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[av_heading heading=’Enrile eyed as prosecutor in Sereno impeachment trial ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Monday, March 12, 2018
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MANILA – Former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile was being eyed as one of the private prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
Enrile was being considered due to his experience in presiding over a similar trial of Renato Corona, the first Philippine chief justice to be impeached and convicted, in 2012.
“Kasama ring kino-consider si Enrile as part of the prosecution team,” House of Representatives Committee on Justice chairman Reynaldo Umali told Super Radyo dzBB yesterday. “Siya naman ay available para tumulong sa prosecution.”
Enrile would be a big help to the prosecution especially that they will deal with allegations on statements of assets, liabilities and net worth, or SALN – the same issue for which Corona was impeached – said Umali.
Sereno was accused of, among others, having a lavish lifestyle while failing to disclose her income fully.
The House was still in the process of constituting the prosecution team but its current focus was the creation of the Articles of Impeachment, Umali said.
“Basta ang guidelines, or iyong criteria as a prosecutor, kailangan abogado,” said the congressman. “Marami naman kaming abogado, 40 mahigit ang abogado namin, kaya I’m sure there are a lot of congressmen that can be part of the prosecution team.”
“Pangalawa, dapat merong litigation experience para hindi masyadong minamaliit kami na porke kami ay congressmen, kami ay mga walang binatbat. Preferably, merong experience sa impeachment,” he added.
Last Thursday the House justice committee found probable cause in the impeachment complaint filed against Sereno.
Following a 38-2 vote among House panel members, all committee vice chairpersons were constituted as a small body tasked to draft the committee report. The panel will meet on March 14 when the draft committee report will be voted on./PN
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