By Jelly F. Musico
Senate President and presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday warned that he would order the two hour-long testimony of Chief Justice Renato Corona stricken off the record and render verdict on the impeachment case should the chief magistrate evade being cross-examined by the prosecution and the senator-judges.
Enrile made this warning after Corona suddenly walked out and left the witness stand without asking permission from the court after signing a waiver authorizing government entities to open peso and dollar bank accounts as well as his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth provided that the 188 complainants from the House and Senator Franklin Drilon will also sign the same waiver.
â€We will give Corona until tomorrow (Wednesday) to return. If he does not return, we will consider this case submitted for resolution. If corona does not want to be cross-examined, I will order his statement stricken off the record,†Enrile said.
The decision of Enrile was supported by all the 23 senators present during the 40th day of the impeachment trial on Tuesday.
Defense lead counsel Justice Serafin Cuevas apologized for Corona’s sudden departure from the session hall even as he got boos from the gallery.
Corona returned to the session hall on a wheelchair, forcing Cuevas to ask for suspension of the trial hearing to give the chief magistrate enough time to recover from sudden attack of hypoglycemia until Wednesday.
â€He is not physically able and not mentally suited to carry on the direct examination. Corona will continue his testimony but not today,†Cuevas said.
Enrile granted the request of the defense and, at the same time, demanded respect from Corona.
â€I have high respect for the chief justice and Supreme Court but I demand respect for the institution I represent. I will not allow any abuse of authority against this court for as long as I am presiding officer,†Enrile said.
In his testimony, Corona denied the claims of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales that he has 82 dollar accounts amounting to US$ 10 to 12 million and 31 peso bank deposits.
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