The appearance of Corona

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The turn of events at the impeachment trial of the country’s Chief Justice Renato Corona must have confounded the head of the Senate acting as chief judge of the case. After allowing the beleaguered Chief Justice all the leeway to express himself at what was to be the start of his testimony yesterday, the respondent just droned on and on, in an obvious bid to draw public sympathy for himself, and then left the Senate-Court high and dry by walking out.

His lawyers were quick to cover up, saying he was not feeling well, and, as expected, was later traced to a hospital. Whether he will come out today to resume his supposed testimony, we do not know. But it is not unlikely that he will opt to stay in the hospital for some ailment, whether feigned or not, and avoid further appearances at the hearing.

Had both the prosecutors and the senator-judges been outwitted? It would appear so. The way it looks, the Chief Justice must believe that the recitation of his woes, his alleged “Calvary”, and his humble circumstances, were enough to turn the tide of public sympathy in his favor.

To many, however, judging from reactions of the man-in-the street, Corona had only managed to convince them about his skill in turning the tables, in outfoxing his accusers, and in his low regard for those who have been tasked to try him and decide on his fate.

Will Corona appear at the Senate today as Chief Senator-Judge Juan Ponce Enrile has ordered? If he does not, this could mean an abbreviation of the hearings that have started to pall for the public, anyway.*