When Chief Justice Renato Corona went to the Senate on Tuesday totestify in his own impeachment trial, many Filipinos were glued totheir television screens, eager to hear what he had to say. Among those who watched his testimony closely was retired Maj. Gen.Jose Balajadia Jr., who has been the Senate sergeant-at-arms formore than 10 years. He admitted that he was "elated" tobe facing the Chief Justice for the very first time.
"It"s not everyday that you can meet the Chief Justice,the equivalent of the President and the Senate president. Can youimagine [facing] him like that?" he said in an interview withGMA News Online. But viewers and Balajadia got more than what they expected. Inaddition to hearing the Chief Justice speak and air his sentimentsabout the long-running impeachment trial, they also witnessed alittle drama on the side. At 5:07 p.m.
on Tuesday, right after delivering his three-hourstatement, Corona abruptly left the witness stand after telling theimpeachment court: "And now, the chief justice of the Republicof the Philippines wishes to be excused." He had not yet beendischarged as a witness when he walked out of the impeachmentcourt. There are two exits from the Senate session hall, one at the backand one in front. Corona used the front exit, which goes to thecorridor behind the Session hall. This leads to the exit to thebasement, as well as the door to the Senate lounge where thesenators sometimes hold their caucuses.
At first, Balajadia said, he thought Corona was just planning totake his medicine at the back of the Session hall. "[But] when I saw him stand up and then he began to go to theback, nag-suspetsa na ako, I stood up and I went to the exit of thesenator's lounge," he said. On the orders of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the68-year-old chief of the Senate"s security detail said he andhis men immediately closed all the doors in the chamber. "Nung sinabi ni Senate president na close the door, alam mokami, mayroon kaming protocol.
If you hear the order of the Senatepresident or any senator [you] immediately obey," he said. He rushed to where Corona, his wife Cristina, and their bodyguardswere – at the corridor near the exit to the Senate basement.When he arrived, his men were in a standoff with the chief justiceand his party. Senate sergeant-at-arms Jose Balajadia Jr. (wearing glasses) blocksthe path of Chief Justice Renato Corona and his security escorts asthey attempt to leave the Senate premises using the basement exit.
Photo courtesy of the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau. "Nagtutulakan na sila. Immediately I went in between," hesaid. "I told [Corona's] security, tiningnan ko siya sa mata, I said‘please," umilag siya," he added.
When he came face to face with Corona, Balajadia calmly told thechief justice, "Sir, I'm sorry." He recalled themagistrate asking him, "Are you arresting me?" He began explaining to Corona, "Sir, you know very well thatin any court of law a judge can order..." but he was cut offby Mrs. Corona. "Itutuloy ko sana, 'that the order sir is not to allow you toleave the building" pero hindi ko na natapos yun. Sumabat nasi misis, ‘Is this martial law?"" he said. Balajadia said he was offended by Mrs.
Corona"s remarkbecause he is against Martial Law. A former Philippine Air Forcegeneral, he has served under four Senate presidents: SenatorFranklin Drilon, the late Senator Blas Ople, Senator Manuel Villar,and Enrile. "I felt slighted. Ina-accuse ako, as if sundalo na may barilna mukhang rabid dog or something like that. Sumama talaga loob kodoon.
[But] I did not talk anymore, pinabayaan ko na lang becausemy primary interest was the security situation. Ayaw komagkagulo," he said. At that point, Supreme Court spokesperson Midas Marquez and defenselawyer Jose Roy III arrived. "Sila na nag-usap. Sabi ko‘ayusin ninyo ito,"" he said.
Balajadia then left the group and reported to Enrile what hadhappened. "I felt that I had to go inside to report to the Senatepresident," he said. "Sabi niya sa akin, ‘youclose the doors general" [I said] ‘yes sir, all doorsare closed." Gusto ko nga sana sabihin, kahit employees ninyohindi makakaalis." Before going into the room with the senators, he saw Corona sitdown by the exit because he was supposedly getting weak and dizzy. However, Balajadia said he could not determine whether the chiefjustice was really sick.
"I don't know because I was obliviousto everyone pero nakita ko pa siya na umupo," he said. "Sabi ng mga senador ipa-check mo para malagyan ng lunas. Unaayaw daw yata niya, but after a time talagang naapektuhan na siyaso he was brought to the clinic," Balajadia said. "Nung lumabas sila, okay resume na. Ayun, nakita ko tinutulakna siya ng mga tao ko sa wheelchair," he said, adding that thedoctors found out Corona had high blood pressure and low sugarlevels.
Before the chief justice was brought to the clinic, however,Balajadia noted that Corona's staff was already waiting for him atthe basement and his vehicle was getting ready to leave. Balajadiasaid he knows this because he gave his parking space to the chiefjustice. After the trial was adjourned, Balajadia said Corona left using theregular exit and elevators. – YA, GMA News. I am Bag & Luggage Making Materials writer, reports some information about teak shower tray , installing shower tray.
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