A CIVIC group is planning to set up a parallel “people’s court” during the possible Senate impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and will seek permission to hold it within the Senate premises, its leader said Saturday.
Jaime Regalario, chairman of Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya (MKE), said the group intends to establish a “people’s counterpart—people’s court” that will run alongside the official hearings.
“Binabalak, pinag-uusapan na namin sa KM8, kasama sila, ‘yung ilang obispo at mga kaparian ng ilang kongregasyon na magtayo ng parang people’s counterpart – people’s court na habang nagsasagawa ng pandinig doon sa loob ng Senado magtatayo kami ng People’s Court,” Regalario told the Saturday Media Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
Regalario said the group is open to holding the proceedings outside the Senate gates but would prefer to be allowed inside the compound.
“Maski na sa outside the gate, if they will allow us doon sa loob ng gate the better kakausapin ko si Senate President Tito Sotto kung pwede kaming doon na lang sa may mga puno na hindi mainit,” Regalario said.
Regalario said they plan to mirror the Senate proceedings by obtaining and presenting the same pieces of evidence before their forum.
“Regalario said that they will obtain copies of the evidence that will be presented in the Senate and will also present it at the People’s Court or hukumang bayan, doing both simultaneously while the Senate is in session.”
He added that the initiative aims to bring the proceedings closer to the public, with participation from various sectors and mass mobilization.
“Ang kaibahan nung gagawin namin, represented ‘yung mga sektor ng mamamayan at may mass mobilization na ibig sabihin na may mga tao talagang makikinig doon sa labas,” Regalario said.
The group is also looking to invite former members of the judiciary to take part in the proceedings.
“Pipilitin naming makakuha din ng mga dating justices at isang chief justice at isang administrative court justice,” he said, adding that personalities such as former Chief Justices Maria Lourdes Sereno and Reynato Puno and other retired magistrates may be tapped.
Regalario said the “People’s Court” will serve as a form of public oversight and accountability, even if its findings differ from the Senate.
“Kung mali kami sasabihin ng Senado mali kayo pero ‘pag mali naman sila magmo-mobilize kami para sabihing mali kayo so may balance,” Regalario said.
Regalario rejected concerns that the initiative could be considered a “kangaroo court,” saying it is a legitimate exercise of citizens’ participation.
“Karapatan natin ‘yun, parang isang uri ng pagbabantay, na hindi natutulog ‘yung tao doon sa nangyayari sa Senado… may maglalahad pa rin ng mga ebidensya at maglalahad ng mga katotohanan doon sa People’s Court,” Regalario said.
The group plans to launch the initiative once the Senate begins its impeachment hearings.
“Isasabay namin doon sa hearing kung mag-umpisa sila sa Senado mag-uumpisa rin kami,” Regalario said.
