Private Prosecutors at Renato Corona Impeachment

By Jelly F. Musico

The Senate impeachment court denied on Tuesday a motion of defense panel, disallowing the private prosecutors to assist the House prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

”With due respect to the defense, the chair rules that the rules of the house allow the presence of the private prosecutors to assist the panel of prosecutors designated by the House of Representatives,” president officer Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ruled.

Last Monday, the defense panel filed a motion disallowing the appearance of private prosecutors led by Atty. Mario Bautista.

Aside from Bautista, lawyers Arthur Lim, Clarence Jandoc, Ernesto Viovicente, Frederick Vallestero, and Winston Ginez appeared as private prosecutors of the House prosecution team during the opening of the impeachment trial.

But Corona’s legal counsel Atty. Jose Roy III said there was “no compelling justification” to allow the private prosecutors to assist the House panel.

With the court ruling, the private prosecutors will be allowed to assist the 11-man House prosecution panel composed of Reps. Niel Tupas as head, Giordigi Aggabao, Arlene Bag-ao, Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Neri Colmenares, Raul Daza, Rodolfo Farinas, Reynaldo Umali, Maryln Primiscias-Agabas and Sherwin Tugna.

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