PNoy won't be active in pushing Del Castillo impeachment

 

“The case of Justice Del Castillo referred to a plagiarism case (while the President) largely refer to Chief Justice Corona as [the] epitome of what is wrong with the judiciary... that’s why the focus is on the Corona impeachment trial,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing.

 

Asked if Aquino would intervene in the case of Del Castillo, Lacierda said the matter is not being discussed in Malacañang.

 

“So far it’s been going on in its pace. The House has just voted it into plenary so we will just leave it to [the] House legislators to determine the fate of Justice Del Castillo. Right now, hindi namin napag-uusapan ang kaso ni Justice Del Castillo,” he said.

 

Earlier in the day, the House committee on justice, voting 38-10, approved for plenary vote the impeachment complaint against Del Castillo.

 

Lacierda also admitted that it would be a burden if the House would decide to transmit the impeachment complaint against Del Castillo to the Senate while the latter is hearing the case of Corona.

 

“It will be burden if two impeachment cases will be filed before the Senate but again it would be up to the House, to the plenary to decide when (they would transmit the Castillo case),” he said.

 

Asked if the Palace supports the complaint, Lacierda said the complaint is still with the House plenary which will discuss the merits of the case.

 

“We leave it with the House legislators to determine as to the substance of the impeachment. Right now the focus is on the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Corona,” he said.

 

Aquino's allies in the House of Representatives impeached Corona on Dec. 12 last year.

 

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed Corona to his current position just a few weeks before stepping down from office in 2010, to the displeasure of Aquino who has been at odds with the magistrate ever since. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News