Miriam scolds Corona prosecutors anew, says a congressman lied under oath

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Monday once again scolded the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, this time even saying that she can prove one congressman lied while under oath.   "Ang dami ninyong komentaryo sa senator-judges, kung mag-komentaryo kaya kami sa trial at sa inyong competence? In fact, about your mental sanity aber, gusto ninyo?" Santiago said while raising her voice during the 24th day of the impeachment trial of Corona. Santiago has hypertension and has been absent from several days of the trial because of the condition.    "I have evidence against a certain congressman [when he] testified here. Wag ninyo ako pilitin, I can prove that he is lying under oath, be careful," she added, without giving any other clues as to the identity of the lawmaker.   Chief prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. had earlier denied before the court that he was personally acquainted with prosecution witness Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) Katipunan branch manager Anabelle Tiongson, while Quezon City Rep. Jorge "Bolet" Banal and Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali had earlier explained how they came to be in possession of the allegedly leaked bank documents of Corona from PSBank.   Before this, the feisty senator also criticized a survey supposedly being conducted by students of the University of the Philippines. She said the survey asks three questions, one of which is whether Corona should be allowed stay in power.   "No UP student with an IQ that is demanded by the state university will conduct that kind of survey when only the prosecution has presented evidence. Wala pa nga nape-present na evidence ang defense, magtatanong ka na," Santiago said.   "What is the implication, that this matter can be resolved by referendum? Kung mag-survey kaya ang Ateneo at kontra sa survey ng UP, ano gagawin natin? Nakakainsulto. You are an insult to the intelligence of educated Filipinos," she added.   The senator then said the move was probably propaganda, though she did not elaborate on who could be behind it.   "Wag ninyo ako lolokohin, hindi ‘yan lalabas sa newscast kung walang may nagbayad dahil hindi naman legitimate news ‘yun. Nagsu-survey ang isang campus. Is that even officially sponsored by the school or by the student council of the school?" asked Santiago, who earned her political science and law degrees from UP. - KBK/HS, GMA News