On May 7, the Senate sitting as an impeachment court resumes the trial of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona. The defense team is expected to continue its presentation of witnesses and evidence in a bid to debunk the arguments of the prosecution, who have accused Corona of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
Despite protestations by Chief Justice Renato Corona’s lawyers, the Ombudsman has the power to probe the impeached magistrate for his alleged irregular wealth, Senate President and impeachment court presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile said over the weekend.
In an interview on dzBB radio Sunday, Enrile said Corona, like any government employee, can be slapped charges by the Ombudsman, “impeachment or no impeachment.”
“Basta may kaso, impeachment or no impeachment, they can file a case against anybody who is a government employee. Basahin ninyo ang Article 11, powers of the Ombudsman,” he said.
