Prosecutor leaves trial out of frustration

Thursday, January 26, 2012

MANILA -- A member of the 11-man House prosecution team left Thursday’s impeachment trial after he was prevented from arguing with the lead defense counsel.

Deputy Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariňas, who has been assigned as deputy chief prosecutor, was heard to have told his colleagues “bahala na kayo diyan” before leaving the Senate session hall.

“He (Fariňas) was frustrated because the arguments raised by the defense panel were irrelevant. The group, however, decided not to answer (defense lawyer Serafin) Cuevas because it will just delay the trial,” lead prosecutor Niel Tupas Jr. told reporters in a press briefing after the trial.

After a brief talk with other members of the prosecution team, Fariňas went back inside the session hall but instead sat at the VIP section.

“Pakiramdam niya napapagalitan masyado ang public prosecutors ng mga senador. We are all elected officials and pakiramdam niya we also deserve the same respect we afford the impeachment court,” Deputy Majority Leader Romero Frederico Quimbo, spokesperson for the prosecution panel, added. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)