Prosecutors hold Sara Duterte mock impeachment trial: House SecGen | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Prosecutors hold Sara Duterte mock impeachment trial: House SecGen
Prosecutors hold Sara Duterte mock impeachment trial: House SecGen
Jamaine Punzalan,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 19, 2025 11:11 AM PHT
|
Updated Mar 19, 2025 01:16 PM PHT
Vice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference on February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Vice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference on February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — The prosecution team has started practicing for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Wednesday.
MANILA — The prosecution team has started practicing for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said Wednesday.
“Kahapon po, I was informed na nagkaroon na sila (prosecutors) ng mock trial,” Velasco said.
“Kahapon po, I was informed na nagkaroon na sila (prosecutors) ng mock trial,” Velasco said.
“Ginagawa ho lahat ito ng mga abogado prior to the trial…para makita nila ang actual flow ng deliberations, testimonies during po the actual trial,” he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
“Ginagawa ho lahat ito ng mga abogado prior to the trial…para makita nila ang actual flow ng deliberations, testimonies during po the actual trial,” he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
Duterte is facing a Senate trial on charges of "violation of the constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption and other high crimes".
Duterte is facing a Senate trial on charges of "violation of the constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption and other high crimes".
ADVERTISEMENT
Sixteen votes in the 24-seat Senate are needed to deliver a conviction that would bar her from public office, including a presidential run she says she is "seriously considering".
Sixteen votes in the 24-seat Senate are needed to deliver a conviction that would bar her from public office, including a presidential run she says she is "seriously considering".
About 2 or 3 prosecutors are assigned for each of the 7 articles of impeachment against Duterte, Velasco noted.
About 2 or 3 prosecutors are assigned for each of the 7 articles of impeachment against Duterte, Velasco noted.
“There will be private prosecutors involved,” he said. “Pwede rin po namin yung mga former congressman o former senators na abogado po, makakatulong po 'yan.”
“There will be private prosecutors involved,” he said. “Pwede rin po namin yung mga former congressman o former senators na abogado po, makakatulong po 'yan.”
“Kailangan po nila ng may mga experience sa trial at magaling na researchers,” the official added.
“Kailangan po nila ng may mga experience sa trial at magaling na researchers,” the official added.
Two private lawyers are helping senators prepare the impeachment trial, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr said.
Two private lawyers are helping senators prepare the impeachment trial, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr said.
"Right now, we have two regulars who have been helping us get refreshed sa Rules of Court, especially sa mga latest rules on trial procedure," he said.
"Right now, we have two regulars who have been helping us get refreshed sa Rules of Court, especially sa mga latest rules on trial procedure," he said.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the prosecution team was prepared to present their case as soon as the impeachment court is convened.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the prosecution team was prepared to present their case as soon as the impeachment court is convened.
“Ang report sa akin ng mga House prosecutors, handa na sila na mag-present ng kaso anomang oras buksan ang Impeachment Court,” he said in a press release.
“Ang report sa akin ng mga House prosecutors, handa na sila na mag-present ng kaso anomang oras buksan ang Impeachment Court,” he said in a press release.
Duterte’s impeachment trial may begin on July 30, according to a timetable proposed by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who also said House prosecutors could present the article of impeachment to the Senate when Congress returns from break on June 2.
Duterte’s impeachment trial may begin on July 30, according to a timetable proposed by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who also said House prosecutors could present the article of impeachment to the Senate when Congress returns from break on June 2.
“Sa June 2 po, ang sinabi sa aming plano -- plano lang po ito ng ating mga senador -- they will approve it sa plenary, yung new impeachment rules… There might be some additional amendments na kailanga pong aprubahan sa rules of impeachment that will govern the trial proper itself,” Velasco said.
“Sa June 2 po, ang sinabi sa aming plano -- plano lang po ito ng ating mga senador -- they will approve it sa plenary, yung new impeachment rules… There might be some additional amendments na kailanga pong aprubahan sa rules of impeachment that will govern the trial proper itself,” Velasco said.
“Pag na-approve po yun, magkakaroon ng oathtaking sila as incoming judges, senator-judges,” he added.
“Pag na-approve po yun, magkakaroon ng oathtaking sila as incoming judges, senator-judges,” he added.
Velasco on Tuesday inspected the Senate premises that would be allocated to the prosecution team.
Velasco on Tuesday inspected the Senate premises that would be allocated to the prosecution team.
“We will continue to work closely with the Senate to ensure a fair, transparent, and credible impeachment trial,” Romualdez said.
“We will continue to work closely with the Senate to ensure a fair, transparent, and credible impeachment trial,” Romualdez said.
Duterte and a group of lawyers have filed separate petitions at the Supreme Cour to challenge her impeachment, which they said had been unconstitutionally rushed through without proper oversight.
Duterte and a group of lawyers have filed separate petitions at the Supreme Cour to challenge her impeachment, which they said had been unconstitutionally rushed through without proper oversight.
"There was no proper deliberation. There was no proper discussion," lawyer and petitioner Israelito Torreon said in February.
"There was no proper deliberation. There was no proper discussion," lawyer and petitioner Israelito Torreon said in February.
"The VP was not even summoned to answer for the alleged allegations ... so there was no due process at all."
"The VP was not even summoned to answer for the alleged allegations ... so there was no due process at all."
The allegations against Duterte include an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The allegations against Duterte include an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte has insisted that the assassination charge, stemming from an expletive-laden broadcast in which she claimed to have instructed a man to kill Marcos were she to be killed first, was simply venting frustration with the administration.
Duterte has insisted that the assassination charge, stemming from an expletive-laden broadcast in which she claimed to have instructed a man to kill Marcos were she to be killed first, was simply venting frustration with the administration.
Her office’s use of confidential funds was also among the articles of impeachment filed by the House of Representatives before the Senate. Duterte had denied allegations of corruption and fund misuse, saying the claims were part of political persecution.
Her office’s use of confidential funds was also among the articles of impeachment filed by the House of Representatives before the Senate. Duterte had denied allegations of corruption and fund misuse, saying the claims were part of political persecution.
— With reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News; Agence France-Presse
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
