Gatchalian chairs pre-trial caucus amid renewed questions over impeachment court leadership
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was set to begin Monday afternoon as both the defense and prosecution teams arrived at the Senate, while political maneuvering over the leadership of the impeachment court continued behind the scenes.
The Vice President’s legal team, led by Attorneys Tizon and Michael Poa, proceeded directly to their designated holding room upon arrival and declined to answer questions from members of the media.
Their arrival came under stricter media protocols ordered by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, who directed that hallways leading to the Senate session hall and the holding rooms remain orderly and free from media ambush interviews.
Meanwhile, members of the House prosecution panel arrived as early as 10 a.m. and conducted a press briefing before final preparations for the afternoon proceedings.
The Senate session hall remained closed until shortly before the scheduled 2 p.m. opening of the impeachment court.
Earlier in the day, Gatchalian convened a caucus of senators belonging to the majority bloc to discuss preparations for the impeachment proceedings.
Among those who attended were Senators Panfilo Lacson, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Lito Lapid, Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Koko Pimentel and Juan Ponce Enrile.
However, Senators Joel Villanueva and Francis Escudero were absent from the meeting.
Sources said one of the issues discussed during the caucus was whether Gatchalian should continue serving as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
Leadership Question Persists
Although Gatchalian has repeatedly maintained that, as Senate President, he is the rightful presiding officer of the impeachment court, speculation persists that some senators may push for the election of another presiding officer.
Escudero has been floated as a possible alternative because of his legal background and his membership in the Senate majority.
The proposal, however, is expected to face stiff resistance from the minority bloc.
Senator Robin Padilla earlier said he would oppose any move to replace Gatchalian, adding that the minority bloc would reject such an initiative.
The issue comes amid continuing tensions within the Senate following the June 3 leadership reorganization that resulted in the removal of Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President.
Cayetano has since challenged the legality of the leadership change before the Supreme Court, leaving unresolved political questions that continue to cast a shadow over the historic impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
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