Manila: Following Chief Justice Renato Corona's unexpected departure from proceedings in his own impeachment trial on Tuesday, the Senate said they are giving the top magistrate until Friday to present evidence.
"This court will give you until Friday to close your evidence. After that we will consider the case submitted on the record," Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, presiding officer of the impeachment court told the Corona defence panel led by Serafin Cuevas at the resumption of Wednesday's trial.
Corona was taken on a medical emergency three hours into his testimony on Tuesday afternoon after he suddenly walked away from the hearing.
Cuevas had said that Corona had been experiencing medical problems.
By Tuesday evening, Corona was rushed to the Medical City in Pasig City and was admitted to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit.
"He was placed under sedation," Cuevas told Enrile on Wednesday when the latter asked what happened to the Chief Justice.
Dr. Eugenio Jose Ramos, senior vice president for medical services of Medical City, said Corona is suffering from a condition described as "hypoglycaemia" or depressed blood glucose levels.
Ramos said also Corona possibly suffered an acute coronary syndrome or a heart attack.
But Cuevas, for his part, said that while Corona is willing to return for the direct-examination and cross-examination before the Impeachment Court, he may not be "physically and mentally ready" to testify.
Impassioned testimony
Corona, 63, gave his testimony before the senate on Tuesday in a narrative rather than the usual cross-examination. It was the first time that the chief magistrate attended since the impeachment trial started last December.
Three hours into his impassioned testimony, Corona suddenly left the Senate session hall but not before demanding to the 188 members of the House of Representatives who impeached him to affix their signature on a waiver that they approve that their assets will be investigated.
Senator Franklin Drilon said that he finds it absurd that Corona them Members of the House to sign a blank waiver authorizing government entities to examine all his bank records as well as statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
"I find it funny," Drilon said.
Corona is being impeached by the House of Representatives for committing abuse of authority, committing unconstitutional act and refusing to submit his statement of assets among others.
Corona, who was appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo several days before she stepped down from office in 2010, is being accused of maintaining millions in dollar accounts as well as owning 45 properties among other improprieties.
During his testimony Tuesday, Corona debunked the accusations hurled against him.
He likewise accused President Benigno Aquino of getting back at him after the Supreme Court rendered a decision that ruled in favour of some 4,500 farmers in Hacienda Luisita, an agricultural estate in Central Luzon, owned by the family of the incumbent leader.
