Corona's case finishes by June

Senate President and impeachment court presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile said on Thursday that the trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona will probably be finished by June.

Enrile said that they are allotting one month for the defense panel to present their evidence.
He said that they have been hearing the case. They know already what the case is all about. Every day they get and they hear the declaration of the witnesses. They have a record of the proceedings in the form of a journal. All they have to do is read those things and then, if they are attentive, at this point, they know what is going on.

Afterward, the prosecution team will be given a chance to make a rebuttal of proof, after that the court can give their judgment.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said in his opening prayer on Thursday, "As we suspend the trial today to go on Lenten break, let us pause to atone for our sins and pray for a miracle that can cleanse our souls. Grant us, O Lord, even for a second, the supernatural power of being able to read the mind and feel the conscience of the respondent standing trial before this impeachment court, so we will be spared the agony of acquitting a guilty man – or worse, pronouncing the guilt of an innocent person. And whatever is the outcome of this trial, we pray that the accuser and the accused, and all the participants in this painful exercise, will learn to forgive and forget all the harsh and cruel words said and heard, for the sake of our beloved country and your children in this part of the world."

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will be called again to bear witness regarding the Article 7 of the impeachment complaint against Corona ahead the appeal of the defense.

The Article 7 alleges Corona of being biased when the Supreme Court released a temporary restraining order on the government's action of prohibiting former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in leaving the country November of 2011.

However, the defense refused to reveal their reasons why they want De Lima to testify again, lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas said that it is a matter of strategy, His hope that they will be pardon.

Enrile said that he also issued a subpoena to Secretary De Lima when requested by the prosecution. — ARA