THE House prosecution panel on Friday questioned whether a detained Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada can meaningfully take part as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte if he cannot personally attend hearings and observe witnesses.
House Prosecutor Joel Chua of Manila and trial spox Renee Co of Kabataan Party-list raised the issue during the launch of Bantay Impeachment at Claret School in UP Village, Quezon City, saying the role of a senator-judge requires more than receiving records or following the proceedings from a distance.
“Well, in so far as a, ito naman personal opinion ko lang po no, how can he participate in impeachment trial if could not be physically present in the impeachment hearing so how can he assess whether the witness that will be caught by both the prosecution and the defense is telling a lie or telling the truth? How can he observe the manner, the conduct, the witness, the way he or she will answer all the questions that will be asked to him?”Chua asked.
More than 120 representatives from anti-corruption watchdogs, civil society organizations, people’s organizations, church groups, youth formations, and concerned citizens gathered today at Claret School in UP Village, Quezon City to formally launch Bantay Impeachment, a broad citizen watch campaign aimed at promoting accountability, transparency, and public participation in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte.
The launch comes amid growing public concern over uncertainties surrounding the impeachment trial, including the ongoing leadership crisis in the Senate and attempts by some political forces to delay, derail, or weaken the constitutional process.
Participants emphasized that impeachment is not merely a political contest among elites but a constitutional mechanism designed to uphold public accountability and ensure that no public official is above the law.
The impeachment trial against Duterte is expected to require senator-judges to evaluate testimonial and documentary evidence on the articles transmitted by the House of Representatives, including allegations involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and threats against high officials.
Chua clarified that preventive suspension is not a finding of guilt, but stressed that it temporarily limits the suspended official’s ability to perform official functions.
“Preventive suspension does not mean he is already guilty. But the fact that there is a preventive suspension on his part meaning to say temporarily he cannot function as such,” Chua pointed out.
Co noted that the Senate impeachment rules remain unchanged and that there is no reason to assume that existing limits on Estrada’s participation would no longer apply when the trial opens.
“Dagdag na lang din po ako no, the Senate rules of impeachment have not changed and absent session scheduled for July 6, we have no reason to believe that hindi mag-prevail ‘yung current rules on impeachment which puts limitations on Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s participation,” Co explained.
Moving beyond the technical issue of suspension, Co argued that the quality of a senator-judge’s participation matters because impeachment is a live trial where credibility, demeanor and the force of testimony are best assessed in person.
“Yun naman ‘yung formal na answer no pero sa posisyon din po natin bilang kinatawan ng kabataan alam natin ‘yung difference between online or hybrid learning versus face-to-face classes,” Co maintained.
“So, kung ‘yung quality of participation talaga ‘yung in question dito nothing beats ‘yung physical presence so despite it be kung (inaudible) I think para sa mata ng taong bayan kailangan nandun ang isang senator judge para may quality participation siya sa impeachment trial,” she added.
The question of participation has come alongside other unresolved Senate matters, including the presiding officer of the impeachment court.
Asked whether the chamber has already settled who will preside over the trial, Chua deferred to the senators but noted that no clear selection had been announced.
“Ang makakasagot po niyan ay mga senador internal po nila ‘yan but in so far as I’m concern ang alam ko wala pa yatang hindi pa yata sila nagkaka-pilian?” Chua noted.
“So antayin natin pag simula ng impeachment hearing sa July 6. Tingnan po natin kung sino ang uupo,” Chua added.
metrosundaily
