Irritated Cuevas to private prosecutor: 'Walang bastusan'

An irritated Serafin Cuevas, the lead defense counsel, on Monday took exception to a query from lead private prosecutor Mario Bautista that seemed to imply they have no more option but to present Chief Justice Renato Corona in his impeachment trial after details of his dollar accounts were presented during the day's hearing.

 

"May we know from the defense if the chief justice is going to testify tomorrow? Is he going to testify tomorrow?" Bautista asked just before Monday's trial was adjourned. He made the query even after the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, said it will recall to the witness stand Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Tuesday.

 

"Bakit naman ganyan? Para bang wala na kaming alternative? You are dealing with a retired justice of the Supreme Court. Walang bastusan," retorted Cuevas.  

 

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, presiding officer of the impeachment court, sided with Cuevas.

 

"I think the prosecution should not ask the defense when they will present their witnesses," he said. Bautista immediately apologized to Cuevas. "I'm sorry," he said.

 

Last week, defense counsel Jose Roy III promised the senator-judges that Corona would testify before the impeachment court if it issues a subpoena for 10 individuals, including Ombudsman Carpio-Morales.

 

The court promptly issued a subpoena against Morales, Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello, former Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros, Emmanuel Tiu Santos, and civil society leader Harvey Keh.

 

On Monday, Morales testified that documents from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) revealed that Corona has around $10 million in 82 accounts in five banks.

 

She added that Corona made several "significant" transactions, especially during the 2004 and 2007 polls and the day he was impeached in December 2011. - Kimberly Jane Tan/YA, GMA News