THE House prosecution panel is expecting the six minority senators who did not participate in the voting in the conviction threshold in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to vote either for her conviction or acquittal.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and minority colleagues Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Camille Villar, Robinhood Padilla, and Bong Go boycotted the threshold vote last Wednesday.
Lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro of Batangas said the stand of senator-judges depends on the issue confronting them.
She said their position on the threshold vote does not necessarily translate into their stand when the time comes for them to render a judgment on the Vice President’s case.
“Ako naniniwala ako na ang position ng mga senator-judges Depends on the question confronting them noh. So kagaya Ng sinabi ko kanina yung naging position nila about the threshold should vote does not necessarily show their position on the verdict,” she said.
“I have so much respect for all the members of the impeachment court at alam Kong pinag-aaralan nila itong mabuti to be able to come up with their fair and impartial judgment come the time that they cast their vote,” she stressed.
However, Luistro pointed out that if the six opposition senators do not show up on final voting day, their absence might affect the threshold vote.
“I think that is part of their prerogative. Apparently, kung hindi sila present during the time they cast their vote, that will affect the denominator again,” she said.
For his part, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said they expect opposition senators to do their duty as judges in the Vice President’s impeachment trial.
“Tingin naman po namin gagampanan pa rin po ng atin pong mga senator judges ang kanila pong gawain dito sa paghusga sa impeachment trial po na ito,” he said.
“Mataas ho yung inaasahan namin na magpapakita po ang lahat ng mga available senators to cast their vote, whether to convict or to acquit the Vice President,” he said.
Luistro also said the eventual final vote on the respondent’s case is still far off.
She said the prosecution is still presenting evidence in the Article of Impeachment accusing the Vice President of allegedly amassing unexplained wealth, after which it would proceed to presenting the bribery charge.
“After that, it will be the turn of the defense to present their evidence and that’s the only time that the impeachment court will be deciding on the conviction or acquittal of the respondent Vice President,” she said.
metrosundaily
