Gatchalian: Senate ready for all scenarios

MANILA, Philippines — Ahead of today’s opening of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday said the upper chamber is prepared for all possible scenarios, including her appearance and other events that may cause disruptions.

They include the possible arrest of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing a nonbailable plunder charge before the Sandiganbayan, and Duterte’s supporters holding rallies at the Senate premises, where 6,000 policemen will be deployed.

“We are prepared for all possible scenarios, but I do not want to discuss them in public … all scenarios are being considered, including preparations for rallies,” Gatchalian said in an interview with dzBB.

Article continues after this advertisement

The defense team has yet to issue a notice on whether Duterte plans to attend the first day of the proceedings, but Gatchalian said the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, is ready for any scenario, including last-minute changes.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial: Everything you need to know

“Under the rules, she can send a lawyer or even a representative. That’s possible under the rules. So inviting her is simply part of the process,” Gatchalian said.

‘If I were Sara’

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

On Sunday, the Vice President visited the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer in Bogo City, Cebu, and prayed for the return of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at The Hague, the Netherlands. She did not mention her impeachment trial.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Sara Duterte impeachment: Gatchalian expects all senators to participate

In Vancouver, where he concluded a four-day official visit on Saturday, President Marcos said, if he were Duterte, he would attend the trial to personally clear the accusations thrown against him.

Article continues after this advertisement

“If it [were] me being accused, I would almost insist [on] the advice of lawyers. If they advise me not to appear, I would [still] insist on appearing, because if I could answer the questions, then it’s better if I do it myself,” Mr. Marcos told reporters.

As a former senator-judge during the impeachment trial of the late Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona from December 2011 to May 2012, he said, “It would be much easier to get to the bottom of everything if you can speak to the accused directly.”

The President noted that Duterte, as an accused standing before an impeachment trial, could answer directly, not through secondary channels or through lawyers.

He, however, clarified that this was just his own opinion “and not a legal opinion because I’m not a lawyer.”

‘Friendly gestures’

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

“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.

The Senate President was also asked about the possibility that Marcoleta will be arrested while the trial is ongoing. The senator is facing a plunder charge over his alleged nondisclosure of P75 million in funds from campaign contributions for the 2025 elections.

“I don’t want to preempt what could happen. That’s unfair to Senator Marcoleta because [his case] is already in court and he still has legal remedies that he can use. So it’s not fair for us to talk about it,” Gatchalian said.

He, however, assured the public that the trial will proceed regardless of any eventuality.

“The important thing here is for the trial to begin. As we have said, the most crucial aspect is starting the trial so that the evidence can be brought out and presented to the public, and the witnesses can be heard,” he said. “That is the direction—to reach a decision. As our Constitution mandates, the case must be tried and decided, and this process should be concluded promptly.”

Attendance check

Gatchalian expects all senators, including members of the minority bloc, to participate in the impeachment trial.

“I believe everyone’s attending, because this is part of our job. Everyone also knows that it is good for them to be present so that they can hear for themselves what is happening. And they can participate in the trial, if they want to ask questions to the witnesses or even to the prosecution and defense,” he said.

“It goes without saying that all our senator-judges must be present [during the trial],” he added.

Two senators, however, will not be around: Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, who has been detained in a Quezon City jail in connection with the flood control scandal, and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—unless he decides to make a surprise appearance like he did in May—who has turned fugitive amid a pending arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.

When asked if Estrada had signified intention to participate in the trial, Gatchalian cited the 90-day preventive suspension imposed by the Sandiganbayan against the senator.

Senators held an all-member caucus last Friday, attended by only 10 lawmakers: Gatchalian, JV Ejercito, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Erwin Tulfo, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Vicente Sotto III, Risa Hontiveros, and minority senators Loren Legarda and Robinhood Padilla.

Gatchalian said some minority senators had reached out to him, saying they were unable to attend the meeting because of prior commitments or other important matters.

Asked if Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was among those who reached out to him and congratulated him as the new Senate leader, Gatchalian said “Personally, none yet, but we will get to that point.”

‘Follow proceedings’

Gatchalian also urged the public to monitor the impeachment proceedings to ensure accountability.

“This impeachment trial is part of our accountability process, and it is an important process to ensure that our institutions are functioning properly and that misconduct by public officials is not repeated. So it is important for our countrymen to follow these proceedings,” he said.

Also on Sunday, Sen. Bam Aquino said he will file a motion to release to the public all evidence presented during the trial.

“In the first week, we will file a motion to release all presented evidence to the public,” he said in a statement.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“To our countrymen: watch, be vigilant, and participate. Form your own opinions and be careful of misinformation,” he added. —WITH REPORTS FROM DEXTER CABALZA, ZACARIAN SARAO, KEITH CLORES, AND ANDREA GREGORIO