The Senate sitting as an impeachment court trying Chief Justice Renato Corona on Tuesday did not issue the prosecution panel a reprimand for presenting bank documents described by a witness as fake.

At one point in Tuesday's hearing, though, Senator-Judge Miriam Santiago expressed dismay and added that she felt insulted by the prosecution's alleged use of fake bank documents.

Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao of the impeachment prosecution panel said earlier that he believes they will not be reprimanded for presenting bank documents relayed by an anonymous tipster, even if the papers are proven to be fake.

What's important, he added, is that they were able to unravel the existence of the 10 bank accounts of Chief Justice Renato Corona in at least two banks -- Philippine Savings Bank and Bank of the Philippine Islands.

In Monday's proceedings, PSbank branch manager Anabel Tiongson had indicated that the bank documents given to the prosecution by their supposedly anonymous tipster may be fake. But Aggabao said that the only reason why the Senate wants to tackle the issue is to ascertain if there has been a violation of Republic Act 1405, which prohibits disclosure of or inquiry into bank deposits.

"[Whether or not the documents are fake] is immaterial for us," Aggabao added. "It behooves us as prosecutors to do everything within our power to prosecute the case, or we would be remiss in our duty."

Aggabao said that it would be most unfair to say the prosecution was using false documents without seeing the originals. Ideally, he added, there should be an opportunity to compare the alleged fake documents and the original, but there is no indication yet if the Senate will allow it.

Another member of the prosecution, Rep. Rey Umali of Oriental Mindoro, was earlier expected to face the Senate today to explain the circumstances behind the alleged leak of bank documents, but his appearance did not come to pass.

Relatedly, Aggabao said the prosecution would like to resume tackling Article 3 of the impeachment complaint, which delves into Corona's competence and integrity as chief justice.

Lauro Vizconde, one of the leaders of Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, had claimed that he once met with Corona while the Vizconde massacre case involving his family members was pending in the Supreme Court. During this meeting, Corona supposedly divulged information regarding alleged lobbying by his Supreme Court colleague, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, to have the principal accused (Hubert Webb) acquitted.

ACL / Reportage from Kimberly Go and Gellie Bilgera