2 impeachment trials 'burdensome', Palace says

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

MALACAÑANG is not keen on seeing the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo reaching the Senate halls before the end of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, saying it would be a burden to all parties involved.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, however, that it would be up to the House of Representatives to discuss on the merits of the impeachment complaint against the magistrate.

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"Right now, it is still with the House and they are going to go to plenary to discuss the merits of the impeachment (case) against Justice del Castillo. So we leave it with the House legislators to determine as to the substance of the impeachment," he said in a news briefing.

Lacierda said the focus now of the Senate is on the impeachment trial of Corona, who is charged with betrayal of public trust and violating the Constitution, among others.

"It will be a burden if two impeachment cases will be filed before the Senate," he said.

The House committee on justice found probable cause on the complaint against del Castillo, who allegedly committed betrayal of public trust on the decision he penned regarding the complaint filed by a group of so-called "comfort women."

Voting 38-10, the members of the committee decided to raise the impeachment case before the House's plenary.

Lacierda said it could take some time before the plenary could take a vote on whether to impeach del Castillo and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. (SDR/Sunnex)