Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said he has begun consulting with justices to prepare in case he presides over the impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte.
Sotto said his focus is on fully understanding the rules of evidence and criminal procedure, which he described as crucial in impeachment proceedings.
“I am being briefed by some justices friends because I would want to concentrate on how to be the presiding officer of an impeachment court pagdating sa rules of evidence at saka sa rules on criminal procedures,” Sotto said in a Zoom interview.
He emphasized the need for clarity in handling evidence, noting the complexity of impeachment cases.
“‘Yan ang pinakamahalaga sa impeachment eh. Kailangan maliwanag ang pananaw mo sa rules of evidence dahil maraming magagaling na abugadong nagpapasa ng kung anu ano sa’yo at sa court,” he added.
On Monday, two impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte, citing betrayal of public trust, constitutional violations, graft, bribery, and other high crimes. These were transmitted to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Thursday.
Sotto said the Senate is ready should a consolidated complaint reach the chamber.
“As a senator, you must be aware of, whether you’re a lawyer or not, you must be aware of what is acceptable in the rules of evidence… you must prepare in case there is an article of impeachment that reaches us,” he said.
Asked whether the process would differ from past impeachment trials, Sotto said established procedures would still apply.
“Wala naman akong nakikitang dapat kaibihan eh. You follow the procedures at saka kapag may controversial, you throw it to the body. So wala akong nakikita ang pagkakaiba dapat,” he added.