Senate gives Corona until Friday to testify

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said on Wednesday that Chief Justice Renato Corona will only have until Friday to recuperate from his apparent sickness and bear witness before the Senate.

The impeachment trial on Wednesday ended early and will continue on Friday around 2 p.m.

Enrile said, "On Monday we schedule an oral argument. It will depend upon the court whether we render the judgment or postpone it for another day... [we may] make a decision on Monday or Tuesday."

After Corona testified on Tuesday, he was sent to the intensive care unit of the Medical City, Pasig City, apparently for suffering from a heart attack.

Lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas said that their client is not in good condition to bear witness in the impeachment court.

Cuevas said, "I went to the hospital where the chief justice is now confined in order to bring him before this court and testify continue with direct and cross examination. Unluckily enough, when we reached the hospital, your honor, we did no have the opportunity to talk with the chief justice [because] he is in sedation and we were prohibited by the physicians in charge to have a conference with him."

He said that he was guaranteed by the wife of CJ, Cristina, that Corona was eager to come back to continue his testimony.

On the other hand, Enrile ordered the Senate doctor to verify Corona's condition. — ARA