Senator Win Gatchalian Photo: Senate PRIB
ACTING Senate President Win Gatchalian can preside over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte despite not being a lawyer, while the Senate also has the option to designate or elect another presiding officer under the amended impeachment rules, the head of the House prosecution panel said.
House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro said she believes Gatchalian has the discipline and diligence to study the rules and preside over the impeachment court, even as she acknowledged that the Senate has another available option if he chooses not to do so.
“Pero ako, naniniwala ako kay acting SP Win Gatchalian. He has been very diligent as far as his legislative works are concerned,” Luistro said during a radio interview over dzMM.
Luistro defended Gatchalian against doubts over his lack of a law degree, pointing to her own observation of how he prepares for legislative work and manages committee and plenary responsibilities.
“At nag-aaral ‘yan. Kasi nung bumibisita ako sa opisina niya, pati whiteboard niya punong-puno ng mga lecture,” Luistro recalled.
The lead prosecutor said she had seen enough of Gatchalian’s working style to believe he can study the impeachment rules, understand the proceedings and discharge the responsibilities of presiding officer with seriousness.
“And I think we are able to observe that in as far as the way he discharges his function in the committees and even in the plenary. Talagang very studious, very diligent and very hardworking,” Luistro explained.
“Naniniwala ako, hindi man siya lawyer, kaya niyang aralin at panindigan ang pagiging presiding officer,” Luistro stressed.
At the same time, Luistro said the Senate had already amended a significant portion of its impeachment rules, giving the chamber flexibility to designate a presiding officer except in cases involving the impeachment of the President.
“Now in the event na hindi siya comfortable dito, I remember that when he assumed and he was elected as Senate President Pro Tempore, as well as the election of the other chairmanship of the committees, they changed significant part of the rules on impeachment and that is by giving power to the Senate to designate a presiding officer except in cases of impeachment against the President,” Luistro explained.
Luistro said this gives Gatchalian two possible routes: preside over the impeachment court himself after taking the required oath or allow the Senate to choose another presiding officer.
“So ang maliwanag, may option si acting SP Win. He can proceed to presiding over the impeachment court after he takes an oath,” Luistro noted.
“And the second option is the Senate can actually designate or elect a presiding officer to preside in the impeachment trial. ‘Yan ang dalawang options niya,” Luistro added.
