The House prosecution panel described the first week of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as a positive start but cautioned the public against viewing the proceedings as a contest based on motions, objections, or perceived courtroom victories.
After three days of hearings focused on the impeachment article alleging grave threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, prosecutors said the outcome would depend on the strength of evidence presented before the Senate impeachment court.
House impeachment prosecutor and San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said the prosecution was satisfied with its performance during the opening week, although she stopped short of declaring that the panel had gained momentum.
“No, I wouldn’t say that, but I would say that it was a good week for the prosecution,” Zamora said when asked if the prosecution had secured an advantage in the proceedings.
Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who serves as an adviser and spokesperson for the prosecution panel, urged the public not to make early conclusions based on the initial hearings.
“Umpisa pa lang naman ng ‘boxing,’ ika nga. Kumbaga kung sa basketball, first quarter pa lang ito (It’s only the start of ‘boxing,’ so they say. Like in basketball, it’s only in the first quarter),” Barbers said.
He said the trial remains in its early stage and that both the prosecution and defense still have opportunities to present their arguments and evidence before the senator-judges.
House prosecutor and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez also warned against treating the proceedings as a tally of successful objections, motions, or exchanges between lawyers.
“In addition to that, and I think we’ve noticed that since Day 1, like if we look at public perception, naging tally na ‘yung nangyayari dito, nagbibilangan ng puntos kumbaga (what’s happening here already became a tally, like points are being counted),” Gutierrez said.
“But I think it’s very important to remember that this is not the process — the whole process of impeachment trial.”
Gutierrez said the senator-judges should assess the case based on the quality of arguments, relevance of questions, and whether the evidence and testimonies presented during the proceedings support the allegations.
He said the prosecution cannot determine whether it has already established its case because that decision rests solely with the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
“As to whether or not that was achieved for the prosecution this week, we cannot say. Of course, that’s on the merits, and it’s up to our senator-judges,” Gutierrez said.
He added that the prosecution’s goal is to present evidence supporting the Articles of Impeachment while allowing the senator-judges and the public to evaluate the case.
The panel also addressed attention drawn to the frequent objections raised during the cross-examination of its first witness, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent John Mark Calilung, after Senate President Pro Tempore Francis “Chiz” Escudero remarked that private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan appeared “frustrated.”
Zamora said objections are a normal part of trial proceedings and should not be interpreted as signs of weakness or frustration.
“In any court case, in any trial, nangyayari naman po yan talaga (this really happens) between lawyers,” she said.
She added that trials are not won by the number of motions granted by the court, saying the more important factor is how lawyers present and establish their arguments.
“Siguro gusto namin din ipaalam sa lahat na ang isang trial hindi napapanalunan sa dami ng mga motion mong nag-grant ng judge o ng justice (Perhaps we want to show to everyone that a trial is not won by the number of your motions granted by the judge or justice),” Zamora said.
She also pointed out that the defense raised several objections during the proceedings, saying both sides were simply performing their duties as legal representatives.
Gutierrez agreed, saying objections are expected because lawyers are tasked to protect the interests of their respective sides.
The impeachment trial formally began on July 6, with the Senate impeachment court resolving preliminary matters, electing Escudero as presiding officer, and hearing opening statements from both the prosecution and defense.
Duterte is facing four impeachment charges involving alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption, and grave threats. She has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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