(Eagle News)– Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is being considered as an adviser to the private prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
Rep. Reynaldo Umali, panel chair, revealed this during a dzbb interview on Sunday.
“Siya naman ay available para tumulong sa prosecution,” Umali said.
According to Umali, Enrile’s experience as presiding judge during the impeachment trial of then-Chief Justice Renato Corona would make him a valuable addition to the team.
Corona was found guilty of failing to disclose information in his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, an allegation also hurled against Sereno.
So far, Umali said the other members of the team have yet to be identified.
He said what was clear was that they had to be lawyers and must have had litigation experience.
“Maraming volunteers na,” he said.
The House justice panel is slated to hold a hearing on Wednesday.
Umali said during the hearing, the panel would tackle the committee report and Articles of Impeachment that would be voted on by the plenary.
If a one third vote of the entire House was achieved, he said the chamber would transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court.
A quo warranto petition seeking to have her appointment as Chief Justice nullified has also been filed against Sereno, who is on indefinite leave.