HOUSE prosecution panel adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said Monday the first day of the Senate impeachment trial should not be framed as a win-or-loss moment for the prosecution, but as the formal start of the constitutional process.
Speaking after the Day 1 hearing, Barbers said the more important development was that the trial had opened despite earlier claims that it would not push through.
“The notion that nanalo o natalo ang prosecution, mali po yan,” Barbers said. “Dahil ang nangyari ngayong araw na ito, nakita naman natin na nag-umpisa ang trial,” he added.
Barbers said there had been many claims before the proceedings that the trial might not proceed.
“Napakaraming sinabi before the trial started kasi maraming stories na hindi daw ito matutuloy,” Barbers said.
He also addressed the impeachment court’s order returning the sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue box to the tax bureau, saying this does not erase its value as evidence.
“Yes, totoo binalik ang BIR box, but this does not mean nawala na ang evidentiary value ng ebidensyang ito,” Barbers said.
He said the prosecution may offer the records again at the proper stage of the proceedings.
“At the proper time, ibabalik po ito, i-o-offer po ulit ito ng ating prosecution, and hopefully the court will admit this as an evidence,” Barbers said.
Barbers stressed that the records remain relevant even if they are not yet in the custody of the impeachment court.
“So sa ngayon ay nandiyan lang iyan at hindi naman nawawala ang kanyang value as an evidence,” he said.
He said the prosecution will continue presenting evidence as the trial moves forward.
“So as the trial progresses, I’m sure marami pang mga itutulak ang ating prosecution para mapagtibay ang articles of impeachment against the respondent,” Barbers said.
metrosundaily
