THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte should ultimately be decided by the strength of the evidence presented by both sides, and not by emotions or personal attacks, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said Sunday.
Ortega said in an interview with Milky Rigonan on Isyung Pambayan over dzRH that the impeachment process is a constitutional accountability mechanism that must be conducted with respect by everyone involved — from the senator-judges and prosecutors to the defense panel.
“Hindi lang naman po sa senator-judges, sa defense, o sa prosecution, but the entire process should be. Siyempre it’s an accountability tool. It’s a mechanism of the Constitution,” he said.
“So importante po manaig ang respeto. At ano na lang, labanan na lang ng ebidensya, hindi emosyon at saka personal na bagay,” Ortega added.
He stressed that the prosecution’s priority is to present all of its evidence in a clear and organized manner so that the Senate impeachment court can fairly evaluate the allegations against the vice president.
“Ang sa’min po is more on talagang mailabas at saka maipakita lahat ng ebidensya kasi nga po, on the side of the prosecution, ‘yun po ang importante na magawa. At importante maayos po at matahi po lahat ang mga piniprisenta,” he said.
According to Ortega, the prosecution has so far received positive feedback from legal experts, including lawyers and law school deans, while also monitoring public sentiment toward the proceedings.
He also cited a recent OCTA Research survey which found that around 71% of Filipinos want the Senate impeachment court’s decision to be based on the law and the evidence presented during the trial. This, Ortega said, signals the public’s desire to hear answers to the allegations.
Especially now that the prosecution has concluded its presentation of evidence and witnesses on the grave threats charge against the vice president, he said Filipinos are more eager to hear the defense’s case.
“Actually, ang gusto nga nila, ‘Sige, tapusin niyo na sa prosecution para tingnan naman natin ano ‘yung gagawin ng depensa.’ Parang excited sila kung paano sasalagin o dedepensahan ng kabilang panig ‘yung mga glaring saka malalakas na ebidensya from the prosecution,” Ortega said.
The proceedings have also seen occasional exchanges between the prosecution and some senator-judges, including instances where one member of the impeachment court criticized the prosecution for what they described as a “one-sided” presentation. In light of these exchanges, Ortega said many members of the public hope that everyone involved in the trial upholds the dignity and decorum expected of the impeachment process.
“Ang sagot lang naman po nila ay sana manaig ‘yung respeto at pagiging honorable ng buong institusyon,” Ortega said.
The House prosecution panel recently completed its presentation of evidence on Article IV of the articles of impeachment, which accuses Duterte of committing impeachable offenses through her alleged grave threats against the President, First Lady, and former Speaker.
The Senate Impeachment Court has yet to rule on whether the defense will be required to present its evidence on the same article before the trial proceeds. Should the court allow the proceedings to continue, the prosecution said it is prepared to begin presenting evidence on Article I, which concerns the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
metrosundaily
