NOYNOY AIDES UNIMPRESSED BY CORONA TESTIMONY /
CORONA'S WALK OUT
MANILA, MAY 24,
2012 (INQUIRER) By Norman
Bordadora - Chief Justice Renato Corona may have been so moved by his own
testimony that he came close to breaking down twice but two aides of President
Benigno Aquino appeared unimpressed on Wednesday.
"We remain firm that Chief Justice Corona failed to controvert the evidence
against him in his opening speech," Abigail Valte, one of Aquino's
spokespersons, said in a text message.
"Nonetheless, we will wait if he submits himself to cross-examination so the
truth will come out," she added.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, on the other hand, would not
comment directly on Corona's condition that Senator Franklin Drilon and the 188
signatories of the impeachment complaint waive their rights under the bank
secrecy law before he opens his accounts for scrutiny by the impeachment
tribunal.
"We expected the chief justice to be cross-examined yesterday so that the
truth will come out but instead, truth suffered a lockdown," Lacierda said.
RAPPLER.COM REPORTS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED
Behind the scenes of Corona's walk out by Natashya
Gutierrez Posted on 05/23/2012 8:14 PM | Updated 05/23/2012 10:09 PM
MANILA, Philippines - What exactly happened on the day Chief Justice Renato
Corona took the stand?
Rappler goes behind the scenes and traces the steps of Corona from when he
arrived at the Senate to testify in his own impeachment trial, to his
confinement at Medical City.
1:30 pm: The arrival
Chief Justice Renato Corona arrives at the Senate with his wife, Cristina,
their son Francis, their daughter Carla Corona Castillo, and her husband
Constantino Castillo.
They pass through the back entrance and go straight to the second floor, the
same level as the Senate Hall, where the media is awaiting their arrival. The
family is led directly to the holding room where they stay until Corona takes
the witness stand.
2:18 pm: Corona takes the stand
Corona and family enter the Senate Hall. Corona takes the stand and asks for
permission to read his opening statement, which Presiding Officer Juan Ponce
Enrile allows.
Over the course of his 3-hour opening statement, two breaks are called: the
first to give Corona time to gain his composure after he gets emotional talking
about the accusations against him, and the second time, to prepare his
PowerPoint presentation showing his foreign accounts.
According to defense counsel Judd Roy III, he approached Corona each time a
suspension was called to check on him. He says he asked the Chief Justice both
times if he was okay, and if he needed anything. Because Corona had not eaten
anything over lunch (having suffered an "upset tummy"), Roy says he made it a
point to periodically ask Corona about his condition.
At the end of Corona's opening statement, he declares, "And now, the Chief
Justice of the Republic of the Philippines wishes to be excused." He then stands
up and leaves the Senate Hall despite Enrile and lead counsel Serafin Cuevas
calling for his return.
On his way out, Roy extends his hand to the Chief Justice for a handshake. He
and Cuevas later tell the media that like the rest of the defense and those in
the Hall, they were unsure of what was happening and actually thought he was
simply going to the bathroom.
5: 06 pm: The walkout, stand-off and the wheelchair
Corona leaves the Hall and walks straight towards the back exit with Cristina
by his side, assisted by Supreme Court security donned in blue. It is the same
exit they entered through.
When he gets to the hallway where the exit door is located, he is blocked by
Senate Sergeant-of-Arms Jose Balajadia, who acts upon Enrile's orders to "close
all doors."
Balajadia recounts the incident, saying he blocked the couple.
His first words to Corona are, "Sir, I'm sorry."
"Are you trying to arrest me?" Corona responds.
"You know very well in any court of law, any judge could order an arrest,"
says Balajadia.
At this point, Cristina interrupts angrily and asks, "Is this Martial
Law?"
Balajadia says he did not respond and stayed quiet after Cristina's question,
deciding instead to stay calm so as not to show his staff that the situation was
"heightened." He describes the situation as a "stand-off."
The sergeant-at-arms also says there was no mention by either of the Coronas
that the Chief Justice was not feeling well.
Meanwhile, Senate security closes all gates per Balajadia's instruction to
bar any vehicle from leaving the building.
The media flood the exit door at the basement where Corona's car is parked,
anticipating his departure. Corona's vehicle, a black Chevrolet Suburban with
red streamers on its antenna, drives towards the exit door and waits for the
Coronas.
It is unclear who exactly instructed the car to wait by the door, but
counsels say Corona's security may have alerted the driver as standard
procedure. "I-ready niyo na ang sasakyan, paalis na tayo," one is overheard as
saying. (Prepare the vehicle, we're about to leave). Media wait at the basement
until they are notified that Corona is no longer leaving.
Back upstairs, Roy is the first of the counsels to arrive on the scene, to
talk to Corona. His son Francis also follows.
"I wanted to find out what was going on," says Roy. According to him, Corona
repeatedly said, "I don't want to continue."
Roy says he was still confused then, thinking Corona just needed a break.
Senate security tells Roy that Corona cannot leave. Roy tries to calm Corona
down and convinces him to talk privately.
Balajadia instructs security to send the media away. Corona's children and
confused counsels Tranquil Salvador, Rico Quicho, and Ramon Esguerra also appear
to check in on the chief justice.
According to Roy, Constantino, a doctor, tells his father-in-law Corona that
his sugar must be low. This is the report that counsels take away, and pass on
to waiting media. At this point, Corona is given 3 Cokes to consume; he is
diabetic.
Roy says Corona told him that towards the end of his testimony, he started
feeling light-headed and clammy, and wanted to be excused because he felt like
vomiting.
Upon learning this, Roy enters the Executive Lounge, also on the same
hallway, where senator-judges are holding a mini-caucus to discuss their next
move after Corona's sudden walkout. Roy tells the Senate President, who he
describes as having been "understandably upset," that Corona is not feeling
well.
Enrile directs Roy to talk to Corona, and allows Roy's request to let Corona
rest for a few minutes. Roy says Enrile himself suggested that Corona be taken
to the clinic.
A wheelchair is brought to Corona, who sits down and is wheeled to the
clinic, also on the second floor.
Staff members tell Rappler that no examination is done on Corona, but he is
made to lie down and rest. Constantino tells media his father-in-law is
suffering from low blood sugar and high blood pressure, and was feeling dizzy
and having difficulty breathing on the witness stand.
Counsels take turns coming in and checking in on Corona.
According to Salvador, they tell him it is imperative he returns to the Hall,
that senator-judges are upset, and that he could be held in contempt otherwise.
Corona agrees to return and face the court.
6:06 pm: Corona comes back
Corona is wheeled back into the Hall and the trial resumes.
According to Roy, Corona wanted to apologize to the court for his abrupt
departure, but when Roy reaches for the microphone to hand it to Corona, he is
prohibited by Cuevas, who thinks Roy wants to make a manifestation.
The trial ends, with Corona being instructed by the court to return for
direct and cross-examination the next day.
7:07 pm: From the Hall to the hospital
Corona and his family leave the Senate building and head straight to Medical
City. They arrive at the hospital before 8 pm.
The Medical City medical bulletin says "shortness of breath, cold sweats, and
light-headedness" is the reason for the confinement, symptoms of
hypoglycemia.
He goes straight to the 15th floor where he is confined for the night.
11:00 pm: Still okay
Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez leaves Corona, and tells the media he
is still fine and in good shape to testify on Wednesday, May 23.
This is consistent with the medical report that says symptoms "appeared to
have been partially relieved when he ate."
About 1:00 am: Monitoring in place
Corona is transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for "close monitoring,"
because he is a "high risk" patient for a possible heart attack.
9:30 am: Cuevas visits
Cuevas visits Corona at the hospital in an attempt to speak to him and get
instructions. He sees Corona but is unable to speak to him, as he is still
sedated. He waits for two hours until he leaves at 11:30 am.
During his time there, at 10 am, Medical City doctors release a medical
bulletin and tell the media Corona will need to stay in the ICU for the next 48
hours.
2:10 pm: Last chance
Day 41 of the impeachment trial begins. Corona is absent.
Enrile tells his counsels they have until Friday for Corona to testify,
otherwise, both sides are ordered to close their cases and deliver their final
arguments on Monday, May 28.
The impeachment court renders a decision afterwards. - Rappler.com
COMPLETE PHOTO-NEWS REPORT:
http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/corona-trial/5844-behind-the-scenes-of-corona-s-walk-out
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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