Prosecution: More witnesses to prove Corona's hand in PAL-FASAP case

The House prosecution on Wednesday vowed to present more witnesses to paint "the bigger picture" on Chief Justice Renato Corona's supposed hand in the recall order on the 13-year-old labor case against the Philippine Airlines (PAL).   Public prosecutor Kaka Bag-ao's assurance came after Sen. Loren Legarda said in open court that despite the testimony of Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) president Roberto Anduiza, the prosecution still has yet to establish the "link and relevance" of the letters from PAL lawyer Estelito Mendoza and Article III of the impeachment articles.   The letters Legarda was referring to were those sent by Mendoza to the Supreme Court on September 13, 16, 20, and 22 last year. FASAP, the complainant in the labor case, said these letters prompted the original Supreme Court ruling favoring the group to be recalled.   During Wednesday’s trial in the Senate, Bag-ao said that letters coming from FASAP were accommodated "differently" by the high court compared to Mendoza’s letters. She said the Supreme Court required FASAP to furnish copies of their letters to PAL.   "Pero kay Mendoza, hindi sila pinadalhan ng kopya at subject pa sya sa administrative matter... Malaki ang connection sa akusasyon namin na magkaiba ang trato," Bag-ao said.   Anduiza returned to the witness stand on Wednesday for cross-examination by the defense.    When he took the stand Tuesday, Anduiza blamed Corona for the recall of the ruling on the FASAP case after finding out that he participated in the voting, contrary to the past rulings when the chief magistrate inhibited from the case.   During Wednesday's trial, lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas insisted that the recall order on the labor case refers to a motion for reconsideration and not on the actual case itself.   "What was reconsidered is not the original decision... There is no revocation of the original decision," Cuevas said. "The controversy [revolves around] the denial of the second motion for reconsideration and it is still pending before the SC en banc."   Cuevas added: "It has nothing to do with the multi-million peso award to FASAP members. The original decision stands."   Asked by Cuevas why Anduiza seemed "very categorical and positive" in blaming Corona for the recall order, Anduiza said: "Siya lang po ang kakaiba ang sitwasyon.”   Cuevas also pointed out that even if Anduiza claimed during direct examination that he suffered "emotionally" due to the recall order, the FASAP president still cannot demand damage claims from Corona. - Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News