Panel insists Constitution requires full presentation of evidence before Senate can render judgment
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The House prosecution panel on Monday firmly opposed any attempt to delay or terminate the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before the presentation of evidence, insisting that the Constitution guarantees a full trial before any verdict can be reached.
During a press briefing ahead of the opening of the impeachment proceedings, Atty. Benjamin Tolosa, legal spokesperson and trial prosecutor for the House prosecution team, stressed that the Senate impeachment court must proceed without unnecessary obstacles.
Tolosa said any move to dismiss the case before the prosecution is allowed to present its evidence would run contrary to the Constitution.
“The impeachment process requires that evidence be presented before judgment is rendered,” he said, emphasizing that both the prosecution and the defense must be given the opportunity to fully argue their respective cases.
House Trial Spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong echoed the position, saying it would be improper to terminate the case before senators have even heard the evidence.
“It is wrong to kill the case before the evidence is presented,” Adiong said.
He added that the public expects the impeachment proceedings to continue so that the issues raised in the complaint can be thoroughly examined and resolved.
“The Filipino people want the trial to proceed and reach a proper conclusion. They do not want the case dismissed simply because the allegations have yet to be answered,” he said.
Adiong stressed that the evidence presented during the trial should serve as the sole basis for the decision of the senator-judges.
Meanwhile, Raoul Manuel of the Kabataan Party-list said the prosecution does not want the impeachment complaint to fail merely because of procedural or technical issues.
“We do not want this impeachment case to die because of technicalities,” Manuel said.
Members of the House prosecution panel gathered at the House of Representatives ahead of the opening of the impeachment court, while support staff finalized preparations for the first day of the proceedings.
House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil was seen coordinating activities as prosecutors assembled before heading to the Senate.
Despite expectations of a historic opening, lawmakers acknowledged that the first day of the impeachment trial would likely focus on preliminary matters, including manifestations, procedural motions, and other issues raised by both the prosecution and the defense.
The presentation of evidence is expected to begin only after the Senate impeachment court resolves the initial procedural concerns.
ia/xf
