Miriam says CJ should testify

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago wants Chief Justice Renato Corona to face the impeachment court when trial resumes next week.  

“As a former trial judge, I think that if the CJ appears he will strengthen his defense,” she said. 

However, Santiago said Corona has the prerogative if his lawyers feel that it will not help his defense. 

Santiago said Corona must decide whether he would face the impeachment court.

“That is a privilege of the accused,” she said. “We cannot force him to appear, and if he chooses to let his wife appear, as I said that is his privilege. It is not counted against him.” She would “be left wondering how he would have looked if he were in the witness chair in front of me,” Santiago said. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has called on Corona to answer allegations that he has $10 million in the bank.

Corona and his lawyers said the Office of the Ombudsman has no jurisdiction over Corona. The action of Morales was a witch-hunt, they added. House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III, a prosecution spokesman, said it would be easier to convict Corona for betrayal of public trust if he has indeed $10 million in secret bank accounts.

“It becomes more compelling for the Chief Justice to testify and explain his side to the people,” he said. “If Chief Justice Corona stubbornly refuses to testify, it will just prove to the people that he is not interested in bringing out the truth.” 

No definite decision has been made on whether Corona and his wife Cristina would appear before the impeachment court, according to defense lawyers Tranquil Salvador, Rico Paolo Quicho and Karen Jimeno. – With Paolo Romero