Corona's family won't be summoned

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile rejected on Tuesday the motion of the prosecution panel to convene Chief Justice Renato Corona and his family members to be witnesses on the impeachment trial.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano challenged the chief and his family to bear witnesses on their possessions; however Enrile rejected the motion.

Enrile said, "The question is may they claim this qualification of privilege not to testify against the respondent in an impeachment trial? It really depends on the purpose and the author of the evidence. But we are not yet there. In any event, the time to invoke this is when they are called to testify."

He said that to compel Corona to appear and testify against himself by virtue of a subpoena directed to him by the court upon the request of the prosecution would violate the Chief Justice's constitutional right against self-incrimination.

According to the Senate president, if convicted, respondent Chief Justice would suffer the penalty of (a) removal from his position as chief justice before the expiration of his term and (b) suffer perpetual disqualification from holding any government position.

The disqualification of the motion is intended to preserve family solidarity and to prevent a common child to be used by a parent against the other on criminal litigations between them.

On the other hand, defense counsel of Corona, Dennis Manolo said that they understand that the arguments they have raised against the violation of the constitutional rights of the Chief Justice and his family have been upheld by the Senate by a clear majority vote ruling of the floor was clearly explained by the presiding officer. — ARA