The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte can proceed under Acting Senate President Win Gatchalian unless the Supreme Court issues a temporary restraining order, House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro said.
Luistro said the House prosecution panel is moving forward with its preparations despite the Senate leadership dispute, noting that the trial calendar is already approaching.
“Definitely anyone can go to the Supreme Court at ang petition nila, kagaya sa impeachment, puwede may prayer din for issuance of TRO. No one can stop that,” Luistro said.
But she stressed that a court petition alone does not stop the proceedings.
“Pero hangga’t walang TRO na na-i-issue against the new leadership, I think they can proceed. First, may basis,” she said.
Luistro said the Gatchalian leadership has already been recognized by the House of Representatives and the Executive, giving prosecutors the basis to continue under the new Senate leadership.
“Second, recognized na sila ng House, as well as the Executive represented by Malacañang,” Luistro said.
She said the prosecution panel is preparing for the June 15 deadline for pretrial briefs and the June 18 pretrial conference under the original Senate schedule.
“June 15, from the original timeline na nilabas nila sa media, June 15 is the deadline for filing of pretrial brief,” she said.
“June 18, we’re supposed to appear there for pretrial conference. So, it’s less than two weeks,” she added.
Luistro said the prosecution team cannot allow the Senate turmoil to paralyze the impeachment process, which she described as a constitutional proceeding that must move forward unless legally restrained.
“As lead prosecutor, dapat kampante lagi tayo. I mean, amid the apprehensions which are originating from all the irregularities and commotions that are happening in the Senate, we have a lot of reasons to stay positive and to continue believing that this will push through and hopefully without delay,” Luistro said.