Lacierda says Cuevas an 'avid gossip fan'
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino is allegedly convincing senator-judges one by one to vote against Chief Justice Renato Corona in his impeachment trial.
Former Associate Justice Serafin Cuevas, Corona's lead counsel, said they are alarmed over this report.
He said senators can be approached by the President and vote against what they really feel.
He said it is a big issue if the President talks to them.
"Malaki ang pangamba namin dyan dahil ang mga senador ay tao rin lamang. Maaari pong sa mga pag-approach ni Presidente, kung anuman ang nasa isip nila, hindi maging tunay na damdamin nila at pasiya depende na rin sa ebidensiya. Hindi lang maari -- malaking bagay na kausapin sila ng Presidente," Cuevas said.
Malacañang has dismissed the report as mere gossip.
"I didn't know the esteemed retired justice is an avid gossip fan," Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a text message to ABS-CBN News.
3 Corona spokespersons named
Meanwhile, the chief justice has named three spokespersons for his trial -- Integrated Bar of the Philippines general counsel and former Justice Undersecretary Ramon Esguerra, former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay Law School dean Tranquil Salvador, and Harvard-educated lawyer Karen Jimeno.
They will also be part of Corona's defense team.
Former Ateneo Law School Dean Eduardo delos Angeles faced ABS-CBN News and denied he has resigned from the team.
He said he is willing to help the defense team until the case ends. "Nandito ako sa defense team para tumulong kay Chief Justice... hanggang matapos," he said.
Lawyer Ernesto Francisco Jr. and former Court of Appeals Justice Hector Hofileña, meanwhile, withdrew from Corona's defense panel.
Hofileña confirmed this, saying he withdrew out of delicadeza because his son works in the law firm of Attorney Mario Bautista -- the lead private prosecutor for the impeachment case.
Hofileña, however, clarified that he still supports the chief justice.
Cuevas said Francisco withdrew to avoid any controversy since he handled the C5 road case, which accused Senator Manny Villar, now one of the senator-judges, of benefiting from the project.
"Hindi antipatiko sa amin. Hindi galit sa amin. Walang sama ng loob, wala kaming utang na babayaran," Cuevas said. - ANC
