The public was glued to their television screens or laptop monitors to watch the impeachment drama unfold.
(Un)surprisingly, the first week of the Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr.’s trial wasn’t all about drama at all—there were comic moments that probably made you say Politics: It’s indeed more fun in the Philippines. If you missed those, then read on:
Common sense?
President of the Philippine Senate Juan Ponce Enrile delivers his opening remarks at the …When Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, presiding officer of the impeachment court, said the impeachment trial procedure is similar to a criminal case, Prosecution lead Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas asked where that came from, Enrile have this to say: “This is the product of my own mind.”
Every time Enrile calls for a court recess, he would say: “The trial is suspended for one long minute.”
It is indeed long. Because only after five minutes or more would the trial resume.
When Rep. Elpidio Barzaga objected to the manner of Ret. Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas’ (lead defense counsel ) line of questioning to the prosecution’s witness, he used what he “learned” at the law school.
Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr from the prosecution panel discusses a point …“My objection, your honor, is that before a question should be propounded, the witness should be first permitted to answer the previous question. That’s very basic, your honor, and I learned that from my remedial law professor, who happens to be no less than the defense counsel!”
Cuevas was however quick to say: Maybe you were absent when I discussed that!
Oops, does someone need remedial classes? Barzaga was Cuevas’ former student on remedial law at the Far Eastern University. (How apt is that?)
Senator Franklin Drilon and former senator Francisco Tatad’s had a confrontation during a trial break.
Tatad: You’re beginning to sound like a prosecutor.
Drilon: What’s your problem? Eh ‘di ipa-disqualify mo ako!
Later when asked in separate interviews to comment on the confrontation, the two answered:
Tatad: I said that as a friend.
Drilon: I don’t want to talk about it. Maliit na bagay lang iyon. Let’s talk about the impeachment. Kaibigan ko naman ‘yun.
The House panel on the defense team’s allegation that the prosecution is getting what they want without having to do anything and by relying to the senators to the job for them:
Rep. Erin Tanada: Inggit lang sila.
Rep. Sonny Angara: Istrikto kasi si Presiding Officer Enrile noong yung abogado namin ang nagtatanong. Nung ang mga nagtanong eh yung mga senador, hindi na siya istrikto.
Tupas: At least nakuha na naming yung matagal na naming hinihingi. (Pertaining to Corona’s SALN)
Prosecution may have more media exposure but the defense claim they at least have an eye candy.
Karen Jimeno (NPPA Images)
Lawyer Jose Roy: We want to talk to you (the media) too. We don’t want to keep Karen to ourselves. Karen is something to be shared. Pagdating sa ligawan sa publiko, si Karen na ang bahala dun. Malakas din ang pambato namin dyan.
Atty. Karen Jimeno, defense panel spokesperson, was tagged as the “stunner” of the impeachment trial.
(Un)surprisingly, the first week of the Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr.’s trial wasn’t all about drama at all—there were comic moments that probably made you say Politics: It’s indeed more fun in the Philippines. If you missed those, then read on:
Common sense?
President of the Philippine Senate Juan Ponce Enrile delivers his opening remarks at the …When Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, presiding officer of the impeachment court, said the impeachment trial procedure is similar to a criminal case, Prosecution lead Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas asked where that came from, Enrile have this to say: “This is the product of my own mind.”Looooong break
Every time Enrile calls for a court recess, he would say: “The trial is suspended for one long minute.”
It is indeed long. Because only after five minutes or more would the trial resume.
Remedial classes needed?
When Rep. Elpidio Barzaga objected to the manner of Ret. Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas’ (lead defense counsel ) line of questioning to the prosecution’s witness, he used what he “learned” at the law school.
Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr from the prosecution panel discusses a point …“My objection, your honor, is that before a question should be propounded, the witness should be first permitted to answer the previous question. That’s very basic, your honor, and I learned that from my remedial law professor, who happens to be no less than the defense counsel!”Cuevas was however quick to say: Maybe you were absent when I discussed that!
Oops, does someone need remedial classes? Barzaga was Cuevas’ former student on remedial law at the Far Eastern University. (How apt is that?)
Frenemies
Senator Franklin Drilon and former senator Francisco Tatad’s had a confrontation during a trial break.
Tatad: You’re beginning to sound like a prosecutor.
Drilon: What’s your problem? Eh ‘di ipa-disqualify mo ako!
Later when asked in separate interviews to comment on the confrontation, the two answered:
Tatad: I said that as a friend.
Drilon: I don’t want to talk about it. Maliit na bagay lang iyon. Let’s talk about the impeachment. Kaibigan ko naman ‘yun.
Sleeping on the job?
The House panel on the defense team’s allegation that the prosecution is getting what they want without having to do anything and by relying to the senators to the job for them:
Rep. Erin Tanada: Inggit lang sila.
Rep. Sonny Angara: Istrikto kasi si Presiding Officer Enrile noong yung abogado namin ang nagtatanong. Nung ang mga nagtanong eh yung mga senador, hindi na siya istrikto.
Tupas: At least nakuha na naming yung matagal na naming hinihingi. (Pertaining to Corona’s SALN)
‘Face’ of the trial
Prosecution may have more media exposure but the defense claim they at least have an eye candy.
Karen Jimeno (NPPA Images)Lawyer Jose Roy: We want to talk to you (the media) too. We don’t want to keep Karen to ourselves. Karen is something to be shared. Pagdating sa ligawan sa publiko, si Karen na ang bahala dun. Malakas din ang pambato namin dyan.
Atty. Karen Jimeno, defense panel spokesperson, was tagged as the “stunner” of the impeachment trial.
Can't laugh
And if you’re laughing, watch out. Enrile already ruled, “No laughing in this court! (Pounds gavel.)”
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