Press Release
December 14, 2011

Transcript of DZRH Interview of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile

On the Impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona

Q: Itanong natin ang magiging procedures po mamaya sa inyong pag-convene as Impeachment Court para dito sa trial kay Chief Justice Renato Corona. Hihingin po naming ang inyong pahayag tungkol dito sa gagawing trial...

SP: Alam mo, kaninang umaga, inumpisahan na namin. Sinagot ko na 'yung reference nung Articles of Impeachment sa Senado at sinabi ko na handa ang Senado na tatanggap dun sa mga abogado ng Camara de Representantes ng Pilipinas, House of Representatives, at 2:00 on January 16, 2012. 'Yun ang proseso. Then, mamayang hapon, pagkatapos ng legislative calendar namin, kinalendar na naming 'yung Articles of Impeachment. Then, we will convert ourselves into an Impeachment Court so that we can issue the necessary orders and summonses on the parties and inform them that we will start the trial on January 16 at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Q: Sir, 'yun pong summons, how many days po ang ibibigay ninyo sa panel ni Corona at sa panel ng prosecution?

SP: Sa ilalim ng aming Rules, 10 araw, non-extendible, to answer the Articles of Impeachment at isasama namin dun sa summon 'yung kopya nung Articles of Impeachment. After the answer is filed, we then notify the parties and will have five days to reply. So that's 15 days.

Q: So after 15 days, sir, dun na po 'yung trial proper?

SP: After 15 days, we will set the date of the trial. These are actually, in effect what, I anticipated in my letter to the House of Representatives. That we will formally convene also as an Impeachment Court at 2:00 at January 16 and then we will set the date of trial.

Q: So mga ilang buwan po kaya ang aabutin nito, based on the eight counts or eight articles?

SP: It depends upon the speed and preparedness and quantum of evidence that will be presented by the House of Representatives and the presentation of the respondent.

Q: And the witnesses, sir?

SP: May mga direct examination 'yan, cross-examination, redirect, re-cross, marami 'yan.

Q: Sir, ilang minuto magtatanong ang mga senator judges?

SP: Kagaya rin noong araw. Two minutes ata, two minutes.

Q: So how about para maiwasan 'yung katulad nang nangyari kay Erap noong impeachment trial na lumabas yung mga prosecutors, nagwalk-out?

SP: Hindi pwede 'yun.

Q: Anong babala niyo, sir?

SP: I will cite them for contempt if they will do that and I will order the closure of the door of the Senate.

Q: Kasi noong panahon ng Erap impeachment, nag-arbiter judge si Chief Justice Hilario Davide. Ngayon na ang malilitis itong si Chief Justice Renato Corona, dito naman ang tatayong judge...

SP: Ako ang magiging chairman ng Senate as Senate President to supervise the hearing.

Q: Sir, may mga senador na pabor sa impeachment ni Corona sa Lower House, napaka-vocal po nila. Ano po ang mangyayari sa kanila?

SP: Well, we already assume that they will be voting against the respondent but that does not mean that we can deny their right to participate. If there's anybody who wants to challenge their impartiality, which I doubt, they're free to challenge the impartiality of the senators questioned. It's up to the senators mentioned if they could exercise impartiality, fairness, in the course of the hearings. That's addressed to them. We cannot control them, deny their right to participate.

Q: Ilang boto ang kailangan ng Senado para ma-impeach ng tuluyan si Chief Justice?

SP: Labing-anim, 2/3 of the Senate. 24 kami so 2/3 is 16.

Q: May lumalabas po na report na control na ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino ang Lehislatura, gustong kontrolin ang Hudikatura at ngayon naman sa Senado. Kung hindi mapatalsik si Chief Justice Renato Corona baka manganib ang pwesto ninyo bilang Senate President, ano ang reaksyon ninyo dito?

SP: Ako, handang-handang mapalitan simula ng maupo ako noong 2008, everyday inaantay ko ang kapalit ko.

Q: Ibibigay ninyo ng maluwag?

SP: Oo. I will welcome any replacement.

Q: Apo Johnny 16 ang kailangan na boto?

SP: Labing-anim ang kailangang bumoto kontra sa nai-impeach para tanggalin. Kung wala 'yun, the impeachment will not prosper.

Q: Nag-declare po ang mga korte natin ng Black Wednesday bilang suporta kay Chief Justice Corona...

SP: Well, you have to expect that because they are members of the court. They are members of a co-equal, independent, separate branch of government and we have to be patient and understanding enough.

Q: Wala naman po silang nilalabag...

SP: Wala naman as long as they do it peacefully.

Q: Dito sa Senate, welcome rin po ang mga rallyist?

SP: Welcome ang mga rallyist dito basta peaceful. Walang problema 'yan.

Q: Can the Impeachment Court motu proprio ask the senator to inhibit?

SP: Pwede 'yun na hihilingin nila pero nasa individual senator kaya nga motu proprio.

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