Impeachment court won't cite Gonzales for contempt

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate impeachment court will not cite House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II in contempt over allegations that he had harassed a defense witness in the trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Senate President and impeachment court presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile yesterday said they cannot act on the defense’s motion to have Gonzales cited for contempt because they have no jurisdiction over the congressman.

The defense panel, led by former justice Serafin Cuevas, wanted Gonzales sanctioned for reportedly warning Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco against taking the witness stand for the defense and even threatening the latter with expulsion from the House. Tiangco testified on Monday and Tuesday.

Gonzales said Tiangco’s showing up at the impeachment court was a defiance of the House leadership.

In his testimony, Tiangco claimed some of his colleagues had been coerced into signing the impeachment complaint against Corona.

“How can we cite Gonzales in contempt? The impeachment court has no jurisdiction over him,” Enrile said. “We have no authority to hold in contempt. We are not a super court. We are an impeachment court to perform a special job. We are exercising special jurisdiction.”

The motion of the defense, signed by lawyers Jose Roy and Dennis Manalo, said Gonzales’ pronouncements were undeniably threats directed at Tiangco.

“Surely, the circumstances and occasion attending these threats by majority leader Gonzales constitute an open attempt to thwart evidence being relied upon by the CJ (Chief Justice) in his defense,” they added.

The defense also cited the Rules of Court, which explicitly prohibit any move to impede, obstruct or degrade the administration of justice.

They said Tiangco clearly received “threats of expulsion from the majority leader.”

The motion would be discussed in a caucus, possibly on Monday.