Senator Tito Sotto reads a motion by the prosecution for the issuance of a subpoena ad testificandum and a subpoena duces tecum addressed to Chief Justice Corona, his wife, children and children-in-law.
Senator Sotto also reads the objection on record of the respondent Corona.
He then asks the presiding officer, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to rule on the motion.
And Enrile says, “… if there are no objections…”
Huh? Didn’t Senator Sotto read that there was an objection on record? Was Enrile listening? Didn’t he read the documents on record before the session started?
Respondent’s counsel Serafin Cuevas (I can feel him giggling silently — I know the guy, he was my teacher) says he already has an objection on record.
Oh, wow. The day is starting funnily enough. But it gets worse.
Elementary, my dear Watson
So the ruling on the motion on the issuance of a subpoena ad testificandum and a subpoena duces tecum was read. Naturally, the motion was denied. How can the prosecution dream of compelling Corona and his family to produce documents and testify as prosecution witnesses. Right against self-incrimination. Very elementary.
So now, Senator Alan Cayetano is saying the motion should be granted and the right against self-incrimination can be invoked whenever a self-incriminatory answer is elicited. Aha! Isn’t that splitting hairs since all the people against whom the subpoenas are meant to be directed are already named as beneficiaries, directly or indirectly, of the alleged ill-gotten wealth?
Moreover, since the ruling of the impeachment court was read and OBVIOUSLY promulgated BEFORE the session started, why raise the objection now? That should have been raised before the ruling was promulgated and before the entire impeachment court accepted it.
Gee, even the prosecution already submitted to the ruling (apparently expecting it already). So what is Cayetano doing — taking on the role of lead counsel of the prosecution?
Truth is, Alan Peter Cayetano has done this kind of TV camera grandstanding before when he was still a member of the Lower House and there was a debate before the impeachment of then President Gloria Arroyo was put to a vote.
We really need to pass an the anti-epal bill into law and include grandstanding dramas like this.
When there are no more cue cards
Yesterday and today, Majority Floor Leader Tito Sotto had been performing his role efficiently by reading pre-prepared statements. When he read about the motion for the issuance of a subpoena ad testificandum and a subpoena duces tecum, he not-so-subtly stumbled in mouthing ad testificandum the first time. He had recovered when he had to read the Latin phrase a second time.
Presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile responded to Cayetano’s “objection” by putting the matter to a vote. The senators, at large, will now vote whether to allow the issuance of a subpoena ad testificandum and a subpoena duces tecum. Enrile directs Sotto to call a vote. And Sotto looks surprised and lost. He says if the body agrees to take a vote then they will take a vote? And he smiles uncomfortably. And there is audible giggling in the gallery.
About Rep. Bargaza
The day’s coup de grâce, as it were. I was so surprised to read that he’s a lawyer. So, so surprised. Enough said.
Last updated at 5.20 p.m.
