Senate takes note of Corona waiver but refuses to call more witnesses

The Senate impeachment court on Friday took note of Chief Justice Renato Corona's unconditional waiver for his assets, but denied his request to call additional witnesses for the defense.

 

After emerging from a caucus with the other senators, impeachment presiding judge and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile emphasized that the court "is not the producer of evidence. It is a hearer of facts.

 

"I hereby state for the record that we take note of this but we cannot act on this," Enrile said.

 

At the start of the 42nd day of the impeachment trial, Corona submitted an "unconditional waiver" allowing the release of his Statement of Assets Liabilities, and Net Worth, as well as the opening of his peso and dollar accounts.

 

Corona likewise requested that additional witnesses from bank institutions be summoned, but the Senate court said it cannot do so.

 

"We take note of this waiver but we cannot subpoena any other persons mentioned here," Enrile said, "given the fact that we are not supposed to produce evidence for the defense nor for the prosecution."  

Enrile also said the Senate impeachment court was under the impression that the impeachment case has already been submitted for resolution.

 

"Given the fact that the defense has already indicated that they will not any more propound direct questions to the honorable Chief Justice and they will terminate the presentation of evidence, and the prosecution has indicated on record that they will no more do cross-examination, it is the understanding of this court that in effect both sides in this impeachment proceedings is actually submitting the case for decision," he said. –KG, GMA News