The ‘trial of the
century’ opens

Well, the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona opened yesterday. It took off with a somber note of propriety and solemnity contrary to the previous expectation that it could blow up into a raucous political square off.

Of course, the next few months may determine whether the entire process will end before March or after.

But no gainsaying that the eyes of the entire nation will remain focused on the hearing with the caliber of the country’s top lawyers for both the prosecution and the defense ranged against one another.

Justice Corona, himself, surprised the majority of observers with his appearance at the start of the Senate proceedings.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile set the tone of the trial by intoning in a statesmanlike tone the articles of impeachment which the House of Representative had submitted to the Senate, the body that will handle the impeachment trial.

And Enrile stressed that, although the trial is not according to the usual judicial rules, still he stressed that the members of the Senate will conduct it impartially and with complete observance of the rule of law and human rights.

There were already a lot of circulation as to the possible outcome of the trial – the ouster or retention of Coruna as chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Two members of the Senate absented themselves from the opening session. Those were Senator Loren Legarda who said she was in the United States to accompany family members for an important medical reason. The other was Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. There was no explanation from her to explain her absence.

Based on the initial impression of what is going to happen, one can only surmise that the proceeding may actually last longer than had been anticipated or predicted by some legal luminaries.

Former Senator Ernesto Maceda, however, said if it lasts much longer than had been anticipated, that may mean that there may be doubts on the minds of some senator on whether Corona actually is responsible for the charges brought against him.

Be that as it may, one thing sure is that the impeachment trial may draw public attention to the Senate and the proceedings. It is a major show that is important for the public, although, as pointed out by a TV Anchor, a lot of ordinary people did not even know who Corona was.

So, all we can do is sit and watch the proceedings.

***

Well, February is the honeymoon month. And, for Negros Occidental, it may mean a bonanza with the start of the Bacolod Silay Airport Access Road project worth P404-million. This, according to Rep. Alfred Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District).

Benitez said to be constructed is a 10.12 kilometer two lane road that will include six bridges, seven intersections, drainage and slope protection structures, reports said.

This project, he reportedly said, will boost the urbanization of Metro Bacolod and the third district of the province.

Hanji Heavy Industries and Construction Co. won the bidding for the project last November 2011. Work will start February 14 and is targeted to be completed by April 13, 2013, Benitez said in the reports.

How many locals will be employed in the project remains to be seen. But normally a project of such magnitude could provide job opportunities for many Negrenses.

One possible innovation will be the access road project which will start at the tip of the Bacolod Circumferential Road. It will traverse several sugarcane plantations in Talisay City and reach Bagtik in Silay City.

That will reduce traffic congestion in the north coastal road and reduce travel time between the airport and Bacolod City, said Benitez.

Well, mabuhay.

***

Police should solve the problem fast insofar as their apprehension of a Kabankalan businessman who claimed to be a police colonel.

The businessman was identified by Supt. Calixto Mabugat of Kabankalan as Mari Joe Zulueta, news reports said.

Mendoza had introduced himself as Col. Martinez and claimed that he was on a confidential mission against somebody in Kabankalan.

Actually, police said he is the owner of a recently opened convenience store in the city.

Police reportedly recovered from the Toyota Fortunner of Zulueta two M-16 assault rifles, a .45 caliber pistol and a super .38 pistol. He also had two women companions whose identities were not revealed by the police.

Zulueta is now detained at the Himamaylan police station. Police are still trying to verify from Camp Crame’s Firearms and Explosive Office if the seized firearms were registered to Zulueta.

***

Moises Padilla yesterday inaugurated the first ram pump system sponsored by the Coca Cola Foundation in Sitio Tiguisan, Barangay Alingasaw in that town.

The Tiguisan system pumps at least 32,000 liters of water a day at the height of 18 meters, reports said.

About 121 household are now benefiting from the free flowing water, said Auke Zenga, head of the Alterative Indigenous Development Foundation.

A water association has been formed and all these activities to ensure that the project will be sustainable, he added, pointing out that local technicians have been trained by the firm news reports said.

***

Guns barked again in Victorias City and in La Carlota City this week. And two person were killed.

The first was Warren Jamora, 35, a stray bullet hit another passenger of the tricycle where Jamora was and hit Susan Dianela, 51, on the right arm.

Jamora died on arrival at the Ika-ayong Laws Foundation Hospital of Victorias.

The other victim was Jose Genovea, branch manager of the La Carlota-based ZFA lending company. She succumbed to three gunshot wounds. She was robbed by three men who had ambushed her of 9 ATM cards, a small amount of cash and personal belongings.

These incidents only show that the there are still too many loose firearms in the province and that the firearms ban just has not succeeded in discouraging gun from using them for various purposes.*

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