Miriam not inclined to go easy on 'grandstanding' personalities in Corona trial

Despite appeals for “respect” and “civility,” Sen. Miriam Santiago is not inclined to go easy on lawyers of the prosecution and defense in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona — that is, if she believes them to be just grandstanding.   Santiago advised lawyers from both sides to be direct to the point and drop the drama, instead of trying to “control” the behavior of the Senate, which is sitting as the impeachment court.   “Hindi nila karapatan mag-object sa personality or sa character ng tao, at hindi sila pwede magbigay ng dahilan kung bakit hindi sila dapat pagalitan,” she said in an interview on dzBB radio on Sunday.   Santiago, however, hinted she may head for The Hague while the trial is ongoing, saying she is being summoned there as a judge of the International Criminal Court. She did not elaborate.   She said that if she does leave the impeachment trial for the ICC, the public can judge for themselves who among the lawyers in the trial are grandstanding for the 2013 elections.   “Pumunta na lang kaya ako sa The Hague, dahil pinapatawag na ako roon, bahala na sila para matingnan natin ang magiging reaksyon ng publiko sa kanila. Nagpapa-gwapo ang iba rito dahil may susunod na election, isang taon na lang pwede na sila mangampanya,” the feisty lawmaker said.   But she said that if those seeking “respect” really want to push their point, they can put it in writing and make a formal request to the impeachment court. No theatrics, please   Also, she said that while the judges want a speedy trial, they risk allowing the pace of the trial to slow down if they allow lawyers from either side to engage in theatrics.   “[Just be] direct to the point. Huwag na ang drama, huwag na ‘yan, para sa TV lang ‘yan ... Huwag na marami pang mga salita na sententious. Masyadong maraming sentences to say just one word,” Santiago said.   “The call of the public, I believe, is for a speedy trial because justice delayed is justice denied,” she added.   On the other hand, Santiago rejected a call from House minority leader Neptali Gonzales II for “respect.”   Gonzales, in an earlier interview on dzBB radio, said senators and congressmen should treat each other with respect, with the only difference being senators are elected nationally and congressmen are elected by their respective districts.   “Pare-pareho kaming nirerespeto ng mga taong bumoto sa amin,” he said.   But Santiago reminded Gonzales the Senate is the body granted by the 1987 Constitution with the power to act as an impeachment court. “Ang House of Representatives, hindi pwede mag-lecture how the proceedings should be conducted.”   Santiago also said some lawyers may try to impress their clients to justify their high pay.   “Natural lang na magpapasikat sila maski man lang sa kliente nila... Ayaw ko mangyari yan sa impeachment court, ayaw ko ng pasikat,” said Santiago, a former trial court judge.   Civility   Santiago also said the trial courtroom is not a protocol of civility and is not an exchange of courtesy with infinite patience.   “Dapat malumanay ang judge, basta may magawa na tama ang katungkulan ang abogado. Kung sumosobra sila kailangan pagalitan mo dahil iniisahan ka pala,” she said.   Anger management    Santiago admitted she has had issues with anger management, but is quick-tempered when she senses someone is trying to put one over her. “Hindi ko maipagmamalaki yan, I’m not proud of this habit, I’m always trying to learn lessons in anger management,” she said.   Santiago, who went home early during Thursday’s trial due to high blood pressure, also said she had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test and found there was nothing wrong with her brain.   “Pero hindi ko yata makayanan, talagang ganyan lang ako, madali ko makita ang punto, minsan hindi ko maintindihan ang kapaligid ko, nagagalit ko dahil alam ko kung saan papunta,” she said. - KBK, GMA News