THE House prosecution panel on Monday assured the public that transparency would not be compromised by the Senate impeachment court’s decision to hold the June 18 pre-trial conference behind closed doors, saying key developments will still be disclosed as the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte moves forward.
In a press briefing, lead prosecutor and House Committee on Justice Chairperson Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas said the decision should not be interpreted as an attempt to withhold information from the public.
“Walang issue of transparency dito. Ang issue dito is expediency,” Luistro said.
Luistro explained that pre-trial proceedings are largely technical and could take several days as prosecutors and defense lawyers identify evidence, discuss stipulations of fact and resolve procedural matters ahead of the trial proper.
“I think the reason is expediency. Dahil napakahabang proseso na itong pretrial conference na ito, it may take two to three days and even more,” she said.
The Batangas House leader added that the matters to be discussed during pre-trial would ultimately be presented during the trial itself, where the public would have the opportunity to follow the proceedings.
Prosecutor and San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said much of the conference would involve the marking and identification of evidence and other procedural matters.
“Kunwari, babasahin ang pangalan ng isang ebidensya. Sasabihin, we will mark that as our Exhibit A, Exhibit A-1, A-111. Ganun po. Napakahaba po niyan,” Zamora said.
She said the impeachment court may have opted to keep the proceedings closed because of their highly technical and repetitive nature.
“I think the impeachment court just wants to spare the people this boring process,” she added.
Zamora noted that the results of the conference would be reflected in a pre-trial order to be issued by the impeachment court.
House impeachment spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, meanwhile, said the prosecution team is prepared to inform the public about what transpired during the conference, subject to any directive from the impeachment court.
“Ready naman po ang House prosecution team to share to the public kung anuman ‘yung mapag-uusapan, ano ‘yung mga na-agree-han doon, ano ‘yung kino-contest na mga ebidensya, anong ina-accept na mga ebidensya based on the stipulation of facts,” Alonto Adiong said.
He also sought to allay concerns that the closed-door setting could lead to any improper arrangement between the parties.
“Just to give you a direct answer, and you can quote me on this, there will be no connivance because the defense team will also be there,” Alonto Adiong said.
Luistro emphasized that the prosecution is not opposed to opening the pre-trial conference to the public, but would comply with the procedures established by the impeachment court.
“We are not against making the pre-trial conference open to public. As a matter of fact, we are in support of that,” she said.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to hold its pre-trial conference on June 18, ahead of the formal opening of the impeachment trial on July 6.
