Arroyo cautious on appearing Corona's trial

Attorney Ferdinand Topacio said on Tuesday that the former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is cautious of appearing on Chief Justice Renato Corona's impeachment trial.

Topacio said that in this case, they view with a certain degree of cynicism the plan to summon Arroyo to testify, because they cannot possibly define what the purpose is for her to testify. He thinks that the term should be 'wary', of the motives of the House prosecutors in considering summoning Arroyo.

He said that they shall first see if Arroyo will testify, because as of now, all these things are conjectural. Since according to lead prosecutor Niel Tupas, up to now they are still uncertain as to whether or not to issue subpoena.

He stressed that they shall scrutinize the purpose, because if what they are trying to prove is bias, alleged bias, or partiality of Corona to Arroyo, there are other evidence which they may submit to the Senate acting as an impeachment court to attempt to prove that, even without the testimony of Arroyo.

Attorney Harry Roque, on the other hand, said that is significant for the tribunal for Arroyo to set up her relationship with Corona before the court. ("Sa isang punto, importante na malaman ng tao nga ang dahilan kung bakit in-appoint ni Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo si Corona - ano ba talaga ang relasyon nila at makita kung talagang pu-puwdeng bigyan ng prayoridad ni Corona ang kanyang malapit na pakikisama kay GMA kaysa sa Saligang Batas.") — ARA