Lacson: Cuevas must detail 'Palace pressure' to quit Corona defense team

By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMA News

Published January 30, 2012 11:10am

(UPDATED 11:50 a.m.) - The Senate should require retired Justice Serafin Cuevas to explain in detail the alleged attempt of Malacañang to make him quit the legal team of Chief Justice Renato Corona, Senator Panfilo Lacson said.

"I think he should be asked to provide the details. That is a serious accusation," Lacson told GMA News Online in a text message on Monday. Lacson also said whoever is responsible for the attempt may be cited for indirect contempt.

Lacson issued the statement after a Philippine Daily Inquirer report quoted Cuevas as saying that a lawyer from the Palace had approached him to ask him to leave Corona's legal team.

In the report, Cuevas allegedly claimed he was being asked to do this in exchange for the withdrawal of a criminal case against sacked National Bureau of Investigation chief Magtanggol Gatdula, a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, which is also Cuevas' client. Meanwhile, in an ambush interview with reporters on Monday, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile called the matter a "side issue."

"That is an incidental matter. Sa akin hindi na kailangan yun [busisiin] it will only delay the proceedings," he said.

Enrile noted, however, that he will put the matter into a vote if a senator makes a motion about it.

Cuevas' denial However, in an interview over radio dzBB on Monday, Cuevas, the head of the defense panel in Corona's impeachment trial, denied the claims of the newspaper report.

Cuevas, 83, insisted he did not say anything about alleged pressure from the Palace, which is supporting the removal of Corona from office.

"Walang pressure ang Malacañang sa akin, walang pinapadalang tao, di totoo yan, walang katotohanan yan," Cuevas said in an interview over radio dzBB. Effect of the allegation

Lacson said the allegation will not affect the integrity of the Senate as the impeachment court but it could affect the integrity of the trial itself.

"We owe it not only to the defense counsel and the respondent but to the Filipino people as well as to inquire into the llegation and take action on the matter, if and when subatntiated," he said.

Asked about the same issue, Sen. Francis Escudero told GMA News Online in a separate text message that he doesn't know what is the plan of the Senate yet.

"[I] don't know, will also find out later," he said.

The impeachment court will resume session at 2:00 p.m. on Monday. - VVP, GMA News

Tags: corona, renatocorona, impeachment, coronaimpeachment, pinglacson