Suggestions to speed up Corona’s impeachment trial

In reaction to the various comments lamenting that the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona is moving exceedingly slow, the blame cannot be entirely laid on the shoulder of the prosecution panel. Technical requirements of due process warrant meticulous preparation, which makes the wheels of justice grind slow.

To expedite the proceedings, may I suggest to the prosecution that it be succinct and direct to the point, instead of asking questions that suggest its lack of knowledge of the nature of the documents brought by subpoenaed witnesses. As these documents are pre-marked and both defense and prosecution already know which documents are available, the prosecution, right after the witness is qualified, can immediately request the subpoenaed documents to be turned over to it.

Instead of asking “Did you bring with you this and that document?” which is repeated in as many instances as there are documents, the witness may be asked outright in the following manner: “Among the documents you brought to court which you just handed to me is a Deed of Sale, already pre-marked as Exhibit ‘——’, can you state who are the parties to this contract, etc?”

I also suggest that the prosecutors look at “Goldstein’s Trial Technique,” Volume 2, 3rd Edition, by Fred Lane, J.D., for further reference. After all, the search for truth and justice need not be painstakingly slow.

—CRESENCIO V. ASPIRAS JR.,

Aspiras & Aspiras Law Office,

Unit 1009, Prestife Tower,

F. Ortigas Jr. Rd.,

Ortigas Center, Pasig City