The Impeachment Saga: Day 39 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Trial
As the sun rose on the 39th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, anticipation hung thick in the air. Originally, today was meant to focus on scheduling the remaining proceedings. Yet, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when the prosecution made a bold announcement.
A Bold Move
In a surprising turn, they asked the Senate impeachment court to drop three out of the four original articles of impeachment. Instead, the prosecution wanted to focus solely on Article 2, which accuses Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth by failing to declare crucial assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). They also argued that she neglected to divest from business interests, violating the Constitution.
This decision meant that allegations of misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family were set aside.
The Weight of Evidence
The prosecution’s move came after a week of gripping testimonies from various financial regulators, bank and insurance officials, and tax authorities. One key witness was lawyer-accountant Alexander Cabrera, who shed light on claims that Duterte and her husband had accumulated anywhere between P817 million to P1.5 billion in unexplained wealth.
The Senate impeachment court quickly granted this motion, referencing a similar precedent from the infamous 2012 trial of then Chief Justice Renato Corona, where multiple articles were also dropped based on the evidence presented.
A Sense of Urgency
House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro, representing Batangas, spoke passionately about their decision. “We understand the public’s pressing need for a verdict. This impeachment has been two years in the making,” she explained. They were now adamantly focused on Article 2, believing they had enough evidence to justify the removal of Duterte from office for a “culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.”
“We owe it to the Filipino people to deliver justice,” Luistro said, determination echoing in her voice.
Diverging Opinions
However, not everyone was on board with this decision. Senator-judge Alan Cayetano and defense attorney Sheila Sison voiced their concerns. Cayetano remarked, “Impeachment should not be rushed; it doesn’t adhere to a timeline.” Sison argued that allowing the prosecution to sidestep some charges left an imbalance. “They get to keep the benefits of their accusations without facing a fair chance to test them,” she said, her tone filled with concern.
Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan didn’t hold back either, retorting, “The true victim here is the public. While the Vice President plays the victim, she refuses to defend herself in court.” Her passionate response fueled the ongoing debate.
The Court’s Decision
Following the permission to drop the three articles, presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero addressed the court. He lifted the sub judice, or gag order, surrounding those withdrawn charges. However, he reminded everyone that the senator-judges would reflect on this ruling before making a final decision.
As the day drew to a close, Escudero outlined the schedule for November:
– November 9: Trial starts at 10 a.m., breaks for the Senate session, and resumes afterward.
– November 10-13, 19, 20: Whole days dedicated to the trial starting at 10 a.m.
– November 23: Limited session from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The stage is set. The drama that unfolds in the coming days will undoubtedly shape the course of Duterte’s political future and leave an indelible mark on the nation. Will justice be served? Only time will tell.
