DEFENSE MAY FILE RAPS VS BANAL, TUPAS
AND UMALI
[TUPAS]
MANILA, FEBRUARY 18, 2012 (ABS-CBN) Chief Justice Renato Corona's
lawyers may file charges against several congressmen over the alleged bank
records they obtained in connection with his impeachment trial in the Senate.
The prosecution, however, has dismissed the possible move, saying Corona's
lawyers should instead focus on answering the allegations in the impeachment
complaint.
Corona's defense lawyers were surprised over the twist in the impeachment
trial involving Quezon City Rep. Jorge Banal.
One of his spokesmen accused the congressman of violating the bank secrecy
law and the Foreign Currency Deposit Act.
"Dapat dinala sa korte hindi sa bangko," said Atty. Rico Quicho.
The defense team added that Banal's claim that the documents were left at the
gate of his home is unbelievable.
They also doubt that the prosecution did not know that Banal had the
documents.
[PHOTO - CORONA DEFENSE LAWYERS JIMENO, SALVADOR, QUICHO]
The defense team is now considering filing criminal charges against Banal,
Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., Rep. Reynaldo Umali, and others who may be involved in the
leakage of the alleged Corona bank records.
They may also file complaints against the congressmen before the House ethics
committee.
"Ang dami nilang kuwento, ano ba talaga, kuya? Imposible naman na hindi sila
nagco-coordinate sa mga hawak nilang ebidensiya," Quicho said.
The prosecution panel is unfazed, saying Corona's lawyers only want to divert
the public's attention.
"Lubayan nyo na si Banal, harapin niyo na lang ang kaso ni Corona at kung
paano nyo papatunayang inosente siya," said Rep. Miro Quimbo, spokesperson of
the prosecution team.
Malacañang also sees nothing wrong with Banal seeking help from Philippine
Savings Bank.
The Palace added that Banal proved that the prosecution is united in
strengthening the case against Corona.
Meanwhile, Senator-judge Gringo Honasan said the impeachment court may be
spending too much time determining the authenticity of the documents.
Honasan said they should be focusing on the merits of the impeachment
complaint.
On Monday, senator-judges will meet in a caucus to tackle the prosecution's
explanation on how they got hold of the documents. - report
from Jing Castañeda, ABS-CBN News; ANC
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
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