By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Lead House prosecutor Gerville Luistro dismissed claims that the prosecution suffered an early setback in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting that the mere commencement of the long-awaited trial represents a significant triumph for constitutional accountability.
Speaking after the Senate’s first day of proceedings on Monday, Luistro said the prosecution considers the opening of the impeachment trial a victory, regardless of the court’s initial rulings on procedural motions.
According to her, the greatest achievement was that the constitutional process had finally begun after months of anticipation, giving the Filipino people an opportunity to see the accountability mechanisms provided under the Constitution put into action.
She praised the Senate Impeachment Court for carrying out its constitutional mandate and allowing the proceedings to formally move forward, saying the start of the trial itself is a win not only for the prosecution but for the public.
The prosecution panel’s optimism came despite the Senate’s rejection of Luistro’s request to immediately read the Articles of Impeachment and arraign Duterte at the opening of the trial.
Luistro had argued that the respondent should be arraigned under the Senate’s impeachment rules. However, defense counsel Sheila Sison countered that such a move was unnecessary because Duterte had already submitted her formal answer and was properly represented by her legal team before the court.
Presiding officer Francis Escudero ruled against the prosecution’s motion, explaining that the Articles of Impeachment had already been incorporated into the court’s records when the case was referred to the Senate. He further said that a plea of not guilty is entered only when a respondent fails to file an answer, a circumstance that did not apply since Duterte had already responded through counsel.
Despite the unfavorable ruling, Luistro maintained that procedural defeats should not be mistaken for losing the case, emphasizing that the trial has now entered its substantive phase.
Fellow prosecutor Chel Diokno likewise cautioned against declaring winners or losers after only the first day of hearings, noting that Monday’s proceedings dealt mainly with procedural and organizational matters rather than the presentation of evidence.
Diokno stressed that the outcome of the impeachment case will ultimately depend on the strength of the evidence and testimony that both sides will present in the coming weeks, not on preliminary motions argued at the outset.
The opening hearing also saw brief exchanges between the prosecution and the defense after Sison questioned whether the House panel was prepared to present its witnesses. Diokno responded by reminding opposing counsel that questions should be directed to the impeachment court rather than to the opposing lawyers. Sison maintained that her remarks were addressed to the court, prompting Escudero to intervene and instruct both parties to proceed with the scheduled hearing.
The impeachment trial stems from articles approved by the House of Representatives accusing Duterte of multiple offenses, including alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Senate Impeachment Court is expected to proceed with the next stages of the trial, where both the prosecution and the defense will begin presenting evidence and witnesses in one of the country’s most closely watched constitutional proceedings.
ia/xf
