MANILA – In a bid to finish the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona within this month, Senate President-Presiding Judge Juan Ponce Enrile said he will propose to both the prosecution and defense panels an eight-hour hearing each day.

“I will propose to the lawyers of both the prosecution and defense that we finish this case before this month ends and if they will agree, we can start at 2 p.m. up to 10 p.m.,” Enrile said yesterday, a day before the resumption of the trial after a one-month Lenten break of the two houses of Congress.

Enrile said he will make his suggestion due to many proposed measures that have been affected by the impeachment trial which started last January 17.

The veteran lawmaker said he will also talk to his fellow senator-judges about his proposal even as he reiterated that he would not allow delaying tactics as the defense panel continues its presentation of witnesses and evidences today.

“They should be ready. I will not allow delays. We have no trial for one month and they should have studied the case very well,” said the 88-year-old Enrile, who has earned commendation for handling the trial fair and square.

Last Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said a caucus will be held at noon on Monday to tackle the motions filed by both camps during the Senate break.

Meanwhile, Enrile said it’s now up to the defense if they will bring the accused Chief Justice to the witness stand.

“It’s now up to the lawyers if they will present CJ,” Enrile said.

Corona is accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution and graft and corruption.*PNA

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