Corona defense wants to finish presenting evidence in May

As the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona resumes Monday, his defense lawyers expect to finish their presentation of evidence before June. But lawyer Tranquil Salvador III said this does not include other procedures such as those involved in the formal offer of evidence and comments by the prosecution. “Given the amount of evidence we will present, we expect to finish presenting our evidence before the end of May. But if there will be further delay, I don’t think we would be to blame,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said they expect to present about 10 witnesses, although he is not discounting the possibility that not all of the witnesses will actually testify. The Senate acting as an impeachment court is expected to resume on Monday the impeachment trial of Corona, after a break of nearly two months. On the other hand, Salvador admitted there could be factors that prolong the process, including lengthy questioning of the witnesses. He cited the case of former Manila Mayor Jose Atienza Jr., whose grilling took up one day of the trial. “Pagkatapos mag-present ng evidence, gagawin na namin ang formal offer of evidence, pagkatapos magko-comment sila (After we present our evidence, we will have to make a formal offer of evidence, then the prosecution may make comments),” Salvador said. — LBG/HS, GMA News