Palace expresses concern over Corona's pro bono lawyers

Malacañang on Tuesday expressed concern over the free legal services being rendered by topnotch lawyers to impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, saying this may create public perception that these lawyers are "in the favor of the Supreme Court."   “That is a point of concern considering that these defense lawyers also belong to big law firms that in all probability are handling cases before the Supreme Court,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing.   She said pro bono services are usually rendered to indigents clients who do not have the means to secure lawyers.   “A point of concern is that the perception it may create that these law firms are in the favor of the Supreme Court,” Valte pointed out.    But in an ambush interview before the start of the day’s impeachment trial in the Senate, lawyer Tranquil Salvador III, a member of the defense team, dismissed such concerns, saying he is confident Corona will inhibit from the cases in the Supreme Court that are being handled by members of his legal team.   “I don’t see any conflict in my case as well as in those of other defense team members. Hindi naman ako magtataka na magi-inhibit si Chief Justice doon,” Salvador told reporters.   Supreme Court administrator and spokesman Midas Marquez earlier said the lawyers Corona enlisted "volunteered" to be part of the team free of charge.   During Monday’s impeachment trial, House prosecutor and Ilocos Norte Rep Rodolfo Fariñas said Corona is not allowed to accept free services from other lawyers, especially topnotch ones who are expensive to hire. - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News