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01/28/2012
For some, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s display of emotional outbursts during the last two consecutive impeachment proceedings may have already been too much.
But for Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, he could empathize with his colleague as she is known to be dealing with hypertension.
“All I can say is, we should be a bit understanding because she is suffering from some ailment. If you are in that condition, normally your threshold of stress is very shallow. All of a sudden, her blood pressure rises,” he said.
Yet, the upper chamber chief who is acting as presiding officer in the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, reminded senator-judges to remain composed and control their emotions during the proceedings.
“I would like to caution my colleagues to exercise greater civility with our witnesses, with the lawyers on both sides as well as with one another in the Senate.
“As much as possible, we should control our emotions so that we can perform our worth in such a manner that there is no impression that we are for or against anyone,” he said.
Santiago berated lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas and private prosecutor Arthur Lim during Tuesday’s trial.
Santiago rebuked Tupas after he failed to give an answer as to how many witnesses they intend to present in the trial, responding that he would have first consult with their team leader.
Lim, on the other hand, was also given a lecturing by Santiago on proper decorum during the impeachment trial and this took place anew last Thursday when the former attempted to debate with her after she noted the inclusion in the presentation of information on graft and corruption as this is not clearly stipulated in Article 2 of the Articles of Impeachment.
“First question to you, are you charging the respondent under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act?” Santiago asked.
“Your honors, may I be permitted to point out, first of all...,” replied Lim.
“Why do you have to point out? Yes or no? I am tired of hearing ur voice,” the senator-judge said.
“Yes but the allegations of the complaint determine the jurisdiction of the court over the case your honor,” Lim retorted.
“Do not override me! We’ve already heard that on your pleadings. You’ve said that in your motion for subpoena, in ur memorandum. Do not be sententious because every hour counts. Madali lang naman sagutin itong pagtatanong na ito. Ito bang respondent ay binibintangan mo ng anti-graft and corrupt practices act? Yes or no?” she asked to which the private prosecutor answered by saying that it can be found in the verified complaint.
“Absolutely I can read. Give me the presumption literacy and don’t ever over step yourself. Do not engage in a colloquy with me. As I pointed out during the start of the impeachment trial you are not supposed to discuss or argue during an impeachment trial, especially when you are speaking to an impeachment judge,” she said.
Lim then asked if they can answer the question the way they feel it should be answered, he received a mouthful from the senator-judge, reminding him that he should respond according to the rules of court as determined by the Senate acting as an impeachment court.
When Lim attempted to smart from the situation by seeking for the specific provision in the rules “for our guidance,” Santiago already threatened to disqualify him from the proceedings.
“The Constitution allows the Senate to promulgate its own rules of procedure. That has been repeated in this instance and this is the end of the colloquy! How dare you raise questions to my authority. Be careful because I might request my colleagues to inhibit you and disqualify you from appearing here,” she said.
Enrile, then intervened, to caution Lim from further earning the ire of his colleague.
“I would like to explain that the non-elected members of the Senate as well as the House of Representatives can argue among themselves but not to argue against any elected member of Congress because there’s a parliamentary tradition involved in this. Only elected members of the people can use this forum to argue with one another,” Enrile said.
Santiago’s blood pressure was reported to have shoot up and was read at 180/190. She had to excuse herself from the proceedings after she had herself checked up by the Senate resident physician.
Enrile said there is no specific rule or guidelines that senator-judges should follow in questioning the witnesses and lawyers from both the prosecution and defense panels.
“You cannot guide them for asking questions. They can ask leading questions, they can ask vague questions if they want,” he said.