A DAY before the opening of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, House impeachment adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers reminded the public that Monday’s proceedings will be devoted primarily to legal and procedural matters, with no witnesses expected to take the stand.
“The Filipino people should expect the Senate Impeachment Court to first establish the legal framework that will govern the entire trial. That is how any orderly judicial proceeding begins,” Barbers said Sunday.
He explained that the first day will include the opening of the session, the entry of appearance of counsel, the respondent’s plea, opening statements from both sides, and the resolution of preliminary legal issues before the Court proceeds to the presentation of evidence.
“Wala pa pong mga testigo bukas. Wala pang presentation ng ebidensya. Ang unang araw ay para tiyakin na malinaw ang mga patakaran at maayos ang magiging takbo ng paglilitis,” he said.
Barbers said the House prosecution panel has completed its preparations and is ready to present its case once the Court reaches the evidentiary phase.
“Handa na ang prosecution. Nakahanda ang aming mga ebidensya, nakahanda ang aming mga testigo, at nakahanda kaming sundin ang anumang procedural directions ng Impeachment Court,” he said.
He emphasized that the public should not measure the progress of the trial by who appears to have won the legal exchanges on the first day.
“Hindi ito debate competition. Hindi rin ito paramihan ng soundbite. Ang tunay na sukatan ng kasong ito ay ang ebidensyang ihaharap at ang magiging pasya ng Impeachment Court batay sa Konstitusyon at sa mga katotohanan,” Barbers said.
The House adviser also urged the public to view Monday’s proceedings as an affirmation that the country’s constitutional institutions are functioning as intended.
“Ang pinakamahalagang mangyayari bukas ay hindi kung sino ang mas mahusay magsalita. Ang pinakamahalaga ay magsisimula na ang constitutional process ng impeachment. Ito ang mekanismong itinakda ng ating Saligang Batas upang panagutin ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan kapag may seryosong alegasyon laban sa kanila,” he said.
Barbers assured the public that the prosecution will respect all rulings of the Senate Impeachment Court while remaining focused on presenting the evidence supporting the Articles of Impeachment.
“Our commitment is simple: to respect the Court, uphold the Constitution, and present the evidence in an orderly, fair, and transparent trial. We ask the public to allow the process to unfold and let the evidence speak for itself,” Barbers said.
metrosundaily
