A member of the House prosecution panel expressed concern on Friday that Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s proposal to begin the impeachment trial on July 30 could compromise prosecution evidence and witnesses.
“Nirerespeto natin ‘yung ating Senate president… [S]iyempre tinitingnan din po namin ‘yung mga ebidensya na nakalap po namin. Eh ‘yung tampering of evidence, isa po ‘yan. Pangalawa po, ‘yung mga testigo natin… baka mamaya ‘pag tumatagal, medyo marami po d’yan ang matakot,” Manila Rep. Joel Chua said.
He said this five-month wait could affect the witnesses’ confidence in testifying.
Chua further stated that commencing the trial in the 20th Congress, after the 19th Congress concludes on June 30, could raise additional legal concerns regarding the impeachment process.
“Gusto natin na matapos na ito, para at least hindi na tayo ma-open sa kung anu-ano pa po mga legal maneuverings na gagawin po ng kabilang kampo,“ he said.
He stated that the prosecution panel has yet to formally decide whether to submit their concerns in writing.
Uncertainty surrounding the composition of the House prosecution panel after the May elections was not mentioned during the press conference.
On Thursday, Escudero explained that his proposed schedule is based on jurisprudence, which defines “forthwith” as “within a reasonable time, which may be longer or shorter depending on the circumstances of each case.”
The Senate president also pointed out the delay between filing the first impeachment complaint last December and transmitting the fourth complaint to the Senate earlier this month.
“Hindi po natin po pwedeng iparehas ‘yung obligasyon ng Senado at saka ng House. Kasi po, sa House po, para po kami piskal, kami po ang nag-build up ng kaso… ‘Yung isinampa po namin, ito po ay pinag-aralan, ito po ay pinagsama-sama na matitibay po at solid ang mga ebidensya,” Chua said.
He asserted that the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, has a more “ministerial” role in ensuring the trial moves forward.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives formed a secretariat to offer technical and administrative assistance to its prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
