News Update Impeachment court serves summons against Corona

he Senate, sitting as an the impeachment court, on Thursday served summons against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona to answer the charges against him. Corona, who was impeached by the House of Representatives on Monday for alleged graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust, was given 10 days or until Christmas Day to rebut those charges in the Articles of Impeachment. Under the rules of the impeachment court, Corona does not have the luxury of having the Dec. 25 deadline extended. Impeachment court presiding officer Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ordered Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia Jr. "to deliver to and leave with Chief Justice Renato C. Corona…” the written writ of summons. Corona is widely associated with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest for alleged poll fraud during the 2007 elections. Arroyo appointed him to the high court in April 2002, and named him Chief Justice in May last year, just weeks before she stepped down from the presidency. "What I received is the sealed documents and the instruction from the Senate President to give the documents [to] the Office of the Chief Justice Corona. If he can receive it, he will receive it. If he cannot, anybody who is responsible in his office to receive these documents," Balajadia told reporters in an interview Thursday. The writ was received by Rogelio Jubilo Jr. of the Office of the SC Chief Justice at 4:10 p.m. Thursday or about forty minutes after Balajadia left the Senate. President Aquino has never fully recognized Corona's legitimacy, saying this was a violation of a constitutional ban on so-called "midnight appointments" by an outgoing leader. Aquino won on a platform of good governance, and has vowed to correct the alleged abuses of the past administration. See the timeline here. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives transmitted the Articles of impeachment to the Senate. By Wednesday, the Senate convened as an impeachment court. It will resume session on Jan. 16, 2012 but the trial proper is expected to begin on a later date. Corona prepares for trial Corona is now preparing to face the impeachment court after receiving the summons served by the Senate. In an interview on GMA News’ “24 Oras,” SC spokesperson Midas Marquez said that the Chief Justice is carefully selecting lawyers for his defense team, and that retired justices could be part of it. Corona could also go on leave amid preparations for his defense. “Kung tingin niya ay hindi na niya nagagampanan ang kanyang trabaho nang ayon sa saligang batas, ako’y nakaksigurado na siya mismo ang unang unang magpa-file ng leave of absence,” Marquez said. The prosecution will meet next week to prepare for the trial, according to “24 Oras.” The 11-member prosecution is now only 10 after Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo was removed as the spokesperson. Lead prosecutor Iloilo Rep. Neil Tupas said they are building a strong case. “Malayo pa naman, may isang buwan pa. Ngayon malakas na yung kaso, magiging malakas yan lalo na pag lumalapit na yung resumption ng session,” he noted. There are also strong testimonies from a team of witnesses against Corona, “24 Oras” reported, citing prosecutor Rep. Neri Colmenares. “May mga testigo kami na makakatulong, malaking tulong, in fact, sa pag prosecute kay CJ Corona.” — With a report by Amanda Lago/LBG/VS