By Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago went ballistic on Tuesday, as she warned the prosecution of being cited in contempt over the alleged fake copies of Chief Justice Renato Corona’s bank accounts.
“The issue is that prosecution requested a subpoena on bank accounts they knew nothing about! Why did you do this to the court? Why didn’t you hit your law books?” an angry Santiago said.
The prosecution attached photocopies of Corona’s alleged bank accounts in their request for subpoena as basis for their evidence.
But Philippine Savings Bank-Katipunan Branch Annabelle Tiongson disowned the said copies, noting that they were not faithful reproduction of the original documents.
“Anonymous sources as basis of prosecution? Pwede ba yon? Alleged sources lang? You cannot tamper with the rules of court!” a furious Santiago said.
The prosecution earlier told the impeachment court that an anonymous “small lady” handed photocopies of Corona’s bank records. Several media outfits also reported the content of the alleged bank records.
“Ngayon maski media account pwede mo isubmit sa korte? Is this a government by media?” Santiago said.
She added that presenting evidence from an anonymous source is contemptuous, while submitting fake documents to court can be a basis for disbarment.
“Una sabi niyo may nagsabi sa amin na anonymous na babae. Pangalawa, may nabasa kami sa dyaryo. Tapos ngayon, it is our duty to bring it to the court?! Duty my foot! It is your liability! What a disgrace to the system!” said Santiago.
“Come on, wake up! We all know how politics is done is this country! If this is going to be a trial by publicity, perhaps we should ask for a change of venue, perhaps out of the country,” she said.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, however, assumed responsibility for granting the prosecution’s request for subpoena on the alleged bank records.
“I assume full responsibility for the issuance of subpoena. I’m ready to defend my position in any court of law,” said Enrile, sitting as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
He added, “Whether or not, in the end, this court committed grave abuse of discretion has to be decided by the Supreme Court being highest court of the land.”
Enrile also said the he is bound as presiding officer to respect the power of the SC to review acts of the impeachment court.
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