House legal spokesperson and private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. urged Filipinos to reserve judgment on the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte until both the prosecution and the defense have presented their evidence before the Senate impeachment court.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Tolosa appealed to the public to closely follow the proceedings and allow the constitutional process to take its course before forming conclusions on the case.
“Pinapakiusap po namin sa ating mga kababayan, sundan ho natin nang mabuti ‘yung paglilitis na ito at hinihingi ho namin na ipagpaliban muna natin sa pagkakataong ito na gumawa ng mga opinyon o pagpapasya tungkol dito sa bagay na ito,” Tolosa said.
He said the impeachment trial should be decided based on the evidence presented by both sides, the Constitution, and the truth.
“Ang gawin ho natin, pare-pareho nating pakinggan at suriin nang mabuti ang ebidensya. Para sa dulo ho, siguraduhin nating pare-pareho ang magiging resulta ng impeachment case na ito na nakabatay ho doon sa ebidensya na parehong ilalatag ng magkabilang panig na nauukol sa Konstitusyon at higit sa lahat ho ang katotohanan,” he said.
Atty. Dino de Leon of the civic initiative Bantay Senado backed Tolosa’s appeal, saying the group is not calling for Duterte’s conviction but is urging Filipinos to respect the process and assess the case based on evidence.
“Kami po, ang aming panawagan, hindi kami nagsasabing convict na. Malinaw po ’yan sa Bantay Senado. Ang sinasabi po namin sa Bantay Senado, respetuhin natin ang proseso, tingnan natin at magdesisyon tayo batay sa ebidensya,” De Leon said.
De Leon said Bantay Senado has been conducting community outreach activities and plans to organize watch parties in churches, barangays, coffee shops, and public markets to encourage Filipinos to follow the impeachment proceedings.
He said the group’s website will also carry scorecards and analyses evaluating the performance of senator-judges, the prosecution, and the defense during the trial.
Duterte’s impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 6, with opening statements from both the prosecution and the defense expected on the first day.
The Senate impeachment court is also expected to resolve several pending procedural motions before the presentation of evidence begins.