House prosecutors urged all 24 senators to attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying their presence is necessary to fulfill their constitutional duty and represent the Filipino people in the proceedings.
At a news conference, the prosecution panel said senator-judges must personally hear the evidence to be presented by the House and take part in rendering judgment after trial.
“Let us remember that this is their constitutional duty as well. Kung ang 11 prosecutors ay merong tungkulin sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas to appear before the impeachment court and present the evidence for the prosecution, mayroon din pong constitutional duty ang 24 senators,” lead prosecutor and House justice committee chairperson Gerville Luistro said.
The panel said public discussions over the Senate quorum should also consider the practical issue of whether absent senator-judges can fully perform their role in the impeachment court.
“Marami pong legal arguments ang nagci-circulate at napapanuod natin, but in addition to that let us consider as well the practical reason that if the senator-judge is absent, how can he truly represent the Filipino people?” the solon said.
“It is therefore my humble position na dapat present lahat ng 24 senators, that is, if they are intending to respond to their constitutional mandate,” she added.
Two senators are currently unable to attend regular Senate proceedings: one is reportedly in hiding due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, while another is under detention in connection with a plunder case related to the flood control controversy.
Their absence has also affected the balance of forces in the Senate and contributed to the continuing leadership dispute in the chamber.
Asked how the public would react if the impasse further delayed the impeachment trial, prosecutors warned that frustration could grow, citing public interest in the proceedings.
“Magagalit ang mga tao. ’Yun ang klaro,” Luistro said, noting that a recent survey showed 74 percent of Filipinos wanted the trial to proceed.
Another member of the prosecution panel said Filipinos have long been waiting for the evidence to be presented and for the truth behind the allegations to be established.
“Matagal nang hinihintay ng sambayanang Pilipino ang ebidensya at malaman ang katotohanan dito sa impeachment case na ito. At dapat wala nang maging sagabal sa trial sa Senado,” the House lead prosecutor said.