BIR chief takes witness stand anew as Senate resumes Corona’s trial
Friday, 27 January 2012 00:00
BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Kim Jacinto- Henares took the witness stand anew as the Senate resumed the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona on Thursday. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the impeachment court presiding officer, declared a quorum with 18 senator judges present and allowed the prosecution to continue with the direct examination of Henares regarding the income tax returns (ITR) of Corona and his wife, Cristina. However, before private prosecutor Arthur Lim could start his direct examination of the witness, Senator-judge Miriam Defensor-Santiago asked the prosecution clarificatory questions on Article 2 regarding the failure of Corona to disclose his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
Senator-judge Joker Arroyo also took the side podium to question the dissemination of Corona's ITR which, he said, should be distributed exclusively to the prosecution and defense panels as well as the members of the impeachment court. "These documents are not yet considered public documents. These are not yet admitted to have been released to anyone. I would like to call the attention of the presiding officer on this," Arroyo said. In response, Enrile cautioned both the prosecutors and the defense lawyers as well as their respective spokesperson to refrain from releasing documents which are not yet considered public documents.PNA
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