Fun online at Corona’s trial

Buena Bernal

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Notwithstanding the historic importance of the impeachment trial, young netizens still had fun online

MANILA, Philippines – As the historic impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona unfolded on national television, young Filipinos jumped into the bandwagon of opinionated spectators.

Some were biased, some made allusions to legal procedure, some mixed just the right amount of wit and sarcasm.

Overall, the impeachment proceedings, dubbed by many as “Coronovela,” prompted comments in the virtual world with great entertainment value. Those who tuned in to the closing arguments of the prosecution and defense teams Monday, May 29, were no exception.

We compiled some amusing tweets that reacted to the top comical moments of Monday’s final arguments.

Farinas’ palusot

Congressman Rudy Fariñas of the first district of Ilocos Norte spoke in the vernacular and said that he could summarize Corona’s defense in a single word: palusot, meaning, questionable or doubtful excuses to justify his/her offenses.

In his speech, Fariñas cited evidence obtained through the trial that show CJ Corona is indeed a palusot.

Young netizens reacted to this:


When JPE asked what ‘culpa’ is

The speech of lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas, for most part, defended the validity and constitutionality of RA 6426, also known as the Foreign Currency Deposit Act of the Philippines. The said law was Corona’s defense for the non-disclosure of his dollar accounts.

This part of Cuevas’ speech was heavily commended for its rationality and legal soundness.

Ateneo School of Government dean Tony La Viña tweeted: “Powerful argument again by the defense. Justice Cuevas does not disappoint in this respect.”

What brought Cuevas to a moment of hilarity, however, was when Presiding Officer Juan Ponce Enrile’s asked at the end of the closing arguments, “What is culpa?”

A perplexed Cuevas, unsure of his answer, said that he might have been absent when the subject was discussed in school.

Young netizens, mostly law students, reminisced recitations back in school. Some of them mentioned class reports wherein they had to discuss the concept of “culpa” under Criminal Law.

Nobody, nobody, nobody

Defense lawyer Dennis Manalo started off his speech on a serious note, saying he intended to put his arguments in proper context of the law. But then the stern Manalo pronounced a familiar line for most pop culture fans, “Nobody, nobody, nobody!”

Here is how online youth reacted:

Belmonte’s cuteness

There was nothing greatly hilarious in House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte’s speech, but young netizens adored him for how cute he looked speaking from the podium.

Amidst the supposed weight of this historic event, this generation of young ones still found a way to have fun. – With reports from Maan Nitura, Matthew Balicudiong, Jirah Suyo/Rappler.com

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