Prosecution panel accused of using impeach case vs Del Castillo

MANILA, Philippines - Opposition lawmakers accused yesterday members of the prosecution panel of the House of Representatives of using the impeachment case against Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo to force him to testify against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The lawmakers issued the statement after Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, lead prosecutor and chairman of the House committee on justice, announced that the impeachment hearing against Del Castillo would resume.

Del Castillo is accused of plagiarizing his decision on the issue of Filipino “comfort women” or Filipinas forced into prostitution by the Japanese occupation forces during World War II.

Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay said the House administration bloc was engaging in a “squeeze play” by prolonging the impeachment proceedings against Del Castillo even if it has exceeded the 60-day limit to finish the case under the Constitution. Del Castillo is one of the SC justices the prosecution panel wants to testify in the Corona trial.

“It’s unfair for the prosecution team led by justice committee chair Niel Tupas Jr. to continue its threat of impeachment against Justice Del Castillo who they plan to call on as a witness,” Magsaysay said. “It’s like having a witness with a gun on his head. How can Justice Del Castillo testify freely when he knows he can be impeached anytime by the President’s allies?”  

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, an independent, said he would push for the termination of the impeachment proceedings against Del Castillo since the 60-day constitutional limit has been exceeded. House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II however said based on his legislative calendar, there are still five session days left for the committee to act on the impeachment case.