Civic leader apologizes to JPE, impeach court

MANILA, Philippines - Civic leader Harvey Keh has apologized to the impeachment court for his attempt to influence the trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

In a letter dated May 18, Keh expressed his “sincerest and deepest apologies” to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and the impeachment court for “any ill feelings, problems, disturbance or disruption that my actions may have caused.”

“I admit that I have had lapses in judgment in handling and acting on this particular issue, but please rest assured that I have no malice intent in my actions,” read the foreword of Keh’s five-page compliance affidavit submitted to the impeachment court.

Last week, Enrile directed Keh to show cause why he should not be cited in contempt for bringing in documents purportedly containing evidence against Corona to the Senate President’s office a few weeks ago with a TV crew in tow.

Enrile lashed out at Keh in open court and Keh also received a dressing down from Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Santiago was disappointed upon learning that Keh merely received the documents from an anonymous source.

Keh said his move was “only to advance his advocacies on transparency in government, ethical leadership, and good governance.”

Keh is lead convenor of Kaya Natin Movement.

“Herein witness is not a lawyer,” read the compliance affidavit.

“He does not know the intricacies of the law, much less the proper government body that could validate the contents of the subject documents.” 

It was never his attention to sensationalize the issue, he said.

Keh manifested that he never intended to influence the impeachment court presiding officer with his actions.

“Whereas, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Impeachment Court that the herein witness should not be cited in contempt for submitting subject documents to the Office of the Presiding Officer,” he said in his compliance affidavit.