Corona appears on today's trial

Lead defense lawyer, Retired justice Serafin Cuevas confirmed Chief Justice Renato Corona's appearance on the Senate impeachment court today regardless of oppositions from his relatives and worries raised by doctors over his medical situation.

Cuevas verified on Thursday after visiting CJ at intensive care unit of The Medical City in Pasig, saying that their client will follow the order for him to show up at the Senate impeachment court.

Defense lawyer, Ramon Esguerra also confirmed it, he said, "Tell the rest of the team that if my condition does not worsen, I'd like to personally go there (to the Senate), apologize for whatever… that my actions caused… and open myself for questioning by the senators."

Esguerra said that Corona went through all this courageously to prove his innocence, whether they believe him, it is up to them.

Cuevas said, "I told him (Corona) that it's inevitable to appear tomorrow (Friday) because the judges might think he really intended to disrespect them. And we were able to convince him."

According to the defense counsel, a medical group will be on standby. The Chief Justice however signed a waiver pardoning the hospital of any legal responsibility in case his situation takes a turn for the worse after exiting the hospital.

On Tuesday, Corona left the witness stand in a puff, which made Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile order the Senate sergeant-at-arms to lock the gates to stop Corona from exiting the building. — ARA