Palace expecting evidence-based verdict in Sara Duterte impeach trial

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said it expects the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to yield a decision based on the evidence and not to protect any politician, as doing so would be a betrayal to Filipinos.

The Senate impeachment court will conduct 92 trial days to hear the case against Duterte. The first three days of proceedings concluded on Wednesday.

READ: Palace on Marcos’ alleged influence on DOJ: ‘Lowest kind of argument’

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“The expectation is probably not only that of the Palace or the Executive, but also of the Filipino people. We expect, first and foremost, that they will uphold the law, conduct the hearings or trial in accordance with the established rules and procedures, and arrive at a decision based on the evidence,” said Palace press officer Claire Castro.

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“This is for the benefit of the Filipino people, not to save a politician. Even if there is substantial evidence, if we still choose to protect that person, it would be a betrayal of the people,” she added.

While Malacañang has no mandate to assess the proceedings, Castro said the initial days of the impeachment trial appear to have proceeded in an orderly manner.

“The President’s request in all circumstances is for everyone to follow the law and the proper process. Based on what we have seen and read, it appears that the hearings in the Senate are proceeding in an orderly manner, Castro said.

Impeachment trial to proceed

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Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the trial will proceed because the Supreme Court did not issue a temporary restraining order to stop the same.

Israelito Torreon and eight other fellow lawyers, who are known to be allied with Duterte, filed a petition asking the high tribunal to issue a temporary restraining order or a status quo ante order against the impeachment trial after senator-judges elected Francis Escudero as presiding officer.

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“I can’t discuss the merits of the case because it’s already before the court. But I’ve read their petition. They sought a status quo ante order and a temporary restraining order, which the Supreme Court did not grant,” Gatchalian said in Filipino when asked about the filing over dzMM.

Meanwhile, Duterte’s defense counsel Michael Poa said they were unaware of the petition filed before the Supreme Court. /gsg

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