Cite prosecutors in contempt, lawyer asks Senate

MANILA, Philippines – Calling them thirsty for media exposure, a lawyer asked the Senate to cite for contempt the members of the prosecution panel in the impeachment case of Chief Justice Renato Corona for divulging evidence on his alleged ill-gotten wealth to the public.

Fernando Perito said Representatives Niel Tupas, Miro Quimbo, Raul Daza, and other members of the House of Representatives prosecution panel violated the impeachment rules when they held a press conference last week to present evidence against Corona. In that press conference, they showed documents pertaining to Corona’s condominium unit in Taguig City which he allegedly did not declare in his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth.

Section 18 of the impeachment rules prohibits senator-judges, the accused, and members of the prosecution and defense panels from making public comments and disclosures on the merits of the case.

“It is to movant’s dismay coupled with outrage and indignation that this bunch of prosecutors … would be conspiring with impunity in their relentless thirst for media exposures to demonize their prey, the Chief Justice,” Perito wrote in his urgent motion.

“Tupas who has the cuteness to always announce in a very ‘mild voice’ must indeed be restrained from talking too much henceforth,” he said. “This bunch of eager prosecutors should be cited for indirect contempt of court even as they be ordered to stop from poisoning the public with their now awkward position. It only reflected the weakness of their evidence though they persist.”

Perito, who claims to be a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, said he was acting in his private capacity and was not sent by any group associated with Corona. – Rappler.com