Editorial cartoon by Vincent Go
AN impeachment trial is the perfect platform for lawyers to show off their skills.
More than 10 years ago, the country witnessed legal eagles in action as they prosecuted then President Joseph Estrada at his impeachment trial. Among those who stood out: Then congressman Joker Arroyo who later became senator, and private prosecutor Simeon Marcelo who would become Ombudsman.
On Day 2 of the current impeachment process, Filipinos saw another generation of prosecutors trying to make a case, this time against Chief Justice Renato Corona. But so far, there still is no sign that there are any Joker Arroyos and Simeon Marcelos in the present crop of prosecutors.
Instead, the country saw the likes of Cavite Rep. Elipidio Barzaga, arguing that out of the eight articles of impeachment, the prosecution would start, not with Article 1 but with Article 2, and then admitting they were unprepared.
Article 2 accused Corona of failure to disclose properties in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), while Article 1 charged him with being partial to former president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Prosecutors said Article 2 was a matter of urgent public interest, since reports of Corona’s undisclosed properties had swamped the media in the last few days.
Barzaga admitted that the evidence they had on hand was nothing more than computer printouts from the Land Registration Authority (LRA) on Corona’s assets, and that they had no witness to authenticate the evidence.
The Senate decided to adjourn barely two hours after it started, as Barzaga hinted the prosecution needed a postponement to get its act (or its evidence) together.– Luz Rimban