‘Wait is over’: House prosecution ready for Sara Duterte’s trial

MANILA — The House of Representatives prosecution panel declared itself fully prepared for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, asserting that proceedings will begin without delay on July 6.

In a news forum on Saturday, Manila 3rd District Rep. and House prosecution panel member Joel Chua said, “Sa ngayon, wala naman akong nakikita pang delay na mangyayari, dahil two days na lang, sa Lunes na, at mismo ‘yung ating Senate President ay nag-issue na ng kanilang mga summon (At present, I don’t see any delay happening because it will happen two days from now, it’s already Monday, and the Senate President himself had already issued summons).”

“Tingin ko naman, ang Senado ay puspusan na rin ang paghahanda. So, any delay, tingin ko ay magiging katawa-tawa na (I think the Senate is also making thorough preparations. So, any delay would be laughable),” he added.

Chua said the trial will begin with an opening statement by both camps. On Day 1 itself, the prosecution team is hopeful the impeachment court would be able to resolve their pending motions, including the use of the Filipino language during proceedings.

READ: Impeachment court summons Sara Duterte to first day of her impeachment trial

“Isa pa na inaantay natin lahat ay ‘yyng pagbubukas ng mahiwagang box na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nabubuksan at namamarkahan. Kaya inaasahan natin na ito ay mareresolba na sa darating na Lunes (Another thing we are all waiting for is the opening of the box, which remains unopened and unmarked to this day. We expect this matter to be resolved this coming Monday),” he said.

Chua was referring to the sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue box containing Duterte’s tax records, which the House panel said will establish whether the Vice President’s declared assets, liabilities and lawful income are consistent with one another.

Duterte’s camp had expressed its willingness to open it, but only in an executive session.

READ: VP Duterte trial: 4 of 5 Filipinos doubt senators will stick to evidence

Chua questioned the need for a confidential session, adding that the intention of the impeachment trial itself is accountability and transparency.

“Hindi na ito hearing ng committee level in aid of legislation. Ito ay impeachment trial na. Kumbaga, ma-ihahalintulad na natin ito sa isang korte (This is no longer a committee level hearing in aid of legislation. W are now in an impeachment trial. In a sense, we can liken it to a court of law),” he said.

READ: Senators gather in caucus to tackle Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial

Sara Duterte trial: A defining moment

Human rights lawyer Dino De Leon, who is part of the watchdog Bantay Senado, said the trial will serve as a “defining moment for the rule of law in the Philippines.”

“First, the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, must prove that no one is above the constitution,” he said.

“The coming impeachment trial will be one of the most important constitutional exercises in our democracy. It is a test not only of the allegations against the Vice President, but for the Senate itself, whether it will act as an independent impeachment court that faithfully upholds the constitution and will decide based on evidence,” he added.

Bantay Senado, he added, urges the Senate impeachment court to compel Duterte to appear at her trial.

“The Senate must be prepared to exercise all the powers granted to it under the constitution, including compelling the attendance of the Vice President whenever necessary,” he said. (PNA)

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