Corona lead counsel Cuevas: 'I almost resigned'

For the first time since the impeachment trial began in January this year, former Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas on Wednesday admitted that at one point, he almost resigned as counsel for Chief Justice Renato Corona.

 

In a chance interview after the 41st day of trial, Cuevas said he had earlier informed Corona that he wanted to give up his role in the trial.

 

"Nag-resign na ako matagal na, ayaw tanggapin," Cuevas told reporters. The lead defense counsel, who has earned grudging respect from many trial observers for his passionate performance in the proceedings, cited "conflict of opinion" as among the reasons for his decision.

 

"Kung ganoon chief eh kung wala na akong katuturan eh pinakamagaling na hayaan niyo na akong magresign," he recalled telling Corona.

 

However, the chief justice convinced Cuevas to reconsider and stay with the team.

 

Cuevas refused to give specific details on why he had considered giving up his position, saying: "Confidential ang relationship between client and lawyer."

 

Asked when he attempted to resign from the panel, Cuevas said he could no longer remember the date but that it happened "during the middle part" of the trial. On Tuesday, the defense team had admitted that they did not know what Corona would say during his testimony as the last witness in his own impeachment trial. Defense lawyers were also taken aback when Corona suddenly left the witness stand after giving his lengthy statement, without waiting to be discharged by the senator-judges.