Luistro: VP Duterte trial bigger than presiding officer, personalities

LEAD prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro has stressed that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte is bigger than the question of who will preside over it, emphasizing that the case is ultimately about enforcing public accountability.

Luistro made the statement when asked about the possibility that Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero may be designated to preside over the trial, amid the continuing Senate leadership dispute and preparations for the June 18 pretrial conference.

“And besides, ito namang impeachment trial na ito, this is not a question of who is the presiding officer, who are the senator judges, who are the public and the private prosecutors, no,” Luistro stressed.

“By impeachment trial, we’re trying to exact accountability to the public officials. This is a response to the Constitution’s call which says that public office is a public trust and that public officials must be accountable to the people at all times,” she added.

The Senate is set to sit as an impeachment court in the case against Duterte, who faces four Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the House of Representatives.

Luistro expressed confidence in the constitutional accountability mechanism regardless of whether the proceedings are presided over by Acting Senate President Win Gatchalian, Escudero or former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.

“Whether it is acting SP Win Gatchalian or Senator Chiz Escudero who will be presiding the impeachment trial, in behalf of the prosecutors, we are expressing our faith and confidence to this accountability mechanism,” Luistro pointed out.

“To complete my statement, whether it is former SP Alan or acting SP Win or the one which you mentioned, Senator Chiz, we express our faith and confidence to accountability mechanism,” she added.

Questions over the possible role of Escudero have resurfaced because of his previous handling of impeachment-related matters in the 19th Congress, but Luistro cautioned against judging any senator solely on a previous proceeding.

“Nonetheless, the circumstances surrounding the first impeachment back in 19th Congress is entirely different in the circumstances surrounding the second impeachment,” Luistro explained.

“So if indeed Senator Chiz Escudero will be designated as the presiding officer, let us not judge him on the basis of what happened to the first impeachment back in 19 Congress,” she added.

Luistro maintained that the impeachment process should be understood as part of the country’s democratic system of accountability, not merely as a contest over acquittal or conviction.

“I wish to add, itong gagawin na ito ng mga prosecutors, this is not about acquittal or conviction. More than that, this is about enforcing and preserving accountability mechanism which is innate in a democratic country like ours,” Luistro said.

Luistro underscored that the House prosecution team sees the impeachment process as an institutional responsibility to the Constitution and the public.

“We are here to stand for the Constitution. We are here to stand for accountability mechanism,” Luistro declared.

“We are here to stand for the interest of every Filipino across the world,” she added.

Luistro stressed that the House prosecutors are ready to endure criticism, pressure and the heavy work of trial preparation because the impeachment case involves the country’s basic system for holding high public officials to account.

“Ang pagtindig po namin lahat dito sa House of Representatives, ito po ay para sa bayan,” Luistro said.