Palace to allow BSP officials to testify in Corona trial

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang will allow officials of the Bangko Sentral to testify at the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona if so required by the Senate  to shed light on the alleged leak of bank documents, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

“Well, if the senators will require it [we will allow them]. We have no problem with them summoning officials of the Executive,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a news briefing.

When asked, Valte said that the concern raised by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada about the leakage of the bank document to the media and the prosecution –regardless of its authenticity–”is a valid question” that “can properly be addressed by the bank officials themselves.”

Valte also said that the Aquino administration continues to believe in the fairness of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in conducting the impeachment trial.

“We believe that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile continues to conduct the impeachment trial as presiding officer with fairness to both parties,” Valte said, when asked for Malacanang’s comment on Enrile’s conduct of the trial.

On the reported plot to unseat Enrile, Valte said that the rumor has been disavowed by the senators themselves and as far as the Aquino administration is concerned, it has a “good relationship” with the Senate President.”

“The leadership of the Senate is an internal matter. It’s a matter internal to the senators who they wish to be their Senate President. But, from where we sit, what we have said is that we have always had a good relationship with the Senate President,” she said. – Rappler.com