Cayetano to impeach court: Ask Sandigan to allow Marcoleta, Estrada to attend trial

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday asked the Senate impeachment court to “communicate” with the Sandiganbayan to allow Sens. Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada to attend Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial.

“May I ask members of this court, through the presiding justice, to consider … communication with the Sandiganbayan for the attendance of Sens. Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada,” said Cayetano during the first day of the trial.

Both Marcoleta and Estrada face plunder and multiple cases of graft before the Sandiganbayan.

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According to Cayetano, he made the request after Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero—who now serves as the court’s presiding officer—maintained that 16 votes are required to convict Duterte in the trial.

“Considering that if they do not attend at all and cannot vote, their vote will be equal to acquittal—and, as we said from the start, we want a fair impeachment trial,” said Cayetano.

“… allowing them to attend here might add to the integrity of the proceeding, and actually make things easier when the time comes to render a verdict,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, for his part, partially agreed to Cayetano’s request—and suggested to instead allow both Marcoleta and Estrada to monitor or watch the proceedings through television or a livecast.

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Escudero, for his part, noted the request, and said he would consult the senator-judges on the matter. /apl

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