Pimentel: Only one justice should inhibit

BY DENNIS GADIL

SENATE minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday said only one Supreme Court justice should inhibit from the Senate’s motion for reconsideration on the issue of executive privilege and not three as suggested by majority leader Francis Pangilinan.

Pimentel declined to give the identity of the magistrate but said he believes that this magistrate should inhibit to protect the high court from questions of impartiality.

Pangilinan has drafted a petition for the inhibition of Associate Justices Arturo Brion, Presbitero Velasco and Renato Corona for their perceived closeness to Malacañang.

Pangilinan has said Brion was a former labor secretary of President Arroyo while Corona’s wife, in a paid advertisement, was reported to have publicly expressed support for the President. He said Velasco is said to be Neri’s golf buddy.

Pimentel, who has yet to sign the petition, said he sees no strong reason to move for the inhibition of the three justices.

Pimentel said the motion for inhibition will be discussed today when the Senate resumes session.

Pangilinan had hinted of going solo if his colleagues would not join him.

He said the grounds set forth in the motion for inhibition "are valid and material."

Sen. Francis Escudero last week urged senators to think "a thousand times" before filing any motion for inhibition.