De Lima reiterates willingness to testify in impeachment trial

Thursday, January 26, 2012

MANILA—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima maintained on Thursday that she is willing to testify against Chief Justice Renato Corona in his impeachment trial at the Senate.

De Lima was eyed by the House prosecution team as witness for Article 7, which indicted Corona for exhibiting partiality toward former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when he led the Supreme Court in issuing a travel clearance last November.

This travel clearance was not recognized by De Lima pending receipt of the order as she tasked immigration officers to bar Arroyo and her party from boarding a Hong Kong-bound plane.

Arroyo is now under hospital arrest for poll sabotage charges.

“When we met was it yesterday or the other day? They (prosecution team) told me that there is a possibility that I might be summoned so we made initial discussions on the possible parameters of my testimony but they said they will decide, and once they decide they will ask for issuance of subpoena,” De Lima told reporters.

The justice chief is currently facing a disbarment case for allegedly defying the High Court’s order. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)