Only present senators should vote in VP case
Manila Rep. Joel Chua on Saturday said that he believes that only the senator-judges participating in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should decide on her conviction or acquittal, given the current composition of the Senate.
This is what Chua answered if the House prosecution panel thinks that the number of senators participating in the trial will be an issue, as Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is arrested over plunder charges, while Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remains hiding amid his arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
This was what Chua said when asked whether the number of senators participating in the trial would be an issue, given that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada is detained on plunder charges and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is in hiding to evade an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on May 11 on four grounds: alleged misuse of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd); alleged unexplained wealth; alleged distribution of monetary gifts or payments to DepEd officials; assassination threats against President Marcos, first lady Liza Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Second lead prosecutor
Chua, a member of the 11-member House prosecution panel, was designated as the second lead prosecutor handling Article I—alleged misuse of confidential funds; and lead prosecutor for Article III—distribution of monetary gifts to high-ranking officials of DepEd.
Chua said that the impeachment trial could not be likened to ordinary Senate legislative measures, and that the impeachment court was more akin to a court hearing.
“It can be compared to a court hearing where the judge can assess the demeanor of the witness if they are saying the truth or not. Part of their judgment rendering is based on mannerism on the conduct of witnesses in the witness stand,” he said.
He reiterated that it is important for senator-judges to assess the demeanor of the witnesses and to determine if they are lying or not.
He said that the issue of the number of senators participating could be raised in the Supreme Court, but noted that the presence of a quorum could be applied on this matter.
