OLIVAR: LIARS AND BULLIES AT IMPEACH TRIAL
MANILA, FEBRUARY 16, 2012
(STANDARD) Here is most of the text of the now-famous
press statement by the impeachment defense panel at their press conference in
Club Filipino last Sunday:
"Yesterday we received very reliable information that Executive
Secretary Paquito Ochoa, acting in behalf of President Benigno Aquino III, was
personally contacting and phoning Senator-Judges to persuade or pressure them to
defy the TRO issued by Supreme Court in favor of PS Bank.
"We condemn, in the strongest terms, the efforts of the President to
undermine the constitutional process that he himself initiated. Chief Justice
Corona willingly participated with good faith, with belief that he will have a
fair trial. It is now apparent that the President is bent on convicting CJ
Corona at all costs. This is confirmed by a recent announcement of plans of the
House of Representatives, acting in concert with the President, to impeach other
members of the Supreme Court. As we have stated from the very beginning, this
case is but a plan to subjugate the Supreme Court.
"As lawyers, we in the defense team are duty-bound to defend the Constitution
and the independence of the judiciary. This morning, several newspapers carried
banner headlines that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has
called upon all concerned to observe the rule of law by respecting the processes
of the judiciary, especially by the Supreme Court. We hope that this will
galvanize those who still believe to adhere to the rule of law and not succumb
to sheer brute political power.
"[Translated from Filipino] Our democracy is now in danger. We have reached
the point where the President himself is ignoring the Constitution and inciting
others to ignore and disobey lawful orders by the highest court of the land.
"Mister President, we ask you to give us in the defense the
opportunity to present our evidence, following the impeachment process that you
initiated and that is spelled out by the Constitution. If you're bothered by
those bank accounts, please be patient, Mister President. They will be opened by
the Chief Justice himself in due course, because he has nothing to hide.
"Relax, Mister President. Please don't ask the Senator-Judges and the Chief
Justice to violate the law the way your subordinates are regularly asked to do.
Please try to be a better example to our people; defend the independence of our
institutions instead of trying to destroy them."
The reactions of outrage from the President's minions were predictable.
Listening to some of them over radio, I was reminded of how a gang of bullies
might react if their victim suddenly starts punching them back. Some samples
(translated from Filipino where needed):
From lead prosecutor Congressman Niel "Iloilo Mansions" Tupas:
• "The defense has no respect for the senators and the impeachment process"
(although the Tupas gang regularly defies the Senate President's gag order
against conducting an outside trial by publicity).
• "The defense should have evidence before coming out with accusations"
(although the prosecution regularly conducts a "dynamite fishing expedition" to
make up for their ill-prepared and unconstitutionally-filed charges).
• "The defense should explain themselves in order not to be cited for
contempt" (although the accusations by the defense lawyers were directed against
the ones offering the bribes from the Palace, not the intended recipients among
the senators).
From prosecution spokesman Rep. Miro Quimbo:
• "This is just a desperate move by the defense because they're already being
cornered" (but the defense hasn't even begun to present its case yet!)
From Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda:
• "The senators are elected officials. We would not even dream of influencing
them by offering P100 Million" (although it's common knowledge that the Palace
likewise suborned the elected officials in the Lower House who agreed to
impeach, not only the Chief Justice, but earlier the former Ombudsman as well).
And my favorite one of all, from Deputy Minority Leader Congressman
Erin Tanada:
• "The defense should accept whatever may be the decision of the impeachment
trial" (as if Erin's camp is not already organizing for "people power" in the
event the CJ is acquitted, through their brownshirts among the Black & White
movement, the Leftist party-listers, and the Roxas-Drilon crowd within the
Liberal Party).
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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