PNoy confirms meeting with Jinggoy, other senators during Corona trial

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III admitted on Tuesday that he also met with at least three more senators during the Corona impeachment trial, but denied that he was trying to pressure them to convict the ousted magistrate.

At a televised interview with reporters, Aquino said he met with other senators aside from embattled Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. but only to verify reports that some groups are allegedly pressuring them to influence the outcome of the impeachment trial.

"All of these people were being subjected to tremendous pressure," said Aquino, adding that this is based on intelligence reports, although he has no audio or video tapes proving the allegations.

The President said he met with Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Teofisto Guingona and Ralph Recto.

"Not the majority of them (senators) if I recall correctly. I want to be able to make sure. Let me just check my records," he said.

Aquino said he met with the senators to ensure that they decide the case based on its merits. But he denied that he was pressuring them as well.

"I was trying to lessen the pressures on all of them," Aquino said.

Revilla, Estrada, Guingona and Recto all voted to convict Corona.

Both Revilla and Estrada are facing plunder charges for allegedly amassing kickbacks after diverting their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to dubious foundations set up by Janet Lim-Napoles.

In a privilege speech on Monday, Revilla denied the allegations and instead threw mud at the administration. He claimed that Aquino personally asked him to vote in favor of Corona's conviction during the period of the impeachment trial.

The senator said the meeting took place in Bahay Pangarap, the President's residence in Malacañang, over breakfast with then Transportation and Communications Sec. Mar Roxas and Budget Sec. Butch Abad.

Aquino said the meeting with Revilla was done in Malacañang because "holding it in the wrong venue will not lead to an exchange of ideas."

"That will further add to the pressures," Aquino said.

Lawyer Ma. Soledad Mawis, Dean of the Lyceum University of the Philippines College of Law, said in an interview on ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda that Aquino should not have met with the senators since they were acting as judges in the impeachment trial.

She said under Article 243 of the Revised Penal Code, any executive officer who orders a judicial authority to act in a certain way can be held criminally liable.

"Kung si Chief Justice kaya ho ang nag-imbeta sa mga tao pong ito, hindi po ba pangit tignan?" Mawis asked.

Read: Lawyer: PNoy-Revilla meeting during Corona trial improper