Erap: At least Corona got due process

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada said yesterday that although Chief Justice Renato Corona was convicted, he is still more fortunate than him because Corona was given his day in the impeachment court.

“He is even fortunate than me because he was convicted on the basis of the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defense panels,” Estrada said.

He recalled that the prosecution panel in his impeachment case walked out, which deprived him of the chance to defend himself in 2001.

“I was unconstitutionally removed and they created the special court in Sandiganbayan to convict me. I was not given the chance to defend myself,” Estrada said.

He cited the time when Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ordered the sergeant-at-arms to close all entry and exit points in the Senate when Corona walked out immediately after delivering his lengthy speech before the impeachment court last week.

“(Chief Justice Hilario) Davide should have ordered the same and locked up the Senate entry points when the prosecution panel walked out and ordered the private prosecutors to return to the impeachment court as well as dismissed the case against me for failure to prosecute. But he did not do that,” Estrada said.

Estrada, who followed the entire proceedings at the Senate, lauded presiding officer Enrile for his high quality leadership during the impeachment trial, adding that the recently concluded proceeding is a boost to the country’s democracy.

“I congratulate the impeachment court for successfully concluding the impeachment trial. Regardless of the result, today was a good day for our democracy because the impeachment court proved that we can abide by the rule of law,” Estrada said.