filed a petition to stop the impeachment trial for its supposed invalidity. 

 

He said they were against the impeachment trial because the verification process was not followed, and the original complaint was based on collegial decisions. However, he said they are submitting to the process of the Senate.

 

"Nag-evolve kasi from the original complaint na based doon sa collegial decisions into a question of fortified properties, dollar accounts. Nagsanga-sanga na ito," he said, adding that the chief justice must address the issue of public accountability.

 

"Tingin namin dapat ‘yung Senado na ang lumiwanag sa mga issue dito," he said. –Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News