February 22, 2012 - Philippine Airlines on Wednesday said it will decline to provide more information on the Platinum privilege card of Chief Justice Renato Corona and his wife, Cristina, upon advise by the company's legal counsel not to talk anymore about the issue.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said: "It would be more prudent not to talk about it." She added, though, that Javier was prepared to answer questions pertaining to Corona's platinum card if he was allowed to take the witness stand.

A PAL Platinum card, which is supposed to be selectively awarded to certain individuals, confers unlimited travel benefits to any local and international destination at the highest travel class available. Cardholders also do not have pay taxes, fees, fuel and insurance surcharges, as these are shouldered by the airline.

During Tuesday's hearing on Article 3 of the impeachment complaint, presiding officer Sen. Juan Ponce-Enrile disallowed the prosecution from presenting PAL Vice-President for Sales Enrique Javier as a witness on grounds that his testimony was not expressly part of or related to Article 3, which touches on probity and integrity issues attributed to Corona in his sensitive position as Chief Justice.

Malacañang: Javier exclusion 'unfortunate'

Malacañang said it was unfortunate that Enrile decided to exclude the prosecution panel move to present evidence on the PAL platinum card.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that he believes Enrile's decision alienates the public: "The public would have preferred that the evidence was presented."

Lacierda added that the Senate President has already made a decision on the matter, so the prosecutors have no other choice but to move on to the next article of impeachment.

Despite this apparent setback, he maintained, the evidence so far presented in the trial should be considered sufficient for the senator-judges to make a sound decision.

"Insofar as the evidence that have been uncovered, we are satisfied with, for instance, the discrepancies in the Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth and the amount of money in the bank deposits that were uncovered," Lacierda explained, adding that the Executive Department will continue giving assistance to the prosecutors in gathering evidence, such as providing documents from pertinent offices.

Prosecutors to appeal

The prosecution on Tuesday formally filed a motion for reconsideration at the Senate to reverse the exclusion of the testimony of Javier. Representative Sherwin Tugna said that it was hoped the senator-judges will see the merit of Javier's testimony.

Under the impeachment rules, only a member of the Senate can appeal the ruling of the presiding officer.

Reportage from Cherrie Regalado, AC Nicholls, and Kimberly Go