Gatchalian: Senate ready if Duterte attends impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the chamber is prepared should Vice President Sara Duterte attend her impeachment trial, which begins Monday.

While Duterte’s camp has yet to issue an advisory on whether she plans to attend the first day of the proceedings, Gatchalian said the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, is ready for any scenario, including last-minute changes.

“Under the rules, she can send a lawyer or even a representative. That’s possible under the rules. So inviting her is just part of the process,” Gatchalian said in an interview with radio dzBB on Sunday.

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“It seems like there’s suspense too, right? … It’s not unusual that coordination happens on the day itself, even a few hours before the proceedings. Sometimes, it happens at the last minute. But we’re preparing for everything if our vice president decides to go to the Senate. We’re also prepared and coordinating with the police,” he added.

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READ: Palace: Better for Sara Duterte to appear in person at impeachment trial

Duterte’s lawyer, Michael Poa, said in a previous interview that the vice president is ready to appear “if necessary” during the trial.

If Duterte appears, Gatchalian said senator-judges must refrain from making friendly gestures to welcome the vice president while the proceedings are ongoing.

“That will not happen during the proceedings, unlike during our sessions. During the session, senators usually stand to greet guests. That won’t happen during the trial because this is a formal proceeding, a quasi-judicial, quasi-political proceeding. So it won’t happen that we will stand up and shake hands with the vice president,” he said.

“But we also can’t stop senators from making friendly gestures after the proceedings. We can’t stop that because she is still the vice president,” he added. /mcm

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