Vitaliano Aguirre: No regrets

MANILA, Philippines - Lawyer Vitaliano Aguirre today apologized on national television to Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, but insisted that he does not regret covering his ears while the senator was berating the prosecution team during yesterday's impeachment trial.

"I have already apologized to her. If I hurt his feelings for what I did, I apologize," Aguirre said in an interview with ABS-CBN News this morning.

The lawyer, however, said that he has "no regrets" with what he did during the 26th day of the impeachment trial.

"Actually I look at this that I was just made an instrument para maiparating sa mga people concerned," Aguirre said.

He said that majority of the members of the House prosecution team already feel bad because lately, Santiago would open the hearing by lecturing them.

"Marami rin sa kanila ang nagpipigil na hindi nila malaman ang gagawin para maipahatid nila ang kanilang nasa loob sa ginagawang ito," the lawyer said.

He reiterated that a judge lecturing lawyers at the opening of a trial is not part of the usual court procedure.

The lawyer, meanwhile, said that he did not mean to disrespect the Senate as an impeachment court. He added that the presiding judge, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, has also been fair in handling the trial.

He thanked Enrile for giving him a chance to explain his actions yesterday.

Instead of immediately apologizing to Santiago and to the court, Aguirre said he purposely covered his ears because he could not take Santiago's verbal lashing.

As she was lecturing the prosecution team for dropping five of the eight articles of impeachment against Chief Justice Renato Corona, Santiago shouted twice the word "gago."

Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas had asked the court to strike out from the record the "gago" words uttered by the senator.

Aguirre said that he was the one who urged Fariñas to make the appeal.

The lawyer said during the interview that he is already resigning from the prosecution team.

"I told them (prosecution) I will voluntarily withdraw as a private prosecutor," he said.

Aguirre said that he will make a formal motion on his resignation from the prosecution team this afternoon.

He hinted that he feels bad leaving the prosecution because the team would need all the help it could get in cross-examining the witnesses and evidence that will be presented by the defense lawyer of Corona.

Aguirre was cited in contempt by the impeachment court for his actions yesterday. Senator-judges will hold a caucus next week to discuss the penalties that should be imposed on Aguirre.

The lawyer said that he is prepared to accept any punishment from the impeachment court.

The impeachment trial has been suspended until March 12. Once the trial resumes, the defense team will start presenting their own evidence and witnesses.

Enrile had urged the defense to allow Corona to take the witness stand and explain his questioned bank records.