MANILA, Philippines - A member of Chief Justice Renato Corona's defense team on Thursday said he was disheartened that alleged "fake" bank documents are being used in the Corona impeachment trial.

"Kung sa aking lang ho, nakalulungkot dahil sana naman ho ay bigyan tayo ng pagkakataon na mabigyan ng isang patas, isang malinaw at isang maayos na proseso na pagtinignan natin ulit mga ilang taon in the future makikita natin na tama at maayos yung ginawa natin," lawyer Rico Quicho said.

Asked to comment if it would be an "injustice" if Corona's bank documents are not revealed, he said: "Mas may injustice kung ipipilit natin ang isang bagay na iligal."

Quicho issued the statement after Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) President Pascual Garcia told the impeachment court that bank documents provided by the prosecutors in their request for subpoena had "material differences" when compared to the originals.

He admitted that the accounts indicated in the documents exist in the bank but denied there was any leak.

The Senate impeachment court earlier issued subpoenas to PSBank and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to produce bank records of Corona's accounts, using the prosecution's documents as basis.

Lawyer Tranquil Salvador III said there are 2 angles in looking at the document: whether it is a leaked document or if it is a fake document.

He said if it is a leaked document, the bank could face criminal liability in violation of existing bank secrecy laws.

On the other hand, if it is a fake document, there is still criminal liability.

"If it is falsification, there was no leak. It was made to appear that there was this document when none exists. There is still liability under the Revised Penal Code," he said.

Lawyer Karen Jimeno said she does not believe that the bank records will have any merit because there has not been a formal offer of evidence.

However, she said the bank records could be used to sway public opinion and cast Corona in a negative light.

She also noted that the documents from the prosecutors are being used to mount a "fishing expedition" against the Chief Justice.