Supreme Court of the Philippines can't stop Renato Corona trial

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Philippines - According to ABS-CBN News The presiding officer of the impeachment court believes the Supreme Court (SC) will not stop the trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona by issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO), saying it is not within its power to do so.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile explained that under the Constitution, it is the sole mandate of the Senate to try and decide impeachment cases.

"No one else can decide this case, not the people or the Supreme Court or anyone else," he told reporters on Wednesday. "I don't think the Supreme Court can reinterpret the Constitution."

For Enrile, the Constitution is clear in saying that upon receiving the articles of impeachment, the Senate shall "forthwith proceed" with the trial.

He said the SC may only step in if the impeachment case has not yet been transmitted to the Senate.

"Once it is here, we have acquired jurisdiction," he said.

No meeting between PNoy, senators

Enrile also denied that President Benigno Aquino has talked to senators and asked them to convict Corona in his impeachment trial.

"I do not know. I've not heard of anyone here that was called by the Palace or anyone else," he said.

But Enrile sees nothing wrong with Aquino or even Corona talking to senators.

He said it's up to the senators how they will behave during the impeachment trial.

"Both sides can talk to any of the senators. It's up to the senators to exercise their circumspection," Enrile said.