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MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE – 6:12 p.m.) Spokesmen for the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona said the suspension of Tuesday’s hearing, prompted by their failure to present witnesses, was a “learning experience” and part of the “birth pains” of the trial.
But Representatives Romero Federico Quimbo, Juan Edgardo Angara and Lorenzo Tanada III maintained they were prepared to tackle Article of Impeachment 2, which deals with the allegedly questionable properties of Corona, although they admitted that witnesses were vital to establishing that the documents in the prosecution’s possession were copies of the actual titles to the properties allegedly owned by the Chief Justice and his family.
For its part, Malacanang admonished the prosecution to “heed the lessons” of Tuesday’s proceedings.
“Together with the rest of the nation, we believe that a lot rests on the shoulders of the prosecution, and expectations are high. The prosecution will surely heed the lessons of today's proceedings,” Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.
“We are confident the truth will emerge during the trial,” he added.
Lacierda also welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court not to issue a temporary restraining order on the impeachment trial.
“It is a recognition of the unique nature of the impeachment court as the Constitution established it,” he said.
“These are all birth pains, and the disadvantage is, we are bearing all the brunt because we are the first to present (our case),” Quimbo said.
Tanada explained that their witnesses failed to make it to Tuesday’s hearing because they received the subpoena to appear only the same day. But he said the witnesses would be present Wednesday.
Angara said the prosecution team has over 100 documents on Corona’s alleged properties.
He once again challenged Corona to disclose his statement of assets liabilities and net worth to disprove the allegations against him.
Tuesday’s trial was suspended after Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr., the lead prosecutor for Article 2, admitted they were not ready to proceed with the trial because of the absence of their witnesses.
Ilocos Norte Representative Rodolfo Farinas, a member of the prosecution team, said the acceptance of the documents would be “conditional” without witnesses to authenticate them.
Asked if the prosecution was not aware of this, Farinas only smiled.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said he suspended the trial “for the prosecution to prepare.”
Members of the prosecution team are meeting to decide if they will re-arrange the sequence of the eight articles of impeachment.
