THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte could become shorter and easier for prosecutors if minority senator-judges continue not to participate in the proceedings, although their absence would not change the evidence the prosecution intends to present.
“So yes, it might be easier. The time might be shorter. But again, we will still present the same evidence that we had intended to present before,” House impeachment prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria “Bel” Zamora acknowledged in an interview on One News’ Morning Matters Thursday.
Zamora was responding to a question on whether prosecutors would benefit if minority senator-judges who have frequently subjected prosecution witnesses to extensive questioning decide not to participate in succeeding proceedings.
Six minority senator-judges declined to participate in the impeachment court’s Sept. 23 vote revising how the constitutional two-thirds threshold will be computed, although their position on participation in the succeeding trial days remains separate from that procedural vote.
Zamora acknowledged that fewer interventions could allow prosecutors to proceed more quickly with direct examination and reduce the time witnesses spend answering questions.
“Well, that may be correct. I mean, we will be lessening the time that we or the witness would have to answer the questions, and we will be more focused on the presentation of our witnesses and the propounding of questions unto them,” Zamora explained.
She stressed, however, that the prosecution would not alter or withhold its planned evidence simply because fewer senator-judges might be participating.
The panel is currently presenting evidence under Article II involving allegations of unexplained wealth, with additional witnesses expected to testify on corporate, procurement and financial records.
Zamora maintained that the prosecution has an audience beyond the impeachment court itself.
“Whether the minority senators will participate or not, we owe it to the public. We owe it to our people to show the evidence that the prosecution has,” Zamora stressed.
“So this is not only for the senator-judges, but this is also for the public,” she added.
The prosecution will continue presenting its case while the minority senator-judges independently determine the extent of their participation following the disputed threshold ruling.
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