Senator Calls for Trial Before Impeachment Votes
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized on Tuesday that evidence from both the defense and prosecution must be presented openly before senator-judges cast any votes on motions concerning the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. This call for transparency highlights the need for a fair and public trial process.
During a press briefing, Gatchalian insisted that the trial must officially begin before motions—whether to dismiss the impeachment or otherwise—are entertained. The senator stressed the importance of holding the trial openly to hear arguments from all sides, ensuring the public follows the proceedings closely.
Evidence Presentation Is Crucial
“The trial needs to begin because, at this time, no evidence or arguments have been presented. Whatever the defense or prosecution wants to raise, we should discuss it publicly,” Gatchalian said in Filipino. He underscored that transparency is vital to maintain public trust in the judicial process.
When asked if evidence presentation must precede any voting, Gatchalian replied that arguments should be aired publicly first, saying, “Before you vote on it? If we would vote on it,” he added, cautious not to preempt decisions that will unfold on the Senate floor.
Senate Leadership on Impeachment Procedures
Senate President Francis Escudero previously remarked that the impeachment court could decide by a simple majority whether to dismiss the case against Duterte. According to Escudero, any motion filed requires at least 13 votes to pass.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s legal team filed a 35-page answer ad cautelam, urging the dismissal of the impeachment complaint. They labeled the case as “void ab initio,” meaning it was invalid from the start, sources said.
For more news and updates on impeachment proceedings, visit Filipinokami.com.