Corona trial not discussed with PNoy during LP event — prosecutor

Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment trial was not discussed during the Liberal Party’s anniversary celebration last Friday, which was attended by President Benigno Aquino III and some members of the House prosecution team.   Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III confirmed that he and fellow House prosecutors Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. and Rep. Romero Quimbo attended the event, but quickly added that  they did not exchange more than pleasantries with the President.   “We were at the same table, but we just greeted each other. There was strictly no business since it's a party event,” he said in a phone interview.   Tañada, who is also LP spokesperson, added that he and his fellow congressmen never got the chance to get Aquino’s feedback and comments on Corona’s impeachment trial. He said the only group who managed to talk with the President at length during the event was the one composed of local officials from Quezon province.   But in a speech during the event, Aquino said Corona’s trial is “one of the brightest indications” that the ruling party, which he chairs, will be “steadfast” in laying down reforms for the country.   Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who presides over the impeachment trial, said he will let the public judge Aquino for supposedly meeting with some of the public prosecutors during the LP gathering.   Four LP-aligned senators who act as judges in the impeachment trial—Franklin Drilon, Teofisto Guingona III, Francis Pangilinan and Ralph Recto—did not attend the event.   Aside from Tupas, three other public prosecutors are LP members: Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya. — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News