Day 2 of the Impeachment: Score for the Defense?
By TheAdvocate
@TheAdvocate (2392)
Philippines
January 17, 2012 9:04pm CST
So I continue the saga that is the Corona impeachment ...
The prosecution asked for a subpoena to compel the Corona family, inlcuding the in-laws, to testify. This was denied by the impeachment court on the ground that the accused has the right against self-incrimination while the wife and the children and even in-laws cannot be compelled to testify against the husband/father/father-in-law. The prosecutors appeared stumped and stood their with confused faces and open mouths. Sen. Cayetano came to their rescue and argued, but the voting upheld the decision of Sen. Enrile.
They started with Article 2 because as the prosecutor bragged, they have the right to determine the order. Asked why they did not start sequentially, he launched into an off-tangent speech. When they finally started presenting, they asked for continuance because they only had computer-generated forms (?).
Personally, I was disappointed with their performance on the second day. One would expect that they should at least be ready on the first day. They could not even argue intelligently on the denial of the motions. And once they finally started, they stopped because they were unprepared?! Their lack of trial experience is showing. Is the prosecution going to lose because of their own ineptitude?
So how do you rate the performances of both sides as of Day 2?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@stuckonu (726)
• Philippines
18 Jan 12
As I don't really watch the proceedings, I'm not in the position to rate any of them. But according to the news last night, the ordinary Filipinos (like me) doesn't care about this impeachment trial. For me it's a living proof of the Filipino saying "Ang magnanakaw ay galit sa kapwa magnanakaw," (Thieves are mad against their fellow thieves). These "judges" are also politicians who have definitely, one way or another, stolen something out of the national fund. Although of course, if they want to put in trial all the corrupt officials, no one will be qualified to judge them.
1 person likes this
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
31 Jan 12
I can't blame you, it's what we Filipinos call "malayo sa bituka" (far from the stomach), thus the understandable apathy. Add to the fact that it's in English, it becomes so far removed that listening to the impeachment can sometimes feel like you're drowning. However, the connection for me is the system of justice that we have, and how it has been transformed into justice for the rich. We all have our experiences with the law, be it small or big, and if we cannot have a credible CJ, I don't think that the ordinary Juan will turn to the courts for justice, which should be our last resort. That's why its important that there should be closure on this issue.
@leon3000502000 (1564)
• Philippines
19 Jan 12
i agree with you, i know that all of them are guilty not only chief justice Corona. although not all are corrupt but most are. whether it is small or big it is still corruption.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
18 Jan 12
If I would give the prosecution a score, I am giving them a failing mark for coming to the proceedings unprepared. It is a pity that they have to fumble at the proceedings when they are up against the best lawyers of the country and a former chief justice at that. They should have prepared because they know they are facing Justice Serafin Cuevas. Today is the 3rd day and I hope something good comes out of it and not another postponement. I will reserve future comments for tomorrow.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
18 Jan 12
The 3rd day was another disappointing day. The prosecution cannot get their act together. They needed Senator Franklin Drilon to do the job for them and the unwavering decision of the Senate President Enrile to finally get the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. I pity attorney Vidal for undergoing this experience but she stood up to the task on hand. I hope the prosecution will be better prepared for the job they had to do.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
26 Jan 12
My initial plan was to make regular updates here at mylot. However, after the second day, I was so disappointed with the prosecution's performance and rehashing them here seemed like a pointless exercise. It's now Day 7 (starting later) and they have not improved. They just keep on bungling, and even Sen. Enrile said that their lack of trial experience is showing. All they do is grandstand all day long and sad to say, they are making it a trial by publicity.
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
20 Jan 12
Yeah I have high expectation with the prosecution team as well but I was disappointed that they were just good at presenting the evidence to the press but in the actual trial they were hardly able to defend their case against the onslaught of the defense team. And one thing that disappointed me is that it seems like some senators are the one doing their job here since there are many instances that the senator judges are the one interrogating more than the prosecution team is doing it.
I am a bit biased here since at the very start of Corona's appointment I can smell there is indeed something wrong with it but then I guess his appointment might just be upheld because of the technicalities of many things and all allegations will be disproved because of the prosecution's lack of experience in prosecuting or impeaching someone.
@blungel0830 (841)
• Philippines
25 Jan 12
If the prosecutors are those who are supposedly defending the truth and/or what is right then it is not so much which side they are on but as to their ability to defend the side they are on. It is sad that with the incompetence that they have so far shown, the defense might win this one and Corona would remain in office as protector of the Arroyos instead of the Constitution and the country.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
18 Jan 12
Hello Theadvocate, I feel for you there, and for this day I have watch as if Novice Prosecutors against Veteran Defense Lawyer who happened to be former Chief Justice. but As I watch the Senate hearing today regarding this situation, I sense the prosecution to handle the situation and it seemed the defense has the upper hand
.The prosecutors needed to organized with each other
.The prosecutors needed to organized with each other@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
31 Jan 12
Hello LK. Yes, it's a bit frustrating seeing the prosecutors blunder around like drunken sailors. I cannot condone the way they come to court so unprepared and yet they perform for the cameras all the time. Why can't they prepare for court the same way they prepare for trial? It's like watching a massacre before your eyes.
