Will impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona be a no-show?

His lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas on Sunday hinted at the possibility that the chief justice may be absent when the Senate as an impeachment court hands down its verdict. Corona’s family and legal team fear he may not be able to handle the stress.

“Ang akin pong perception and assessment, ayaw na ng kanyang anak at ni Mrs. Corona na haharap siya (chief justice) roon, hindi magiging mabuti para sa kanya," Cuevas said in an interview on dzBB radio.

The Senate impeachment court is expected to hear final arguments by both the prosecution and defense on Monday, and will likely render judgment by Tuesday.

Cuevas said members of the defense panel are also “worried” about the prospect of Corona collapsing if the Senate impeachment court convicts their client.

He admitted that while the defense panel “doubts very much” the prospect of Corona being convicted, a guilty verdict is still a possibility.

“Baka mag-collapse, 'yan ang aming pangamba," he said.

Since Tuesday, Corona has been confined at The Medical City in Pasig City, hours after he appeared before the impeachment court to deliver a lengthy statement.

While his doctors kept him under observation for at least 48 hours and stressed the need for further tests, Corona signed a waiver that allowed him to show up at the Senate a second time last Friday.

On the other hand, Cuevas noted there has been no written notice to them requiring Corona to be present on the day the Senate impeachment court hands down its decision.

“Walang notice sa amin ng promulgation of judgment. Sa ordinaryong husgado naka-schedule ang promulgation, sa araw ng promulgation nakaharap siya para basahan. Ang aming pagkakaunawa di promulgation kundi sasabihin ng husgado ang decision," he said.

He also voiced concern there may not be a written decision that the defense team can peruse. “(If we) cannot peruse it we will be deprived of an opportunity to know the grounds,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cuevas maintained they may still keep as an option the possibility of questioning the impeachment court’s decision before the Supreme Court.

“We are unanimous that although there is no categorical pronouncement in the law that there is no appeal, we want to glide along with that kind of perception,” he said, adding the 1987 Constitution has not been clear on the matter. — LBG/HS, GMA News