What really happened after Corona walked out of the trial?

When Chief Justice Renato Corona went to the Senate on Tuesday to testify in his own impeachment trial, many Filipinos were glued to their television screens, eager to hear what he had to say.   Among those who watched his testimony closely was retired Maj. Gen. Jose Balajadia Jr., who has been the Senate sergeant-at-arms for more than 10 years. He admitted that he was "elated" to be facing the Chief Justice for the very first time.   “It’s not everyday that you can meet the Chief Justice, the equivalent of the President and the Senate president. Can you imagine [facing] him like that?" he said in an interview with GMA News Online.   But viewers and Balajadia got more than what they expected. In addition to hearing the Chief Justice speak and air his sentiments about the long-running impeachment trial, they also witnessed a little drama on the side.   At 5:07 p.m. on Tuesday, right after delivering his three-hour statement, Corona abruptly left the witness stand after telling the impeachment court: "And now, the chief justice of the Republic of the Philippines wishes to be excused." He had not yet been discharged as a witness when he walked out of the impeachment court.   There are two exits from the Senate session hall, one at the back and one in front. Corona used the front exit, which goes to the corridor behind the Session hall. This leads to the exit to the basement, as well as the door to the Senate lounge where the senators sometimes hold their caucuses.   At first, Balajadia said, he thought Corona was just planning to take his medicine at the back of the Session hall.   "[But] when I saw him stand up and then he began to go to the back, nag-suspetsa na ako, I stood up and I went to the exit of the senator's lounge," he said.   On the orders of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the 68-year-old chief of the Senate’s security detail said he and his men immediately closed all the doors in the chamber.     "Nung sinabi ni Senate president na close the door, alam mo kami, mayroon kaming protocol. If you hear the order of the Senate president or any senator [you] immediately obey," he said.   He rushed to where Corona, his wife Cristina, and their bodyguards were – at the corridor near the exit to the Senate basement. When he arrived, his men were in a standoff with the chief justice and his party. Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia Jr. (wearing glasses) blocks the path of Chief Justice Renato Corona and his security escorts as they attempt to leave the Senate premises using the basement exit. Photo courtesy of the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau.  "Nagtutulakan na sila. Immediately I went in between," he said.   "I told [Corona's] security, tiningnan ko siya sa mata, I said ‘please,’ umilag siya," he added.   When he came face to face with Corona, Balajadia calmly told the chief justice, "Sir, I'm sorry."  He recalled the magistrate asking him, "Are you arresting me?"   He began explaining to Corona, "Sir, you know very well that in any court of law a judge can order..." but he was cut off by Mrs. Corona.   "Itutuloy ko sana, 'that the order sir is not to allow you to leave the building’ pero hindi ko na natapos yun. Sumabat na si misis, ‘Is this martial law?’" he said.   Balajadia said he was offended by Mrs. Corona’s remark because he is against Martial Law. A former Philippine Air Force general, he has served under four Senate presidents: Senator Franklin Drilon, the late Senator Blas Ople, Senator Manuel Villar, and Enrile.   "I felt slighted. Ina-accuse ako, as if sundalo na may baril na mukhang rabid dog or something like that. Sumama talaga loob ko doon. [But] I did not talk anymore, pinabayaan ko na lang because my primary interest was the security situation. Ayaw ko magkagulo," he said.   At that point, Supreme Court spokesperson Midas Marquez and defense lawyer Jose Roy III arrived. "Sila na nag-usap. Sabi ko ‘ayusin ninyo ito,’" he said.   Balajadia then left the group and reported to Enrile what had happened.   "I felt that I had to go inside to report to the Senate president,” he said. “Sabi niya sa akin, ‘you close the doors general’ [I said] ‘yes sir, all doors are closed.’ Gusto ko nga sana sabihin, kahit employees ninyo hindi makakaalis."   Before going into the room with the senators, he saw Corona sit down by the exit because he was supposedly getting weak and dizzy.     However, Balajadia said he could not determine whether the chief justice was really sick. "I don't know because I was oblivious to everyone pero nakita ko pa siya na umupo," he said.   "Sabi ng mga senador ipa-check mo para malagyan ng lunas. Una ayaw daw yata niya, but after a time talagang naapektuhan na siya so he was brought to the clinic,” Balajadia said.   “Nung lumabas sila, okay resume na. Ayun, nakita ko tinutulak na siya ng mga tao ko sa wheelchair," he said, adding that the doctors found out Corona had high blood pressure and low sugar levels.   Before the chief justice was brought to the clinic, however, Balajadia noted that Corona's staff was already waiting for him at the basement and his vehicle was getting ready to leave. Balajadia said he knows this because he gave his parking space to the chief justice.   After the trial was adjourned, Balajadia said Corona left using the regular exit and elevators. – YA, GMA News